Saints v Salford Red Devils

Saints kick off new campaign in style

Super Saints soared in our opening Betfred Super League clash, running in eight tries to beat the Salford Red Devils 48-8 at the Totally Wicked Stadium in front of over 12,000 fans.

In an exciting start, it was Salford who came out of the blocks fastest, as Joey Lussick was held up on the line just four minutes in. The hosts were rewarded for their good start in the sixth minute as Tui Lolohea scored a penalty after the Saints made no attempt to play the ball.

However, the Saints quickly settled, and in the 14th minute Zeb Taia burst through the Salford defence to touch down after a quick pass by Jonny Lomax. Lachlan Coote added the conversion to make it 6-2.

Five minutes later the Saints scored again, this time through big prop Alex Walmsley who took the short pass from James Bentley before powering his way through three defenders to score. Coote added his second conversion to make it 12-2.

Salford fans thought they’d got one back in the 29th minute when Rhys Williams touched down on the left touchline, but Kevin Naiqama had forced him into touch brilliantly.

Theo Fages added a third for the Saints just before half time, throwing a dummy before strolling over to the left of the sticks, before Coote continued his form to add the conversion, leaving the score 18-2 at half time.

Just as in the first half, Salford started the better side, Ken Sio was awarded a try on-field after touching a ball kicked across the ground in the far right corner which Coote was trying to shepherd out, but upon review his foot was out of touch and so it was chalked off.

Five minutes later Saints regained control of the game when Naiqama scored in the right corner after a great pass by Jack Welsby. Mark Percival scored the conversion as Coote had been replaced due to injury to make it 24-2.

Salford grabbed their first try of the evening in the 50th minute as Percival slipped which gave Ken Sio space to score in the right corner before Lolohea added the conversion to make it 24-8.

Saints struck again 10 minutes later, Naiqama scoring their fifth of the evening after Lomax created space on the right for Naiqama to score. Percival converted his second to make it 30-8.

Impressive, Jack Welsby made it six for the Saints in the 65th minute, Lomax playing the short ball to the youngster who drove past one man before scoring by the sticks. Percival scored the conversion to make it 36-8.

Welsby added his second of the night in the 71st minute as he kicked the ball through for himself from a few yards out before diving on the ball to score. Percival converted once more to make it 42-8.

Saints found time to add a an eighth try of the evening as Aaron Smith found Alex Walmsley to power over for his second of the night. Percival made it five conversions leaving the score 48-8, and that’s how the game ended.

Match Summary

Saints 13: Lachlan Coote, Jack Welsby, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Bentley, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dom Peyroux, Louie MaCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Interchanges: Matty Lees, Jack Ashworth, Joseph Paulo, Aaron Smith.

Tries: Zeb Taia, Alex Walmsley (2), Theo Fages, Kevin Naiqama (2), Jack Welsby (2)

Goals: Coote (3) Percival (5).

Salford 13: Niall Evalds, Ken Sio, Kristian Welham, Daniel Sarginson, Rhys Williams, Tui Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Lee Mossop, Joey Lussick, Gil Dudson, James Greenwood, Tyrone McCarthy, Gregory Burke.

Interchanges: Pauli Pauli, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Luke Yates, Joshua Johnson.

Tries: Ken Sio

Goals: Tui Lolohea

Penalties: Lolohea

HT: 18-2

FT: 48-8

Attendance: 12,008