Pre-season round-up: Salford win derby, Hull KR beat Widnes, testimonials galore

There were a number of derbies and testimonial matches on the weekend.  

Salford Red Devils cruised past Swinton Lions 52-6 at the AJ Bell Stadium in what was a local derby. Junior Sa’u, Greg Johnson and Joey Lussick scored two tries each for Salford, while Mike Butt bagged Swinton’s only try.

England international Tom Johnstone scored a hat-trick to help Wakefield Trinity beat Hull FC 30-24 in Danny Kirmond and Danny Washbrook’s testimonial.

Brandon Moore put in a splendid performance to inspire Halifax to a 32-24 victory over Hunslet in the Yorkshire Cup.

National Conference League champions Hunslet Club Parkside caused an upset as they edged past Featherstone Rovers 14-10 at the LD Nutrition Stadium. Jamie Fields was outstanding for Parkside.

Batley Bulldogs reached the final of the Yorkshire Cup by coming from behind to beat York City Knights 22-18. Tyler Dickinson scored late on for the Bulldogs, while York’s Reece Rushworth was sin-binned for repeat team offences.

Bradford Bulls played two games on the weekend, so John Kear had to split his squad up. They won 20-18 against Dewsbury Rams on Saturday at Odsal to reach the Yorkshire Cup final.

And on Sunday, the Bulls succumbed to a 56-12 hammering at the hands of Huddersfield Giants in Michael Lawrence’s testimonial match. Lee Gaskell bagged a hat-trick for the Giants.

Cameron Smith racked up a 20-point haul for Leeds Rhinos as they demolished Doncaster 60-0 in Kyle Kesik’s testimonial at the Keepmoat Stadium. Owen Trout and Harry Newman got two tries each for the Rhinos.

Hull Kingston Rovers put in a professional display to secure a solid 30-16 victory against Widnes Vikings at the LD Nutrition Stadium on Sunday. Kane Linnett crossed the whitewash for Rovers, while Harrison Hansen bagged a brace for the Vikings.

Rochdale Hornets became the first-ever winners of the Stephen Gartland Trophy as the ‘Battle of the Borough’ provided an exciting spectacle at the Mayfield Sports Centre. Shaun Ainscough impressed for the Hornets.

The Ike Southward Memorial trophy switched clubs for the fifth year in on the spin as Workington Town eased past local rivals Whitehaven 24-6 at Derwent Park. Ryan Fieldhouse bagged a brace for Town.

Zack McComb went over twice as Oldham impressively beat Barrow Raiders 34-10 at Craven Park. Ben Calland, Scott Law and Matty Wilkinson also scored for the Roughyeds.

Pre-season round-up:

Salford Red Devils 52-6 Swinton Lions

Wakefield Trinity 30-24 Hull FC

Halifax 32-24 Hunslet

Featherstone Rovers 10-14 Hunslet Club Parkside

Batley Bulldogs 22-18 York City Knights

Bradford Bulls 20-18 Dewsbury Rams

Huddersfield Giants 56-12 Bradford Bulls

Doncaster 0-60 Leeds Rhinos

Hull KR 30-16 Widnes Vikings

Rochdale Mayfield 12-18 Rochdale Hornets

Workington Town 24-6 Whitehaven

Barrow Raiders 10-24 Oldham