Giants aiming to finish on a high
SALFORD head coach Ian Watson says he is not convinced his side are safe from relegation despite winning their fourth game from as many matches in the Super 8s Qualifiers.
Watson saw his team race into a 20-0 half-time lead against Toronto Wolfpack but with two red cards, they made life difficult for themselves.
The Wolfpack got within four points of the Red Devils but a late try from Ryan Lannon settled any nerves and secured a 28-16 win.
Salford sit four points clear at the top of the table with three matches remaining.
“I was really pleased,” said Watson. “We knew Toronto would approach the game with physicality but I thought we dealt with that really well.
“Ten points has to be the target - history has proved that. We have to make sure we get another win.” INCOMING Leeds coach David Furner can feel more confident of taking over a Super League side after the Rhinos gave their survival hopes a huge lift with a 16-6 win over seeminglydoomed Widnes.
It was just the tonic Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield needed after their 38-36 home defeat to Hull KR last week, but it was far from a stellar performance from the Yorkshireman, who had to dig deep for the win.
They were second best for large periods of the encounter and it was only when Australian hooker Matt Parcell crossed on 55 minutes that the Rhinos could breath a sigh of relief as Widnes tested them in every department.
New boss Furner was announced on Saturday and enjoyed a two-year spell at the Rhinos, which culminated in him helping the club win the Grand Final in 2004.
He will leave his role as South Sydney Rabbitohs assistant coach at the end of the campaign to take up a three-year deal at Headingley. ■■CRAIG Hall scored four tries as Hull KR beat Halifax 38-24 for their third win from four games in the Qualifiers. ST HELENS coach Justin Holbrook hailed a confidence-boosting win as his side avenged their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to the Catalans Dragons and ran out 26-22 winners in France.
Saints came back from a 10-point deficit in the first half and an eight-point deficit in the second to seal a vital two points in the race to win the League Leaders’ Shield.
The win gives them a six-point advantage at the top with three games to go and - with a vastly superior points difference over their rivals - effectively earns them the Shield.
“We knew it was going to be tough and it was, we’re happy to get the win. We had a couple not playing so we needed a couple of guys Jonny (Lomax), Tommy (Makinson) and Wilko (Jon Wilkin) to stand up as experienced players and I thought they did a good job,” Holbrook said.
James Roby and Ben Barba missed the game for St Helens, Holbrook explained that they had slight injury worries that kept them out.
“They just had niggling injuries that’s all and we’ve got to get them right by the end of the year so it gave them an opportunity to give them a rest today,” he said.
“Today’s game definitely
“They dominated field position and scored two quick tries in the second half and I was a little worried that we were going to let the game go again like last week against Wakefield. But we dug in and wrestled some momentum back in our favour.”
Defeat at Warrington followed a 42-16 home loss to Wakefield and Woolford hopes his side can turn things round in the final weeks.
He added: “We don’t want to undo all the good work over the last four months, we want to finish well and although we didn’t get the result it was a huge step in achieving that.
“To go to Warrington, who are in the top four and who will threaten in the semi-finals, to go down by two is no disgrace.
“But we need to be better at times and if we fix those issues up that cost us we can get a couple more wins on the way home.”
Warrington coach Steve Price wants his side to now build up a head of steam and “keep raising the bar” heading into the Super League play-offs after sealing their spot in the top four.
With their place in the play-offs now secure, Price faces a balancing act between building the momentum that he wants over the remaining gives us confidence, it was important that we played well today, it was always going to be a hard game.
“We were behind early and I thought we fought back well to dominate the second half of the first half and we were unlucky not to lead by a lot more. And then the second half panned out the same as the first half so we had a lot of character.”
Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara was matches, while also ensuring his players get breaks if they need them.
He said: “We did what we had to do to get the result and found a way to win and it’s good to finally cement that top-four spot.
“We now need to keep raising the bar and keep going up a few more cogs and build momentum into the semi-finals.
“It’s important we build now at the back end of the season, but having said that we’ve got to be smart with the players and if they need a spell out they will. But having said that I want to push my best team out there too.” frustrated following the nature of the defeat.
“I feel as sick as a dog. I’m not sure if that translates to French,” he said.
“I just can’t believe the effort the players have put in and the energy that they’ve put in and to not win that game at the end, it’s just not right, it’s not correct.
“I’m a bit lost because it’s not fair on the boys and it’s not fair on the fans who came to see the game.”
Price said of his side’s performance: “I felt like we were in control but credit to them for coming back and credit to my boys to hang tough and find a way to win. When you get ugly wins you have to do what you have to do.
“We could have managed the game a little better in the latter stages and we will learn from that and move on.
“Huddersfield are a good team since Simon (Woolford) has come on board and have changed a fair amount of their systems and structures and been one of the top four team in the last 10 to 12 weeks so I’m pleased to get the win.”