Rugby

REPORT

Salfords Ashley Gibson grabbed a hat-trick of tries as the City Reds turned in their best performance of the season to blitz a poor Bradford Bulls side 56-16 in Round 10 of the engage Super League.

The Reds trailed 6-0 after only 90 seconds but hit back in style to notch only their fourth win of a topsy-turvy campaign.

Salford ran in 10 tries with Australian winger Mark Henry also grabbing a couple and skipper Daniel Holdsworth piling up 20 points with a touchdown and eight goals.

Salford, after successive defeats by Crusaders RL and Castleford Tigers, had Phil Veivers in temporary charge with head coach Shaun McRae on sick leave and Malcolm Alker in apparent dispute with the club.

The Reds had won three of their last four home clashes against Bradford - but all by eight points or less. This was more emphatic.

Salford welcomed back Ashley Gibson in the centre after a four-match injury absence with Chris Nero switching to the second row.

Kyle Briggs returned at stand-off for Bradford after suffering a knee injury in the opening game of the season against Leeds Rhinos, with Gareth Raynor and Olivier Elima also back.

But there was no place for dropped Ian Sibbit or injured Michael Platt against their old club with Patrick Ah Van and Jamie Langley also missing.

The Bulls made a flying start with skipper Andy Lynch charging over from Heath L'Estrange's short pass after only 90 seconds.

Salford prop Ray Cashmere lost possession to hand Bradford the initiative and Lynch crossed for his second try of the season on the last tackle.

Bradford started the brighter with Briggs held up over the line after 12 minutes by desperate defence.

But Salford hit back with two tries in three minutes - both approved by video ref Thierry Alibert - with Holdsworth taking Vinnie Anderson's pass to force his way over and add the conversion.

Holdsworth then threw out a long pass for Henry to squeeze over in the corner despite a brave effort by Raynor.

Holdsworth's touchline conversion made it 12-6.

Bradford were let down by poor handling and paid the price after 26 minutes with Holdsworth and Luke Patten combining for Gibson to mark his comeback with a walk-in try.

Holdsworth's third goal extended the lead to 18-6.

Elliot Whitehead was lucky to escape with only a ticking off from referee James Child for taking out Patten in the air as he fielded a high kick and little went right for the Bulls after their encouraging start.

Salford made it 24-6 at the break with Matty Smith sprinting clear for Patten to put Jodie Broughton over in the corner with Holdsworth maintaining his flawless kicking record.

Bradford needed to score first after the interval and Herbert obliged after 50 seconds with a superb weaving run from a Matt Diskin pass.

Bryn Hargreaves then had a try disallowed for a forward pass from Herbert as the Bulls tried desperately to get back into the contest.

Their hopes looked to be dashed when Steve Wild managed to slip out a pass under pressure and Holdsworth put Matty Smith over to make it 30-10.

Gibson's second try, after shrugging off Paul Sykes, confirmed Salford's superiority and he completed his treble after slick play by Smith, Holdsworth and Patten.

Ratchford added an eighth touchdown after Patten stole the ball from Tom Olbison 10 minutes from time with Holdsworth's conversion making it 44-10.

It was becoming slightly embarrassing for Bradford, who then conceded another try to Henry with Holdsworth's conversion bringing up the half-century.

The Bulls had to wait until three minutes from time for Herbert to bag his second and Bradford's third try.

But Salford still had the final say with Luke Adamson adding their 10th touchdown.