Round-up: Coach Veivers sacked by rock-bottom Salford

Phil Veivers lost his job as Salford coach after the defeat to Broncos (PA)

Salford's slump into bottom place in Super League has cost their coach, Phil Veivers, his job.

The City Reds were beaten 38-4 on Friday night by the London Broncos, who had not won a game up until then, and Salford's new millionaire owner, Dr Marwan Koukash, made no secret of his anger at the performance. Veivers, who was appointed midway through last season, was sacked yesterday. Two international coaches, Brian Noble and Australia's Tim Sheens, are among those being linked with the position.

"Results speak for themselves and it was felt a change must be made to allow our progression to continue on the field and off it," said Reds CEO, Ed Farish. "We thank Phil for his efforts during an extremely difficult close season and wish him all the best for the future. We have had to look at the whole business and what is right for the club.

"In the last month we have undergone major changes with the departures of director of football Steve Simms and commercial director Tina Wilkinson."

There were two shocks at the top of the Super League table with Huddersfield and Warrington both going down to their first defeats of the season yesterday.

The Giants, without the ill Danny Brough, were hammered 43-18 by Bradford, for whom Jarrod Sammut scored a hat-trick of tries. The Wolves lost 26-12 at Hull KR, whose veteran winger, David Hodgson, claimed a brace of tries.

Widnes are on the fringe of the play-off places after an impressive 36-16 win over Hull on Saturday evening. It was a game that showed the best and worst of Gareth Hock with the Test second-rower conceding a string of penalties while also being highly effective with the ball and scoring the clinching try.

The worry for Widnes is the possibility that Kevin Brown has done serious damage to his ankle on his debut for the club.

Catalans Dragons went second on Saturday night, coming from 16-0 down to win 29-26 with a late drop-goal from Thomas Bosc and a Jason Baitieri try.

Leeds put their World Club Challenge defeat to Melbroune Storm behind them with a 20-12 win at St Helens which was more comfortable than it sounds. Ryan Hall scored two tries and set up the other for the Rhinos.