Rugby League: Eagles swoop late to deny Leeds victory

THE COMEBACK kings, Sheffield Eagles, were at it again yesterday, hitting back to snatch a 22-16 home win which condemned Leeds to a third defeat in five Super League matches. The battling Eagles, who gained a last-minute 23-21 win over Hull in their previous game, grabbed two tries in the last 11 minutes to take the lead for the first time and make amends for last season's 24-23 defeat.

Andy Gregory's grip on the Salford coaching post was loosened even further as Castleford came from 11-0 behind to leave the Reds still searching for their first win of the season. Michael Eagar's ninth try in five games started the Castleford fightback and they always looked in control as they cemented their position in the play-off places with the 29-17 away win.

It means Salford have lost nine League matches in a row, having been beaten in their final four games of last year.

Bobbie Goulding gave the long-suffering Huddersfield fans something to shout about as he inspired the Giants to a 26-12 success over strugglers Hull. Goulding was outstanding as he almost single-handedly ended the Giants's 17-game Super League losing streak.

The leaders Hull Kingston Rovers kept up the pace at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership with a seven-try demolition of Whitehaven. The 44-18 win was the perfect tonic for Rovers who returned to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season at Dewsbury six days ago.

But there will be concern about their former Great Britain forward Andy Dannatt, who was carried off with a neck injury after 17 minutes.

Second-placed Dewsbury narrowly completed their sixth successive victory but Hunslet led until six minutes from the end of a rugged Yorkshire derby. The centre Brendan Williams was Dewsbury's hero, scoring two tries and carving out another for the winger Adrian Flynn. It was Williams who supported a fine break by stand-off Richard Agar and barged over the line to nudge Dewsbury in front for the first time, and the Rams held on for a 21-20 victory.

Keighley Cougars overcame Widnes Vikings 24-22 in another exciting encounter. Christian Tyrer was the star for Keighley playing against his old club, setting up three tries with clever kicks and scoring one himself.

Workington Town's unbeaten home run of four games came to an end but not before they had fully tested a lively Featherstone side. The Cumbrians trailed 12-0 at half-time but fought their way back to 12-10 midway through the second half. It took a late penalty by prop forward Stuart Dickens and a drop goal from the same player to ease Featherstone through, 15-10.

Leigh recorded eight tries as they triumphed 44-24 at Lancashire Lynx. Paul Wingfield and Anthony Murray both crossed twice for the visitors, Wingfield also kicking six goals to finish with 20 points.

Bramley full-back Anthony Gibbons produced a match-winning performance to give his side a 24-18 victory over Oldham. He grabbed two tries and a conversion and then with the sides locked at 18-18 on the hour he kicked a crucial penalty. Stalwart Wayne Freeman sealed victory for the hosts when he forced his way over the line from close range.

York stand-off Mark Cain grabbed two tries and Andy Precious kicked three goals to beat Doncaster 28-18.

Player-coach Deryck Fox inspired the Rochdale Hornets to a 19-14 victory at Batley which lifted them off the bottom of the table above Doncaster.