Salford 35-22 Hull: Red Devils' revival pushes London towards the brink

Published: 19:19 EST, 12 July 2014 | Updated: 19:26 EST, 12 July 2014

Brothers Josh and Darrell Griffin made it a family affair as Salford overcame the absence of new signing Kevin Locke to add more impetus to their revival with a 35-22 victory over Hull in the First Utility Super League.

If the Red Devils fans were disappointed to discover Locke had failed to shake off a groin injury sustained on his impressive debut a week ago, they were quickly consoled by another encouraging performance from their rejuvenated team.

Centre Mason Caton-Brown, the club's exciting recruit from London Broncos, led the way with two tries on his home debut, making it three in just two appearances, while winger Josh Griffin marked his impressive home debut with a try and four goals and older brother Darrell also got in on the act with a touchdown.

Going over: Salford Red Devils' Darrell Griffin scores the fifth try

Long-serving centre Kirk Yeaman scored two second-half tries as Hull rallied after trailing 19-0 but their defeat cuts them further adrift from the top-eight play-offs.

The result also means London Broncos will be relegated if they lose to Warrington in Sunday's only Super League game.

Hull created the first scoring chance when right winger Tom Lineham was bundled into touch by the corner flag by Josh Griffin after just two minutes and they were camped for long periods inside the Salford half.

But the Red Devils defence was tough and uncompromising, with Harrison Hansen and Junior Sau leading the way with a series of crunching tackles.

Even referee Matt Thomason needed treatment during the first half after colliding accidentally with Salford second rower Gareth Hock.

Salford initially struggled for creativity and both their first-half tries came against the run of play.

Rangi Chase scored the first, swooping onto a careless offload by Hull forward Liam Watts and sprinting 80 metres for an opportunist score, and created the second for Caton-Brown with a superb delayed pass.

Josh Griffin kicked one conversion and extended his side's lead with a penalty while Chase made it 13-0 with a drop goal on the stroke of half-time.

Hull captain Danny Houghton tried to get his side back into it with a searing break early in the second half but he was robbed of the ball by Salford full-back Niall Evalds and Chase took play to the other end of the field.

The visitors' last hope of making a game of it disappeared when stand-off Jordan Rankin, back in the side after a fortnight's leave on compassionate grounds, was sin-binned for holding Greg Johnson down in the tackle after the Red Devils winger produced a second lightning break of the match.

The home side took full advantage of the extra man when Josh Griffin touched down Chase's kick to the corner and the winger added the touchline conversion to make it 19-0.

That was the signal for Hull's fightback led by Houghton.

He put second rower Dean Hadley through a gap for one try and, after re-gathering possession courtesy of a neat chip over the Salford defence, repeated the act to get centre Yeaman over three minutes later.

Rankin, back on the field by then, converted the second try after Joe Westerman had been off target with his attempt and the deficit was down to nine points.

Hull were on a roll at that stage and, had Lineham not been denied for a second time by a last-ditch tackle from Griffin, they might have gone on to turn the game on its head.

But Salford instantly went upfield and secured the victory with the aid of two tries in four minutes.

Evalds superbly drew two defenders to get Johnson over at the corner before prop Darrell Griffin took Tommy Lee's pass to cross by the posts.

Brother Josh kicked his fourth goal but Hull finished with a flourish, with Yeaman going over for his second try and centre Fetuli Talanoa carving out a long-range effort for full-back Jamie Shaul and Rankin adding both conversions.

That meant the gap was down to just seven points but Caton-Brown swooped on a loose ball to spring 40 metres for his second try and Chase wrapped up the scoring with the conversion.