MATCH REPORT

Salford City Reds 14-10 Bradford Bulls

The Willows, Salford

Saturday 21 July, 6pm

Super League XII - Round 21

Bradford's hopes of a confidence-boosting win before Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens were shattered by bottom club Salford.

The Reds moved a point behind Hull KR after a shock but deserved victory inspired by Luke Robinson.

Salford included new captures Mike Wainwright and Richie Barnett from Warrington alongside Castleford's Tommy Saxton and they all played their part in a battling effort.

The Reds, who had won only one of their three matches since Shaun McRae succeeded axed Karl Harrison, were forced to move for reinforcements with Paul Highton, David Hodgson, Lee Jewitt, Ian Sibbit, Mark Edmondson and Karl Fitzpatrick sidelined.

McRae dropped Luke Dorn to sub but Bradford were lacking only Jamie Langley as they chased their seventh win in eight games.

Salford, who were thrashed 56-18 at Odsal in March, started brightly although David Solomona was held up over Reds line.

Bradford had a let-off with Marcus St Hilaire forced to clear from Robinson's kick before the Bulls had a Tame Tupou try ruled out for Solomona's forward pass.

Michael Korkidas and Andy Coley caused problems for Bradford with their forceful surges before the Reds snatched the lead with video referee Ashley Klein ruling Gray Viane just managed to touch down from another probing Robinson kick.

John Wilshere's touchline conversion bounced in off the post to fire his side into an unexpected 6-0 lead after 21 minutes.

Wilshere slotted over a penalty just before the break to make it 8-0 when Paul Deacon was adjudged to have obstructed the Salford marksman chasing Robinson's kick.

Bradford were in more determined mood from the restart and Deacon's 40-20 allowed Tupou to cross after 51 minutes.

Deacon booted the touchline conversion to cut the deficit to 8-6 before Tupou took Solomona's pass to crash over for his second try and put the Bulls in front for the first time.

Salford refused to concede defeat and went back in front when Aaron Moule slipped round St Hilaire for the supporting Dorn to send Robinson over and Wilshere added the goal.

But Bradford tossed away a late chance to snatch at least a draw when James Evans threw a pass behind Tupou with the line seemingly at his mercy.

****

Salford: Saxton, Barnett, McGuinness, Moule, Viane, Wilshere, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Korkidas, Wainwright, Brocklehurst, Finnigan.
Replacements: Dorn, Haggerty, Littler, Nash.

Bradford: Platt, St Hilaire, B. Harris, McAvoy, Tupou, I. Harris, Deacon, Vagana, Newton, Lynch, McKenna, Solomona, Morrison.
Replacements: Henderson, Evans, Burgess, James.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham)

SALFORD	14	BRADFORD	10
Tries: Viane, Robinson		Tupou (2)
Goals: Wilshere (3)		Deacon
		Half time: 8-0
67 Salford Goal by John Wilshere 66 Salford Try by Luke Robinson 59 Bradford Goal missed by Paul Deacon 58 Bradford Try by Tame Tupou 51 Bradford Goal by Paul Deacon 50 Bradford Try by Tame Tupou 40 Salford Goal missed by John Wilshere 37 Salford Goal by John Wilshere 22 Salford Goal by John Wilshere 21 Salford Try by Gray Viane

"Bradford threw plenty at us and it was going to take a lot of mental strength to get back in front. We played the last 15 or 20 minutes very well." - Shaun McRae, Head Coach

Salford boss Shaun McRae dubbed his side's 14-10 victory over Bradford as "massive".

The Reds, Super League's basement side, closed the gap to Hull KR to a single point with shock win over the Bulls.

McRae said: "On the back of our last two performances against Wakefield and Warrington the guys deserve credit.

"The first half was very good. We didn't start the second half as well and had to do a lot of hanging on.

"Bradford threw plenty at us and it was going to take a lot of mental strength to get back in front. We played the last 15 or 20 minutes very well.

"Bradford switched Tame Tupou to the other side but, despite his two tries, I thought we controlled him pretty well.

"There was a significant improvement by us with the ball."

Salford included new captures Mike Wainwright and Richie Barnett from Warrington alongside Castleford's Tommy Saxton and McRae was pleased with their efforts.

"We welcomed the three new fellows with open arms," he added.

"They all did very well and Luke Dorn also looked good at dummy half when he came on.

"I was able to rotate the bench with forwards and that made a difference.