Salford put the Saints to the sword as they won 44-10 against St Helens at the AJ Bell.
Reds coach Ian Watson drafted in Ryan Lannon at loose-forward and Greg Johnson on the wing for the injured Junior Sau as he attempted to make the disappointing result at Hull the previous week a distant memory.
The Reds got off to a dream start when Michael Dobson hoisted a kick to the corner which was gathered by Greg Johnson who touched down. A great conversion by Josh Griffin bought a 6-0 lead after just two minutes.
In the 7th minute Salford added a second try to continue their rip-roaring start to the game when Craig Kopczak scored his first try for the Reds when he plunged over the line with three Saints players on his back (12-0).
Four minutes later the Reds notched their third try when stand-off Robert Lui burst through to score. Dobson converted for an 18-0 lead.
Saints then hauled themselves back into the game when Alex Walmsley crashed over under the posts. Luke Walsh converted for an 18-6 score-line.
Watch: Highlights of all the tries here
Dobson added a penalty when Walsh was sin-binned for holding down and the Reds were unlucky not to extend their lead when a Phil Joseph effort was ruled out by the video referee.
Salford should have gone further ahead when a tremendous run by Justin Carney came to nothing when he delayed his pass to Niall Evalds just too long and the chance was lost.
With half-time fast approaching the Reds added two tries in two minutes when firstly Evalds scooted over to score and then Carney seared through before handing on to Lui who dashed under the posts. Dobson converted both for a 32-6 interval score.
The Reds continued where they left off after the break when Adam Walne stretched over to score by the posts to increase their lead to 36-6.
There was just no stopping the Reds and in the 55th minute they went yet further ahead when Dobson feigned a pass to his left and stepped to his right before striding through the Saints defence to score (40-6).
Saints then managed to score a second try when they moved the ball out wide for Adam Swift to crash in by the corner-flag with less than 20 minutes remaining (40-10).
Salford fittingly, were to have the last say when Evalds scooted in for his second try of the night for a final score of 44-10.
Whilst one swallow doesn’t make a summer, chairman and owner Marwan Koukash might just see some reward for his investment in the club over the last few years.
Reds coach Ian Watson was glowing afterwards: “We spoke about getting off to a good start this week because we didn’t start well at Hull at all.”
“The size of the win probably surprised me but we’re a real confident group and it was about putting something right that we did wrong last week. We know if we do those things consistently, we’ll be a good team. Time will tell.”
Saints coach Keiron Cunniingham was gracious in defeat: “I don’t want to make any excuses or take any polish off what Salford have done. They responded outstandingly to a loss last week and played the perfect game tonight.”
Team: O’Brien, Carney, Jones, J Griffin, Johnson, Lui, Dobson, Kopczak, Lee, G Griffin, Murdoch-Masila, Flanagan, Lannon.
Subs: Evalds, A Walne, Tomkins, Joseph.
Referee: Mr R Silverwood
