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Reds run ragged by Wildcats

24/ 3/2002

SALFORD went down to a ninth successive Super League defeat when they were beaten 32-18 by Wakefield.

Reds winger Nick Pinkney scored two tries and second rower Jason Nicol also touched down in an entertaining encounter at Belle Vue.

The Wildcats were indebted to half-backs Brad Davis and Ian Knott, who scored the game's first try and kicked six goals on his return from injury.

Twice Salford hit back after the Wildcats had gone in front, with Nicol supporting a break by hooker Malcolm Alker to score their first try and then Pinkney finishing decisively at the corner.

Stand-off Graham Holroyd kicked both conversions to keep his side in contention and they went in front for the first time three minutes into the second half when long passes by Holroyd and Nicol exposed a gap on the Trinity left flank, where Pinkney raced over for his second try.

Holroyd's second touchline conversion put the Reds 18-16 ahead but Trinity hit a purple patch to restore their lead thanks to two converted tries in three minutes, through Slattery and Sovatabua.

Hooker Nathan Wood had a try disallowed but Wakefield made sure of their first win two minutes from the end when Ben Westwood grabbed his side's fifth try.