Super League: Warrington Wolves maul hapless Salford City Reds

The Wolves blitzed St Helens in the Magic Weekend and were quick out of the blocks on home soil with Ben Westwood scoring two of his three tries of the game inside the opening five minutes.

Joel Monaghan, Ben Currie (2) also crossed the whitewash before half time with Jodie Broughton replying for the visitors. Wolves maintained their attacking potency after the interval, running in a further six tries.

Stefan Ratchford got in on the act, Monaghan added his second, Richie Myler scored against his former club, Westwood completed his hat-trick, with Chris Riley and Michael Monaghan also touching down for the home side.

Salford did score a second through on-loan Lee Gaskell, but it was Tony Smith's side who had the final say when veteran hooker Mickey Higham scored in the final minute.

Fast start

The Wolves needed just three minutes to register their first score as Higham drove to the line from dummy half and Westwood crashed over for his 100th try in club colours seconds later.

His 101st came two minutes later after Simon Grix broke up the middle and sent the ball right for the second row to crash over.

Salford could do little to stem the tide and a third try came as Lee Briers cut out Westwood with a looping pass and Joel Monaghan sped in for his first.

The hosts were almost out of sight with barely a quarter of the game gone as Myler found a gap and then sent Currie in under the posts for his first.

Salford did manage to get themselves on the scoreboard when Broughton showed nimble footwork to sidestep Joel Monaghan outside, but normal service was soon resumed as Myler offloaded superbly to release Currie for his second and, but for knock-ons by Ryan Atkins and Michael Monaghan, the score might have been more than 28-4 at the break.

Vulnerable

The game was as good as over already but Warrington still moved up a gear in the second half and Salford looked vulnerable every time the hosts attacked.

A swift break by Myler released Ratchford within four minutes of the restart and he raced through for a self-converted try. Atkins should have scored on the left after a break by Riley but Joel Monaghan touched down when he stepped in off the right touchline on the Wolves' next attack.

Ratchford then broke clear to turn provider for Myler, who ran rings round a ragged defence before crossing. Westwood brought up the half-century by completing his hat-trick from close range after good work by Michael Monaghan and Riley sprinted down the left touchline for another.

The visitors were embarrassed further when, from the resulting kick-off, Michael Monaghan returned the ball for yet another touchdown.

Salford claimed a consolation when Lee Gaskell was ruled to have touched down late on, with Higham wrapped up the scoring for Warrington when he went behind the posts in the last minute and Ratchford kicked his 10th conversion of an impressive afternoon.