Raynor responds to injury-hit Hull's plea in style

Leicester Tigers' Gareth Raynor made an emotional return to rugby league as he helped his injury-stricken former club Hull beat Halifax 46-18 yesterday.

With Hull missing nine senior players, Raynor was given leave of absence by Leicester to play in the Super League match, and he marked his return in style. The winger scored two tries as the home side inflicted another defeat on struggling Halifax. His first came on 19 minutes when he finished off a classy move on Hull's left and then he grabbed a second just before half-time.

However, there were fears of a shock in the early stages when Dane Dorahy kicked Halifax in front with a second-minute penalty at the Kingston Communications Stadium.

Yet Hull produced some dazzling bursts of football and none more so than in the 15th minute when the Australian winger Colin Best rounded off an 80-metre move with an electrifying piece of running.

Once Hull had got their noses in front they turned the screw with Raynor's double strike extending their lead to 20-2. Although Halifax reduced the arrears to eight points with tries by Andrew Frew and Dorahy, Hull finished well with Richie Barnett capping a great captain's performance with two tries and Steve Prescott running 85 metres for a brilliant touchdown.

Late scores from Richard Horne and Best rounded off an excellent afternoon which keeps Hull well in touch with the leaders, Leeds and Bradford.

In National League One, title favourites Salford clicked into gear with a crushing win over Batley .

After only snatching a draw at Whitehaven in their opening game on Friday, the City Reds found form to defeat Batley 54-12 at The Willows. Cliff Beverley ran the show for Salford and helped himself to a hat-trick of tries while Chris Charles also got three touchdowns.

Rochdale notched up their second win of the new campaign as they overcame Hull Kingston Rovers 29-18 with the Hornets' captain, Paul Smith, grabbing two tries.

Rovers took an early lead through an Anthony Siebold try but Damian Ball and Marlon Billy gave the Hornets a lead they did not lose, Richard Pachniuk also crossing the line for the home side.

Dewsbury claimed their first league win of the season as they edged past Featherstone in a thrilling encounter at Ram Stadium.

The Rams went ahead with scores from Michael Wainwright (two), George Mack and Nathan Batty, but Rovers came back to 20-20 through Richard Chapman, Nathan Graham, Jamie Stokes and Carl Briggs.

A draw looked on the cards until Paul Hicks broke through and set up the winning try for Dave Oldfield.