St Helens (20) 38
Tries: Wilkin 2, Pryce, Flannery, Gardner, Graham, Cunningham Goals: Long 5

Salford (0) 12
Tries: Fitzpatrick, Thornley Goals: Ratchford 2

Flannery scored the fourth of St Helens seven tries

Jon Wilkin scored two tries as St Helens continued their good start to the season with a resounding win against a battling Salford.

Wilkin scored both his tries in a first-half onslaught that also saw Leon Pryce and Chris Flannery touch down.

The second half was much the same as first Ade Gardner and then James Graham and Keiron Cunningham scored converted tries to make the score 38-0.

Karl Fitzpatrick and Andrew Thornley scored late Reds consolation tries.

The game proved an unhappy return for Salford coach Shaun McRae, who had a successful stint as Saints coach between 1996 and 1998, as his tough return to the big time with the Reds continues.

However, despite being outclassed for most of this encounter by an impressive St Helens outfit, his side never lost heart and were rewarded with the late scores.

The hosts went ahead in the 11th minute when a simple passing sequence saw Cunningham find Sean Long to his left and the scrum-half's neat offload found Wilkin advancing forward at pace to sidestep Robbie Paul and cross near the left corner.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the St Helens win over Salford

After a brief period of pressure from Salford, the home side again exerted their authority with another simple move that culminated in Cunningham and Long, who kicked five goals throughout, combining to allow Pryce to scamper over the line from 12 yards out.

Saints claimed their third score in the 36th minute when Long's high kick caused confusion in the home defence and Wilkin arrived to touch down.

The home side added a fourth try on the stroke of half-time when Flannery finished off another sweeping attack in the left corner.

St Helens had their fifth score early in the second half when James Roby's blistering run was halted by Malcolm Alker but the ball was quickly recycled to the right flank where Long found Gardner and he burrowed his way over for a try.

Saints youngster Gary Wheeler had a try ruled out for double movement on the hour mark but Graham soon squeezed over the line and Cunningham went over from acting half two minutes later.

Fitzpatrick's score and Thornley's late effort - both in the left corner and both converted by Ratchford - gave Salford some semblance of respectability.

St Helens coach Mick Potter:

"The two points helps us to stay in touch with Leeds.

"I thought Jon Wilkin was outstanding tonight and probably did more than he was asked to do.

"But we have still have work to do and probably need to improve our execution."

Salford coach Shaun McRae:

"It's a bit eerie really and it doesn't feel like a loss at all.

"There was enough and character showed that suggested we are on the up.

"There was a lot of improvement and it was summed up for me in the second half when Malcolm Alker tracked back and stopped James Roby.

"It showed the character in the side and I think our supporters - who I thought were terrific - saw a lot of effort and determination from the players."

St Helens : Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Flannery, Wheeler, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Wilkin, Dixon, Clough.
Replacements : Cayless, Roby, Ashurst, Emmitt.

Salford : Fitzpatrick, Henry, Littler, Turner, Ratchford, Smith, Paul, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Parker, Swain.
Replacements: Leuluai, Thornley, Nash, Sidlow.

Referee : R Silverwood (Dewsbury)

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