Salford made it a perfect start to the qualifiers with a comprehensive victory over a struggling Widnes side.
The visitors made a bright start going over for the first points of the match, veteran half back Liam Finn’s high kick wasn’t dealt with by the Salford defence. Charlie Runciman touched down in the corner. Christian Inu with a perfect conversion off the touch line.
Both sides traded sets with the home supporters starting to get a little anxious.
With sixteen minutes on the clock Junior Sau powered over for a trade mark try. Ed Chamberlain who’s kicking has been excellent slotted the touch line conversion with ease to level the score. On the next set Robert Lui booted a 40-20 kick to get Salford on the front foot, Jackson Hastings error though let the Vikings off the hook.
The Red Devils didn’t have to wait long though as Sau grabbed his second try after a nice move and good work from Hastings. Again Chamberlain landed the difficult conversion 12-6.
Speedsters Chamberlain and Niall Evalds combined well, the latter shot off on a thrilling break. Patrick Ah Van coming to the rescue for Widnes.
The Vikings were struggling for field position coming up with numerous errors in there own half. At times they looked a desperate side who are certainly feeling the pressure.
In the closing stages of the first half Salford’s Joey Lussick was sin binned.
Olly Ashall-Bott had really caught the eye for the Vikings, the 20 year old fullback had been excellent under the high ball and very exciting going forward. He picked an injury up and was helped from the field, the incident was put on report although it looked like a routine tackle.
Leading 12-6 at half time despite Salford’s territorial dominance the game was still on a knife edge. However five minutes in to the second half Robert Lui burrowed over from close range to extend the lead.
Evalds again showing lightning pace on one of his trade mark breaks looked to have beaten the Widnes defence but lost his boot and tried to pass inside but the chance evaded him.
53 minutes gone and a Salford penalty sees a call for take the two ring around the ground. The advice is duly obliged with Ed Chamberlain kicking the goal to take the sting out of Widnes at 20-6.
A classy piece of play on the hour set Evalds up for a well deserved try. Chamberlain making it 5/5 with his goal kicking to put the game to bed.
The Red Devils rounded the scoring off when Aussie duo Hastings and Lussick combined with a nice ball back on the inside for Mark Flanagan to steam over.
A faultless kicking display from Chamberlain capped off a super result 32-6.
A delighted Ian Watson speaking after the match highlighted the impact his new signings have had and is particularly pleased with the balance and spine of his side. There is still plenty of work to be done in the remaining five matches but the perfect start Salford have made puts them in a good place. Three wins on the trot for the first time since May 2017 and confidence continues to grow. The Red Devil’s now have a good break before they play Halifax in a fortnight.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick 📷
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