Saints rip Reds to shreds

St Helens heaped more misery on sorry Salford with a resounding 56-22 triumph at the Willows - a venue they had not won at since 2007.

Despite being without injured joint captains Paul Wellens and James Graham Saints ran in 10 tries, eight of which were converted by Jamie Foster.

Having seen their team now concede 98 points in their first two matches of the new Super League season, Reds fans were quick to vent their frustration at the final hooter.

There were loud calls for coach Shaun McRae to be sacked after his new-look side suffered a second successive hammering at the start of 2011.

Eastmond impressive

Kyle Eastmond played a starring role for the visitors, the young half-back - who has been heavily linked with a cross-code switch to rugby union - touched down twice in a first half that Saints completely dominated.

James Roby was again impressive while stand-off Lee Gaskell also caught the eye on his second full appearance in Super League.

Saints crossed twice in the opening nine minutes to give Salford a warning of what was to come - second-rower Chris Flannery struck the first blow and then Eastmond quickly followed him over the line, both tries coming from kicks.

Salford briefly threatened to make a game of it when Luke Patten took a pass from skipper Daniel Holdsworth to mark his home debut with a try.

However it only proved to offer temporary respite for the Reds, Roby forcing his way over from close range before Francis Meli proved unstoppable from 10 metres out after accepting Gaskell's pass.

Tony Puletua's outrageous offload allowed Eastmond to complete his brace with 33 minutes gone before the scorer turned provider, providing the final pass for stand-in full-back Jonny Lomax to touch down.

Winger Ade Gardner had the easiest of run-ins two minutes before the interval to make the score 38-6 in favour of Royce Simmons' side at half time.

Brief rally

The Reds briefly rallied when they scored a second try just a minute into the second half, a rare Saints error from Lomax in the swirling wind letting in winger Gibson.

Yet barely had the applause stopped from the Salford spectators when Patten fumbled the re-start, allowing Gaskell to get a try his performance deserved.

Substitute Paul Clough crashed over for a ninth try after only 45 minutes, with Foster bringing up the half-century for St Helens with his seventh successful conversion.

Centre Michael Shenton got his name on the scoresheet, registering his first try for his new club after a successful kick-and-chase, before Saints took their foot off the gas for the final quarter.

Salford gave the final score a slightly more respectable look with efforts from Stefan Ratchford and Jodie Broughton, Holdsworth adding both conversions. However the home faithful let their feelings known at the end, leaving McRae - who is in the final year of his current deal - firmly on the hot seat.