4,000 Saints fans were in attendance at the Totally Wicked Stadium for the first time in 14 months, as Saints nilled Salford to maintain our 100% start to the 2021 campaign.
Saints’ defence was tested early on, as the visitors had several sets on the hosts line but couldn’t score any points, Kallum Watkins going closest as he fumbled the ball as he was tackled going over the try line. Jack Welsby and Mark Percival were then both held up inches short of the try line at the other end.
It took 25 minutes for the first points of the game. Saints threw the ball around and as Salford scrambled back in defence, Alex Walsmley was fed the ball five metres out and the prop was not to be stopped as he muscled his way over from close range. Lachlan Coote added the extras, 6-0 Saints led.
Aaron Smith looked to have increased our lead just before the break, but the referee judged it as a double movement as the hooker stretched to plant the ball over the line. We had another ruled out as the hooter went as James Roby threw a pass out wide to Kevin Naiqama but Joel Thompson was judged to have obstructed a Salford defender, 6-0 we led at the break.
Saints opened the second half with a potential try of the month contender. Theo Fages collected a kick in the middle of the pitch, he made a break and found Coote, who then found Welsby, he then found Fages again on his inside and he finished the move that he started. Coote added the extras, 12-0.
Kevin Naiqama then prevented a certain Salford try just before the hour mark with a great intercept, he was caught by the Salford defenders though as he broke away and Saints were unable to punish the visitors error, as Welsby dropped the ball with the try line beckoning.
We did extend our lead a few minutes later though. A flowing move from left to right saw Coote throw a cut-out pass wide to Naiqama, and the Fijian pulled off a Tommy Makinson esque finish to score in the right corner. Coote’s conversion attempt from the right touchline bounced out off the post, 16-0.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook was then fed the ball close to the Salford line after a kick play the ball from Saints and he forced his way over. Coote added the extras, 22-0 we led.
Saints added their fifth and final try on the hooter. After Smith was held up over the line, we threw the ball out left and Regan Grace collected a Welsby pass to finish spectacularly in the corner. Coote nailed the conversion from the left touchline, as Saints beat Salford 28-0 at the Totally Wicked Stadium and our fans certainly enjoyed it.
Saints Team: Lachlan Coote, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Jack Welsby, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Joel Thompson, Sione Mata’utia, Morgan Knowles
Interchanges: Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor
Tries: Alex Walmsley (25), Theo Fages (43), Kevin Naiqama (60), Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (68), Regan Grace (80)
Conversions: Lachlan Coote (4 from 5)
Salford Red Devils Team: Dan Sarginson, Ken Sio, Kallum Watkins, Matt Costello, Rhys Williams, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Lee Mossop, Andy Ackers, Greg Burke, James Greenwood, Ryan Lannon, Elijah Taylor
Interchanges: Pauli Pauli, Chris Atkin, Seb Ikahihifo, Jack Ormondroyd
Tries:
Conversions:
HT: 6-0
FT: 28-0
