IT was badged as Saints enter Hell in the pre-match build-up…
Yet Nathan Brown’s side did anything but get burned in their third game of the season – dowsing Salford’s fires with an excellent 38-0 victory.
They scored six tries including one scorching length of the field effort – as well as being far too mean and physical in defence to allow their hosts a sniff.
And they went top of the table as a result.
Saints had big performances all over the park with Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor in particular immense throughout.
Luke Walsh and Lance Hohaia had a field day off the back of them and the former helped take Saints out to a 12-0 lead in the first half.
He made one and scored one as his side ripped the Devils apart for 20 minutes before Salford came back into it.
In the second half, the home side had a right good dig until Mark Percival (2) and Kyle Amor broke their resolve.
Anthony Laffranchi also got in on the fun as Saints proved too strong.
Saints made two changes from the team that beat Hull FC last week; Gary Wheeler missing out with a dead leg – replaced by Lance Hohaia – and LMS swapping places with Josh Jones.
Salford’s line up saw six players with Saints connections – Martin Gleeson, Francis Meli, Tony Puletua, Andy Dixon, Matty Ashurst and Stuart Howarth.
After a kick off delay of 15 minutes, a lively start saw Salford get the ball from a Saints knock-on before Luke Walsh carved open the Red Devils’ defence.
Both chances came to nothing but a Willie Manu break on six minutes brought points.
He made a wonderful run right through the heart of the Devils; Walsh took it up, slipped in Amor who simply offloaded to Jon Wilkin.
Walsh converting the try he was very much involved in.
Saints didn’t hang about too and scored again almost immediately.
That man Walsh sent a great ball out to Jordan Turner who drew in his winger.
Seeing the opposition closing him down, Tommy Makinson chipped towards the post and Walsh put down.
Adrian Morley entered the fray on 20 minutes and Salford looked a better side for it.
Martin Gleeson had a dart down the right and then a penalty gave the home side great field position.
But, with the crowd roaring them on, the ball went to ground under some ferocious Saints defence.
That work for each other attitude saw Salford struggling to make ground on Saints D and the likes of Wilkin and Walsh were pinning them down in their own zone too.
A big 40:20 from the second rower put Saints in good position again, but they couldn’t take advantage.
On 33 minutes Salford almost got in. Gareth Hock made the break but the home side blew the chance of feeding Danny Williams earlier for a certain try.
It was a let off for the visitors.
Saints forced a drop out with two minutes to go and almost turned the screw further.
Walsh kicked early on the tackle count and Makinson looked to have got downward pressure over the line.
But it was controversially wiped off by the video ref.
Saints needed to do the simple stuff well in the second half and after a few lacklustre sets were almost punished.
Salford pushed the ball from a penalty and Saints snaffled the loose ball on the last.
Ten minutes later they were on the back foot again – but scored a length of the field beauty.
The Red Devils forced it on the last with a Tim Smith chip heading across the face of the posts.
But Sia Soliola collected it and in a flash he’d fed Mark Percival.
The centre cut up the field, found Swift who duly returned the pass for a great try.
Walsh off the touchline for 18-0
Saints then scored again.
Alex Walmsley rampaged through the defence, got the ball away and Roby found Amor. Simple.
Walsh added a penalty with less than 18 to go to make it safe before Anthony Laffranchi plunged over from Roby’s inside pass.
And as the hooter went the excellent Lance Hohaia showed great feet to bamboozle the defence and send Percival over.
Match Summary:
Salford:
Tries:
Goals:
Saints:
Tries: Wilkin, Walsh, Percival (2), Amor, Laffranchi
Goals: Walsh (7 from 7)
Penalties:
Salford: 4
Saints: 6
HT: 12-0
FT: 38-0
REF: Phil Bentham
ATT: 6353
Teams:
Salford:
1. Jake Mullaney; 23. Greg Johnson, 3. Martin Gleeson, 5. Francis Meli, 2. Danny Williams; 14. Theo Fages, 7. Tim Smith; 11. Tony Puletua, 9. Tommy Lee, 10. Lama Tasi, 13. Harrison Hansen, 12. Gareth Hock, 16. Andy Dixon.
Subs: 8. Adrian Morley, 17. Shannan McPherson, 19. Matty Ashurst, 24. Stuart Howarth.
Saints
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Luke Walsh; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Willie Manu, 4. Josh Jones.
Subs: 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 11. Sia Soliola, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 17. Paul Wellens.
