Smith inspires Reds romp

Matty Smith: ran the show

Salford produced their best display of the Super League season so far with an eight-try demolition of London.

Chris Nero and Sean Gleeson each crossed for two touchdowns, but it was Matty Smith who provided so much of the inspiration for an exhilllarating display of attacking rugby.

The Reds were helped by some fairly woeful defending by London, who have yet to find their feet this season and have to look right back to August 20 last year for their last win - against eventual champions Leeds.

Broncos actually started the brighter with Michael Robertson, who had scored three tries in his opening four games, only prevented from adding to his tally by a Daniel Holdsworth tackle after Craig Gower shot past Reds skipper Stephen Wild.

Ashley Gibson responded for Salford but chose to kick instead of giving Gleeson a return pass and Liam Colbon cleared the danger.

But there was no denying the Reds after 14 minutes following a magnificent 40-metre run from Luke Patten, who weaved his way through a posse of defenders to send Nero over in the corner for his first try of the season.

Patten's bursts from full back caused the Broncos problems and Salford would have gone further ahead had substitute Jordan James not spilled Matty Smith's pass over the line.

The reprieve was short-lived with Iefeta Paleaaesina putting Holdsworth through a gap for the supporting Luke Adamson to cross and stretch the lead to 8-0 after 26 minutes.

Holdsworth was off-target with both of his conversion attempts but made no mistake adding the extras to Smith's effort eight minutes before the break, after Holdsworth had sent Wild racing through.

Impressive

The impressive Paleaaesina made a big impact off the bench and blasted over from dummy half after Gareth Owen was held short, with Holdsworth's goal extending the lead to 20-0.

London's problems piled up after 46 minutes when Smith and Holdsworth combined for Gleeson to add a fifth try to increase the lead to 26-0.

Joel Moon went over from Nero's touchline burst before turning provider for Nero to cross for his second try.

Gleeson completed his brace to extend the lead to 42-0 before David Howell did manage a consolation effort for London 15 minutes from time.

Antonio Kaufusi added a second try, both converted by Michael Witt, but it was a tough night for the Broncos who have now lost six straight against the Reds.