It was tit-for-tat as Salford scored the 50-odd points against Workington Town they had conceded at the Fibrus Community Stadium earlier in the season.
But a lot has changed since Town hit the half-century mark in early March and the Reds now sit five points clear of the Cumbrians with six wins from their 16 games so far.
It’s no consolation that Town won the two tussles on aggregate with their 52-10 win and yesterday’s 52-28 defeat.
As so often has happened this season Town surrendered the initiative and momentum by conceding on only two minutes.
Braden Leigh lost the ball following a scrum and Kieran Dixon flew over out-wide for a fairly easy opening try which went unconverted.
Salford were over again after seven minutes when Jack Bibby scored and this time Dixon was able to add the conversion.
Town hit back on 12 minutes when Zarrin Galea followed up his own kick through to collect and score but Jake Carter’s conversion attempt hit the post.
Brad Dwyer was running the show for Salford and on 19 minutes he put in a great burst which ended with Ollie Garmston scoring and Dixon converting for 16-4.
Salford then scored again on 23 minutes as Logan Blacker lost possession in a hard challenge and Cole Oakley raced 50 metres for the try and conversion.
Town rallied well and reduced the arrears with a contender for try of the season.
On loan half-back Blacker chipped twice and regathered to score a metre inside the dead ball line for a great scoring effort.
Carter converted and at half-time Town trailed 22-10 but still in the contest.
Four minutes into the second half Town felt they were hard done by when a touch judge appeared to miss a clear knock-on as Reece Stanton went in for a try which Dixon converted.
Jordan Baldwin was then sent to the bin for a foul as Town were looking to go clean through to score.
But despite being a man down Salford went 22 points clear as Wigan Warriors loanee Nathan Lowe glided through some poor Town defending for an unconverted try.
Town got back on the scoreboard on 57 minutes when Tuarae Rawhiti scored off his own kick after Dixon fouled-up as he looked to launch a wide pass. Carter converted for 32-16.
On the hour Garmston scored his second and Dixon added the conversion.
Town were over again with 17 minutes to go as Jack Ainley finished well and Carter added the extras.
When play moved to the other end Town’s defence was left wanting as Garmston crossed for his hat-trick try after assistance from ex-Town player Joe Hartley.
But yet again Town responded and crossed when Galea ran through a huge gap for his second try. Carter’s conversion was Town’s final addition to the score-line.
Salford weren’t finished, though, and Dwyer raced through from 10 metres and Dixon converted.
Salford passed 50 when the Town defence was again left wanting. Dwyer placed a lovely kick in behind and Owain Abel did the rest.
Man of the match: Jack Ainley.
- Workington Town Ladies bowed out of the Challenge Shield, beaten 48-0 at Warrington.
