Salford (16) 34
Tries: Ratchford 3, Holdsworth, Broughton, Jewitt, Adamson
Goals: Holdsworth 3
Wakefield (6) 12
Tries: Lee, Hickey
Goals: Moore 2

Stefan Ratchford has now run in 10 Super League tries this season

Stefan Ratchford claimed a hat-trick as Salford proved too strong for fellow strugglers Wakefield at The Willows.

Salford were stunned by Tommy Lee's early try for Wakefield, converted by Gareth Moore.

But the Reds responded with four of their own before the break, Ratchford's first two bolstered by efforts from Daniel Holdsworth and Jodie Broughton.

Lee Jewitt, Luke Adamson and Ratchford, with his third, wrapped it up, Jarrad Hickey grabbing a consolation try.

That was a nice way for Australian debutant Hickey, who arrived in the country last week after receiving clearance, to mark his first start.

Moore's two goals also marked his Wakefield debut.

Victory for Salford, who announced Australian Matt Parish as their new coach on Thursday, lifts them to ninth, six points clear of 13th-placed Wakefield.

Veivers revealed that he has not yet spoken to new boss Parish, who is due to arrive next month. But, having admitted that is staying as number two, he added that they will "open up lines of communication soon."

Ratchford's three tries, which take him to 10 for the season, highlighted the fact that he is out of contract at the end of the season.

But caretaker boss Phil Veivers' main concern was that they let Wakefield escape too lightly.

Salford caretaker boss Phil Veivers:

"We want Stefan Ratchford to stay and have made him an offer but probably other clubs are interested too.

"We could have had another six or seven tries. We were not as clinical as we could have been and we were guilty of a couple of forward passes and some poor options.

"Our two starting props Ray Cashmere and Ryan Boyle did well and Lee Jewitt gave us a big lift off the bench. And it was good to have Wayne Godwin back too and he provided another gear."

Wakefield boss John Kear:

"Gareth moore showed some good touches and Jarrad Hickey will be the first to admit he is out of condition but he did enough to how he can play rugby league.

"We made a bright start but then errors crept in and we conceded too many penalties and gave away too much possession.

"It was similar to the Catalan game last week. We need 50% possession and are not getting it. A lot of our younger players were performing at their maximum earlier this season but they have dropped off the horse a little."

Salford: Patten; Broughton, Ratchford, Gleeson, Henry; Smith, Holdsworth; Cashmere, Godwin, Boyle, L Adamson, Nero, Anderson.

Replacements: Paleaaesina, Jewitt, Neal, Sidlow.

Wakefield: Blaymire; G Johnson, Murphy, Dean, Griffin; Moore, Lee; Korkidas, Rinaldi, Amor, Mariano, Morrison, McCarthy.

Replacements: Henderson, Davey, Higgins, Hickey.

Attendance: 3,213.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version