Coach Ian Watson took the opportunity to rest Justin Carney, Craig Kopczak, Logan Tomkins, George Griffin,Ben Murdoch-Masila and Mark Flanagan from the line-up against League One Hunslet Hawks in this Challenge Cup 5th Round clash.
Josh Wood came in at hooker, Weller Hauraki made the substitutes bench after a long absence as did Matt Haggerty.
The Reds got the start they wanted with less than three minutes on the clock when Phil Joseph found himself in the clear, he drew full-back Jim Watson to send Ryan Lannon in for the game’s first try. Michael Dobson converted for a 0-6 lead.
Minutes later the Reds were into double figures when Jake Bibby squeezed in at the corner off a Josh Griffin pass despite a Dobson knock-on in the build-up (0-10).
In the 7th minute the Reds scored again with Josh Griffin scoring after the ball passed through a number of hands. Gareth O’Brien converted for a 0-16 score.
After the Hawks blew a chance at one end following a storming run by stand-off Danny Thomas a strong clearing run from Niall Evalds took play into the home half where Josh Griffin forced his way over for his second try (0-20).
In the 22nd minute the Hawks got on the scoreboard when Jack Lee dived over for an unconverted try (4-20).
Perhaps the Reds best try of the half came with the half-hour approaching when Wood scooted through for a neat try. O’Brien booted the conversion home for a 4-26 lead.
Salford then increased their lead with their 5th try when Robert Lui skipped over the try-line after good work by O’Brien. Dobson converted (4-32).
With half-time on the horizon, Hunslet pulled another try back when George Flanagan threw an outrageous dummy from acting-half before stretching over to bring an interval score of 8-32.
In the 50th minute the Reds went further ahead when gradual pressure on the Hunslet line saw Lui cross for his second try. O’Brien added the kick (8-38).
Three minutes later cross-field passing enabled winger Bibby to zip in at the corner for his second try. O’Brien again converted (8-44).
In the 68th minute the Hawks grabbed their third try when winger James Duckworth out-jumped Bibby to collect a kick from Danny Ansell to touch down (12-44).
A few minutes later Hunslet added a penalty from Ansell for a 14-44 score.
Salford though had the final say with two minutes left with centre Josh Griffin scrambling over near the corner-flag. A terrific touchline kick from Dobson brought up the half-century and a final score of 14-50.
After a couple of shocks the day before for Hull KR and Leigh there was no chance of the Reds suffering a similar fate. This was a job well done,from team selection to the final result.
Watson expressed his delight later: “It was a game we were happy to get the win from and move on to the next round,” he said.
“We want to have a real crack at the Challenge Cup. You win four games and you’ve a final slot so that’s one down and there’s three more to go.”
Salford: O’Brien, Evalds, Sau, J Griffin, Bibby, Lui, Dobson, A Walne, Wood, Joseph, J Walne, Sarsfield, Lannon.
Subs: Krasniqi, Hauraki, Jones, Haggerty.
Referee: Mr J Child
Attendance: 834
Main image: Hunslet Hawks
