OF LOVE! Just rewards
pass for Zeb Taia to dive over. Lachlan Coote converted both tries and Salford were in all sorts of trouble having not been out of their own half with the ball in the opening 27 minutes.
When their first opening came it was almost deadly though, with Tui Lolohea’s run deserving better than having a try disallowed for obstruction.
But it crucially raised Salford’s spirits and minutes later Jake Bibby went in after great service by half-back duo Lolohea and Jackson Hastings.
Krisnan Inu converted to cut Saints’ lead to six points and the game took on a whole different complexion.
The Red Devils started to discover more fire, fight and flair and Saints now knew they had a battle on their hands.
But they hadn’t suffered so much in recent times to allow this game to slip out of their grasp.
Mark Percival touched down his own grubber-kick under the posts in the 50th minute to restore their 12-point lead.
Coote stretched the advantage with two penalties before towering prop Thompson finally came off for a rest in the 72nd minute.
The England star, who is expected to be named in the Great Britain squad tomorrow, deservedly won the Harry Sunderland man of the match award.
England winger Tommy Makinson wrapped up the win with a rare drop-goal in the 78th minute. NIALL EVALDS KEN SIO
KRIS WELHAM JAKE BIBBY KRISNAN INU
TUI LOLOHEA JACKSON HASTINGS LEE MOSSOP LOGAN TOMKINS GIL DUDSON GEORGE GRIFFIN JOSH JONES TYRONE McCARTHY SUBSTITUTES