In a Nutshell
St Helens were far too strong for the Red Devils in all departments tonight at the A J Bell Stadium, winning 38-0 and showing Salford Chairman Marwan Koukash that his side has a long way to go before it can challenge the leading clubs.
How it unfolded
St Helens dominated early in the game, when Jon Wilkin scored a quick try from good work by Luke Walsh and Kyle Amor. Walsh converted, and then touched down a Tommy Makinson grubber after a great break by the winger. Walsh again converted for a 12-0 lead in even time.
The Red Devils started to settle down, though, but couldn’t threaten the St Helens line, and Saints almost scored again when Makinson was harshly adjudged by the video referee not to have touched down a Walsh grubber.
Salford, led by a strong effort from their captain Adrian Morley, came out in a determined mood in the second half, but ran out of steam when Saints centre Mark Percival scored a superb length of the field try started by a break from Sia Soliola.
After that the floodgates opened, with further tries from man of the match Kyle Amor, Anthony Laffranchi and Percival again, with Walsh converting all the tries and adding a penalty.
It was a rude awakening for the Red Devils, who clearly missed Rangi Chase, and who saw Gareth Hock leave the field in the second half with a possible ankle injury.
A full report and pictures will appear in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
