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Salford City Reds 37 Wakefield Wildcats 0

Dave Lawrenson
25/ 8/2005

ANY lingering relegation fears were finally put to bed with Friday's stunning victory over Wakefield.

Salford produced one of their best performances of the season to leapfrog the Wildcats into ninth spot in the Super League table.

And, with Widnes losing to Warrington two days later, the Reds are at long last safe from the dreaded drop.

Assistant coach Jimmy Lowes said: "We have been scratching our heads wondering where that sort of performance has been all month.

"It was a big turnaround from last week's defeat at Wigan and we should go into the remainder of the season nice and relaxed."

Tony Stewart's first hat-trick of the season was the highlight of the Salford slaughter job.

The winger showed brilliant finishing skills to make Ian Sibbit's creativity count while scrum half Luke Robinson maintained his record of touching down every time Salford have locked horns with Wakefield this season.

Robinson also knocked over a drop goal and set up a close range try for prop Andy Coley.

Karl Fitzpatrick scampered over late on and pulled off two sensational try-saving tackles in an all action display at full back.

And Chris Charles worked tirelessly at loose forward and boasted a 100 per cent record with the boot.

But it was Salford's stonewall defence which will have most pleased head coach Karl Harrison.

They went into every tackle as though their lives depended on it and thoroughly deserved to keep their first clean sheet of the season.

There was a lot of pressure on Salford's shoulders following only two wins in 13 outings.

But you would never have guessed it judging by the way the Reds performed without injured forwards Mark Shipway, Sean Rutgerson and Mitch Stringer.

They bossed the game from the outset and Salford's fans will have gone home with renewed hope for the future.

There is a lot of talent in Salford's ranks and they come across as being a top-notch team on their day. It's just a shame that such days have been few and far between this season!