Super League: Sam Tomkins stars as Wigan Warriors crush Salford City Reds in season opener
Sam Tomkins scored a hat-trick as Wigan raced to a 42-0 win at Salford on the opening night of Super League.
Last Updated: 02/02/13 4:31pm
The Warriors ran in eight tries to ensure Salford's new era - Dr Marwan Koukash completed his takeover of the club on Thursday - got off to a disappointing start.
Tomkins, last year's Man of Steel, got the first points of the new season when he crossed for the opening try in the 12th minute.
Stand-off Blake Green, making his debut, was involved in the build-up, releasing Liam Farrell, who in turn put in Tomkins.
Salford rallied as French youngster Theo Fages, partnering veteran Ryan McGoldrick at half-back, showed promising signs on debut with a 40-20 kick.
That allowed the City Reds the chance to peg Wigan back in front of their own line but they were unable to pierce the defence.
Jack Murphy, who joined the City Reds on loan from Wigan this week, was at fault for both of Wigan's next two tries; Matty Smith barged past him on the line and then dropping a kick, that gave away the field position that soon resulted in Tomkins sending Josh Charnley over.
Charnley's try gave Wigan a 16-0 ahead at half-time and it was more of the same after the break; Ian Thornely, Pat Richards and Farrell all touching down in the first 20 minutes of the half - despite replacement Gil Dudson being sent to the sin-bin for interference.
Tomkins iced the victory with a quickfire double late on, one an individual effort, the other after good work from Green, while Richards landed five of eight conversion attempts.