Qualifiers – Super 8s: Salford Red Devils book Million Pound Game meeting with Hull KR, London Broncos end on a high
Batley Bulldogs 14-42 Salford Red Devils
Gareth O'Brien grabbed 18 points as Salford kept alive their Super League survival hopes with a 42-14 rout of part-timers Batley in the last match of the Super 8s Qualifiers.
The Red Devils had put themselves in deep trouble with their shock 19-16 home defeat by London Broncos but went some way to redeeming themselves with a comfortable victory that secured their place Million Pound Game ahead of the Broncos on points difference.
Salford now need to beat Hull KR in Saturday's one-off decider at the Lightstream Stadium to avoid relegation to the Kingstone Press Championship.
Their victory signalled the end of Salford director of rugby Tim Sheens' connection with the club as he prepares to take over as head coach of Hull KR, having announced that he would take no part in the Million-Pound Match if it was between his current and future employers.
Sunday's match also marked the farewell of popular Batley coach John Kear and skipper Keegan Hirst, who will be reunited in Super League with Wakefield in 2017.
The Bulldogs were unable to give the departing duo a fairytale win but least they can claim victory in the second half after the visitors had established an unassailable 34-4 lead after making good use of the notorious slope at Mount Pleasant.
London Broncos 46-6 Featherstone Rovers
London Broncos ended the season on a high with a 46-6 victory over Featherstone in Ealing but it was not enough to keep alive their promotion hopes.
The Broncos followed up their shock win over Salford by claiming a third success of the Super 8s Qualifiers but lose out on the Million-Pound Match to the fifth-placed Red Devils on points difference.
Wales winger Rhys Williams led the way for the Londoners with a hat-trick of tries while Daniel Harrison, Elliot Kear, Matt Garside, Ben Hellewell, Jack Bussey and Mark Ioane also touched down and Jamie Soward kicked five goals.
Featherstone, who have lost all seven matches in the Qualifiers, trailed 42-0 before John Davies scored their only try and Danny Craven added a conversion.