Super League: Salford City Reds see off London Broncos

Lee Gaskell: a hat-trick in the first half for Salford

Full-back Gaskell's first-half hat-trick was part of an eight-try assault as the Reds avenged a heavy defeat at home to the Broncos earlier this season.

The visitors made a lightning start, Gaskell romping home to finish off a Jodie Broughton break with barely three minutes on the clock.

London were simply unable to make their tackles count and a host of missed hits allowed Ashley Gibson to further the Reds' lead when he crept in at the corner on 12 minutes.

The visitors ran in a third try on 14 minutes, Broughton racing home from inside his own half as the Broncos' defence parted ways.

And more slick handling from the Reds saw a fourth score soon after, Gaskell racing in for his second after a flowing move involving Theo Fages and Ryan McGoldrick.

It was purely one-way traffic, and on 23 minutes Salford struck again, Wayne Godwin burrowing over from close range after a wave of pressure.

London were able to stem the tide somewhat after that, and even managed to grab a try of their own before the break when Erjon Dollapi showed great strength to muscle through two tackles and touch down.

But even that was soon cancelled out, Gaskell sprinting home for his hat-trick try on the hooter after Jordan James had sliced open the Broncos defence.

Spark

New signing Jamie Soward was at least adding some spark to the London attack, and a jinking run on 45 minutes allowed Mike Bishay to crash over for the Broncos' second score.

Suddenly the hosts had their tails up, adding a further try three minutes later when Jacob Fairbank smashed over from close range.

But Salford steadied the ship, worked their way upfield and scored the killer try just after the hour mark, Fages easing home after more slack tackling from the Broncos.

Back came London, though, and it was that man Soward with the try, cashing in after a break from Joel Wicks.

Any thoughts of a London comeback though were quickly snuffed out when Broughton claimed his second as he broke through in the corner, although the Broncos were to have the final say when Dan Sarginson was on hand to finish a searing break from Kieran Dixon.