St Helens move top of Super League with victory over Salford

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St Helens defeated Salford 32-12 to put a massive dent in Salford's play-off hopes. Salford found themselves 24-0 down at half-time.

St Helens moved to the top of Super League with a 32-12 win over Salford that was tougher than the scoreline suggested.

After the champions took a 24-0 lead into the break, Salford rallied with a quick brace at the start of the second half, but a try from full-back Shannon McDonnell killed off the Red Devils' resistance and Saints closed out the game.

Salford made a promising start at Langtree Park but it was St Helens who broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when James Roby burst through before finding Tommy Makinson on his inside.

The Saints wing did the rest, dashing home through the last 40 metres for his first try of the night.

Saints then suffered the loss of Roby, who was led off by the club doctor, but with Mark Flanagan slotting into dummy half and the pack getting well on top they began to take control.

Tommy Makinson dives over for one of his two first-half tries

It took a spectacular try to double their account, with McDonnell going the length of the field on a twisting, turning run before slipping the ball wide for Adam Swift to polish off in the corner.

It was all Saints and good hands resulted in Jon Wilkin firing a pass left for Jordan Turner to straighten on to and score.

The hosts scored again one minute before the interval, short passing from Flanagan and Percival sending Makinson in for his second.

Makinson slotted home his fourth goal to make it 24-0, but the Red Devils rocked Saints with two quick tries after the restart.

St Helens try-scorer Shannon McDonnell skips away from Theo Fages

First full-back Niall Evalds chased a clever kick through the posts to touch down and then, on 51 minutes, Rangi Chase supported well on the inside after some strong work from the Red Devils forwards and stretched over.

Suddenly it was all Salford, who monopolised the ball with a succession of repeat sets before a handling error and a penalty pricked the bubble of pressure.

Saints were awarded another penalty in front of the posts, which Makinson goaled to restore a three-score lead going into the last quarter.

And the next score killed it, with Saints prop Andre Savelio punching a hole in the defence and the supporting McDonnell dashing over for a converted try.