Langtree Park
Following last week’s Challenge Cup exit at Castleford the Reds were anxious to get back to winning ways. Logan Tomkins was back at hooker after suspension. Josh Jones reverted to the second-row and Niall Evalds slotted in at centre,partnering Daniel Vidot on the wing.
Salford were the first to score in the 6th minute when a probing run by Justin Carney took the Reds close to Saints twenty-five yard line. The ball was quickly moved cross-field where Niall Evalds scooted in at the corner too far out for Gareth O’Brien to convert (0-4).
Five minutes later Saints replied when former Reds half-back Theo Fages sent loose-forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook scrambling over. Luke Walsh added the kick to edge ahead at 6-4).
Saints added a second try in the 21st minute when centre Mark Percival went over from acting-half (10-4).
Just before the break Saints extended their lead when Dominique Peyroux lunged over after the Reds had failed to make any impression at the other end. Walsh’s conversion brought a 16-4 lead.
There was though just enough time for the Reds to score when Ben Murdoch-Masila made a powerful break and handed on to Evalds who scorched over in the corner for his second try (16-8).
Saints notched their fourth try in the 49th minute when Jonny Lomax glided through the Reds defence to score. Walsh booted over the kick for a comfortable 22-8 lead.
The Red quickly replied at the other end to haul themselves back into the game when a searing pass to Carney sent the bustling winger romping over wide out. O’Brien landed a great kick from touch for a 22-14 score.
Salford then got within two points of Saints when Robert Lui held up his pass to O’Brien who handed on to Evalds who flew in at the corner to complete his hat-trick. Michael Dobson this time converting despite slipping in his run-up (22-20).
The game continued to ebb and flow with Saints scoring next when Fages danced through to the dismay of the Salford fans to score by the posts. Walsh added the easy kick (28-20).
A great break by Dobson was wasted through lack of support and then the Reds squandered possession when Tomkins knocked on from acting half-back.
Saints continued to pile on the pressure and sealed victory in the 74th minute when Kyle Amor crashed over under the sticks. Walsh again converted for a final score of 34-20.
Salford coach Ian Watson was not enamoured by some of the refereeing decisions, commenting later:
“We were on the rough end of some iffy decisions by the referee. I told him after the game I didn’t think his performance was the best and he did not disagree.
“The Rugby League should not have put a young lad into a match like this. He was under pressure from the home crowd from the start.”
“It was a good response to what happened last week but we were a bit tentative in the first 30 minutes but then played with more confidence.
“We defended well for large parts of the game.”
“Niall Evalds has lost his first-team spot to Gareth O’Brien but is a real team player and happy to play anywhere we ask. He has applied himself brilliantly.”
Salford: O’Brien,Vidot,Evalds,Sau,Carney,Lui,Dobson,Kopczak,Tomkins,G Griffin,Murdoch-Masila, Jones,Lannon.
Subs: Hauraki,A Walne,Krasniqi,Joseph.
Referee: Mr C Kendall
Attendance: 9,299
