City Reds hold Bulls
Jodie Broughton's late try helped Salford City Reds secure a share of the spoils in a 20-20 draw with the Bradford Bulls.
Last Updated: 18/05/12 10:25pm
Jodie Broughton's late try helped Salford City Reds secure a share of the spoils in a 20-20 draw with the Bradford Bulls.
Karl Pryce scored Bradford's first three tries, but a double from Danny Williams ensured Salford led the way with 54 minutes played.
Tom Burgess' superb try saw the visitors move in front, however, the home side had the final say when Broughton touched down.
Reds prop Adam Sidlow tore into the Bulls from the start and ploughed over for his first try since last June in the sixth minute after Craig Kopczak conceded a penalty.
Daniel Holdsworth tagged on the conversion but the Bulls almost replied when Bryn Hargreaves released the ball close to the Reds line but the chance went begging.
Jamie Langley's clever distribution gave Salford problems, with Steve Wild putting in a crunching tackle to clear another danger.
Impression
Burgess made an immediate impression when he appeared as sub but Salford's defence held firm until Pryce powered over in the corner after 32 minutes.
Luke Gale missed the conversion but a surging Elliott Whitehead run gave Bradford more confidence.
Pryce notched his second try in three minutes from a looping Gale pass after Salford conceded another penalty.
This time Gale made no mistake with the goal attempt to fire his side ahead 10-6 at the interval.
Sean Gleeson spilled the ball straight from the kick-off in the second half before Salford rallied courtesy of a sizzling Luke Patten break.
Holdsworth and Gleeson combined for Williams to squeeze over in the corner and make it 10-10.
Hit back
The Bulls hit back immediately with Pryce completing his hat-trick after Ben Jeffries saw the Reds cover out of position and his precision kick bounced kindly for the winger.
It was still anybody's game and Gleeson's smart flick pass put Williams over for his second try after 55 minutes, with Holdsworth's conversion edging the Reds in front 16-14.
Pryce came close to a fourth try from a Gale kick but was pushed into touch by Williams.
Both sides made frequent handling mistakes round the ruck but it was Burgess' controversial try nine minutes from time which restored the Bulls' lead.
Shaun Ainscough looked yards offside when he collected Jeffries' kick to put Burgess over and Gale converted to make it 20-16.
Referee Silverwood allowed the try to stand, to Salford's fury, but Broughton struck back after Oliver Elima was sin-binned.