Star date: 25th March 2017

WIDNES 10 SALFORD RED DEVILS 46

As coach Ian Watson signed a new three year deal to stay at Salford Red Devils, his team followed up last week's win over Castleford by taking Widnes Vikings to the cleaners with a 46-10 win at the Select Security Stadium.

Salford were stunning, as Simon Williams reports, with photos by Steve McCormick.

Full match report here...

This result was never in doubt for Ian Watson's side, who did the damage in the first half, scoring thirty unanswered points against the hapless Vikings, who are still without a win.

Salford opened a 10-point lead in the first quarter as fantastic handling allowed Lama Tasi to touch down, the ball moved about with a brilliant series of passes between seven of the team. This was Salford at their best. Then the pacey Greg Johnson scored in the corner, although it was too far out for Gareth O'Brien to kick.

The floodgates well and truly opened when George Griffin went over, and Ben Murdoch-Masila crossed to make it 20-0 after the half hour mark. Two more tries before half-time, from Kris Welham, who was outstanding, and Justin Carney, who was having his best game of the season, gave the Red Devils a 30-0 lead at the break.

The gap between the two sides was very evident after the first forty minutes. Salford were playing like potential champions, and who would back against them on this form?

The Vikings came out for the second half and gave their fans something to cheer as a great looping cut-out pass from Chris Bridge allowed Corey Thompson to run in unopposed. Their joy was short lived though, as Salford restored normal service with debutant Todd Carney throwing a long ball to Junior Sa'u who raced clear before putting Michael Dobson over. The quality of Todd Carney was there for all to see, he was zipping the ball out with great skill and he will improve this team.
 
After a ten minute period with no points, the Red Devils scored two quick-fire tries, with Robert Lui dummying his way over, before Gareth O'Brien, after a great break by Todd Carney, added his name to the score sheet. The Salford fans were in brilliant voice and really were the extra man - the players must have thought it was a home game...

Despite Salford's dominance, the Vikings would score the final points of the game as a kick over the top bounced awkwardly for O'Brien and Thompson kicked into Rhys Hanbury for the try. Salford continued to attack and on the final whistle were on the Widnes try line. They didn't score fifty but on this performance it will not be long before they do. This takes Salford up to fifth in the table and I reckon they won't go any lower this season.

After the game I caught up with Gino Pavia, who said, "This is the best Salford team I have seen in years"...Nathan Archer from Lower Broughton said ; "What a team, our kid has missed a brilliant match"...and dad, Ian Archer, said; "What a brilliant game, best ever I have seen them play in Super League"...

This, for me, has been a brilliant week as a fan, beating the Classy Cas, Wattto signing a new deal as coach of the club, players signing new contracts and a performance like this against Widnes. Oh what a week for all us Salford fans!

Words by Simon Williams

Photos by Steve McCormick