Saints continued their one hundred per-cent start to the season with a dominant 26-4 win over an in-form Salford side.
Defence was on top for both sides in the opening half, until the 20th minute when Mark Percival broke the deadlock after rising highest from a teasing kick to the corner from Theo Fages. Lachlan Coote, taking over the goal kicking duties, added the extras to give Saints a 6-0 lead.
Saints continued to put the pressure on a stubborn Salford side, which eventually reaped its rewards in the 32nd minute with a sweeping move on Saints’ left edge with Fages finding Lomax out of the back, who then dummied inside the defender to crash over.
Saints extended their lead further in the final minute of the half with a sneak from dummy-half by Captain James Roby, Coote making it two from three conversions, giving saints a well-earned 16-0 lead at the break. Luke Thompson typified Saints’ work rate in the first half with an incredible 36 minute stint.
The half started with Lachlan Coote going down injured after pressure was applied to his neck by a couple of Salford defenders in the midst of a tackle. The incident was placed on report.
Moments later, Saints had a golden opportunity to widen their lead further with a great break from Tommy Makinson and Mark Percival almost resulting in a brilliant try, only for Tommy to be dragged into touch right at the corner flag.
With the conditions worsening, Salford managed to grab a try through Derrell Olpherts who rose high and pinched the ball from Percival’s grasp after a floated kick from Robert Lui.
The momentum never felt like it was shifting Salford’s way and minutes later, after a knock-on by the Red Devils in their own 10, Regan Grace was in at the corner after great handling from Lomax and Coote directly from a scrum. Saints restored their 16 point lead to make it 20-4.
In the dying minutes, an 80 metre foot race between Makinson and two Salford defenders ended when he was tackled from behind just short of the Salford line. Coote was first to the play of the ball and delivered a short pass to man of the match James Roby for his second try of the game.
Saints came away with the points after a well-earned victory
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Percival, Lomax, Grace, Roby (2)
Goals: Coote (3 from 5)
Salford Red Devils:
Tries: Olpherts
Goals: Sio (0 from 1)
HT: 0-16
FT: 4-26
Attendance: 4,064
