Round-up: Pre-season friendlies
The season is getting ever nearer. Here is a round-up from a selection of this weekend’s pre-season friendlies.
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A last minute Morgan Escare try earned Catalan a 16-12 win over London Broncos on Saturday.
The Dragons fielded several youngsters who have been training with the first team over the close season, but also included the likes of Escare, Scott Dureau, William Barthau and Jean-Philippe Baile in their line-up.
They trailed 12-4 at half time, with London scoring tries through James Greenwood and Mike McMeeken, both goaled by Mike Bishay.
One of Catalan’s big new signings, winger Michael Oldfield, scored two tries on his first outing for the club.
London included several new signings in their line-up, including full back Nesiasi Mataitonga, Scott Moore and Leeds loan trio James Duckworth, Thomas Minns and Alex Foster.
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Hull earned the pre-season derby bragging rights with a 20-12 win over city rivals Hull KR at the KC Stadium.
In front of a crowd of almost 10,000, David Hodgson earned the visitors a 6-4 half time lead, replying to Ben Crooks early try, with Craig Hall‘s conversion against his former club nudging them ahead.
The first half also saw sin-binnings for Josh Hodgson and Tom Lineham in this so-called friendly.
Hull KR stretched their lead through a converted Rhys Lovegrove try in the second half before Hull sparked in to life.
Quickfire tries from new signings Fetuli Talanoa and Mickey Paea, and a second for Crooks, earned the hosts victory.
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Hunslet claimed the Lazenby Cup with a 20-16 victory over a youthful Leeds side.
The Hawks were without David March and James Coyle, as well as new signing Liam Hood, while the Rhinos side was made up mainly of Under 19s players, although Liam Sutcliffe, Kylie Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch and Ryan Bailey did feature.
The Rhinos were leading 16-10 going in to the closing stages before late tries from John Oakes and Danny Ansell gave the Championship 1 side victory.
The Hawks had led 10-4 at half time thanks to tries from Danny Grimshaw and Lee Mapals.
Jordan Harper, Josh Walters and Clarkson got on the scoresheet for Leeds.
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On Friday night, Salford Red Devils recorded a 26-16 win in difficult conditions against Leigh.
Greg Johnson earned the honour of scoring the first ever try under the new Red Devils moniker, as Brian Noble’s men secured victory in their first friendly of the season.
Noble fielded several new signings, including Rangi Chase and Tim Smith, with only Junior Sau, Gareth Hock and Harrison Hansen missing.
Further first half tries were scored by Andrew Dixon and Danny Williams before Liam Kay replied for the hosts.
Martin Ridyard reduced the deficit early in the second half, but tries for Smith and Tony Puletua stretched Salford’s lead, before a late consolation try for Ryan Brierley.
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Dewsbury recorded a 38-4 victory over Super League partner club Bradford.
Although the Bulls were far from full strength, they included Elliot Kear, Adam Henry, Jamie Foster, Lee Gaskell, Manase Manuokafoa, Danny Addy and Adam Sidlow from the start, but Glenn Morrison‘s Rams proved far too strong.
Shane Grady, Dale Morton (2), Anthony Thackeray (2), Makali Aizue and Aaron Brown scored the tries for the Championship side.