A series of defensive errors left Salford Red Devils helpless against a relentless St Helens in the Super League.
Four Saints tries in just 12 minutes overturned a 6-12 defecit to a comfortable victory for the world champions.
Salford travelled up the East Lancashire Road, not winning away at St Helens since 1989.
Undeterred, Red Devils charged out of the gates and took an early lead, Brodie Croft crossing after a superb run from King Vuniyayawa.
Brodie Croft breaks the deadlock for @SalfordDevils 👹#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/3vyrOc0HTS
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) May 13, 2023
Errors littered the Saints attack early on, giving away multiple loose balls and penalties to relieve any pressure they might have had against the Salford defence.
The Red Devils’ tenacious forward play caused the St Helens’ defence all sorts of problems in the first 25 minutes, lynchpinned by Croft.
Brierley put Salford two tries up, giving the travelling fans a glancing look at ending the 43-year wait.
Salford extend their lead 🏉#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/zfidGta5hp
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) May 13, 2023
But the World Champions began to find their groove, James Roby escaping Salford’s tackling to put Curtis Sironen in.
The Kiwi laid it off to James Bell who crossed the try line and closed the gap.
Mistakes began to creep into the Reds’ offensive play, a series of forward passes giving Saints the momentum into the half time break.
A Matty Costello error gave Saints possession just one minute in after the half, with Curtis Sironen reaching over the line.
Tommy Makinson missed his chance to equalise, shanking his conversion attempt wide of the posts.
Saints piled men forward looking to carry the momentum into a lead.
Rhys Williams played a poor pass across his own try line to Croft, the ball bouncing into the path of Jonny Lomax, taking Saints to a 16-12 lead.
Salford nearly repeated the same error just a minute later, narrowly recovering just inches from the line.
But the Saints domination was too much, Makinson finishing off the move to put Saints 10 clear within 11 minutes.
Salford’s defensive implosion continued, a series of set restarts allowing Joe Batchelor to add a further four.
The Reds managed to get a foothold in the match, their best chance being thwarted by a superb Makinson tackle.
Errors and a relentless press from St Helens meant most of the second half was played exclusively in the Salford half, with cheers coming from the Saints fans for every tackle.
The full time whistle could not come fast enough for Paul Rowley’s side, who face Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup next week.
Saints move to within breathing distance of Salford, two points behind having played one game less.
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