Salford suffer another Super League thrashing

Wakefield Trinity 72 - 10 Salford Red Devils

Wakefield Trinity equalled their biggest-ever Super League victory with a 72-10 demolition of Salford Red Devils, scoring 13 tries in a dominant performance.

Author | Oliver W

In-form Trinity took full advantage of a disorganised Salford defence to move into the top six. Lachlan Walmsley crossed twice, while Mike McMeeken, Max Jowitt, Caius Faatili and Mason Lino all touched down before half-time to give the home side a 30-0 lead.

Salford offered a brief response through Jonny Vaughan and Nene Macdonald after the break, but Wakefield maintained their relentless tempo. Ellis Lingard scored twice on his home debut, with Cameron Scott, Josh Rourke, Seth Nikotemo, Jay Pitts and Faatili adding further tries against a visiting defence that offered little resistance.

The margin of victory matched Wakefield’s record win in the competition, which also came in a 72-10 result against Hull FC in 2018.

Issues continue on and off the field

Salford remain anchored to the bottom of the table after a seventh straight defeat. Off-field financial issues continue to take a toll, with the squad weakened by injuries to Jayden Nikorima and Ethan Ryan, and further disrupted by Castleford Tigers’ decision to recall George Hill, leaving the Red Devils with just 18 players for the trip across the Pennines.

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Wakefield, fresh from a thumping win over Warrington Wolves, showed no let-up. Salford’s reshuffled backline, with Macdonald filling in at full-back, struggled to cope. Trinity kept up a point-a-minute pace for much of the first half.

A lapse in concentration from Lino allowed Vaughan to score Salford’s opening try. However, Trinity responded immediately as Scott chased down Jowitt’s grubber kick to restore the 30-point gap.

Rourke was gifted a simple score after Macdonald and Chris Hankinson both failed to claim a high ball. Nikotemo added his name to the scoresheet before coach Daryl Powell handed 18-year-old Lingard a chance from the bench. His first try took Trinity beyond the 50-point mark.

Macdonald offered a rare bright moment for the visitors, marking his 200th career appearance with a try. But Pitts, celebrating his 150th outing for Wakefield, responded with his first score of the campaign. Faatili, who signed a new three-year deal this week, continued his fine form with a second try.

Lingard then capped off a record-equalling night with the final score, underlining Wakefield’s resurgence and Salford’s deepening troubles.