Round 5
Salford City Reds 48 d. Wakefield-Trinity Wildcats 10

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Salford City Reds
David Hodgson [WG] 16 Pts; 8g
Simon Finnigan [LK] 12 Pts; 3t
Paul Highton [PR] 8 Pts; 2t
Karl Fitzpatrick [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
Luke Robinson [HB] 4 Pts; 1t
Andrew Brocklehurst [SR] 4 Pts; 1t

Wakefield-Trinity Wildcats
Jason Demetriou [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Jamie Field [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
David March [BE] 2 Pts; 1g



Finnigan scores hat-trick as Salford thump Wakefield
Mon March 13, 2006
Source: www.reds.co.uk

Simon Finnigan scored a hat-trick for Salford as they continued their fine start to the engage Super League season by outclassing a dismal Wakefield at the Willows.

The Reds' fourth win in five games was founded on a thrilling first-half performance in which Paul Highton (2), Finnigan (2), John Fitzpatrick and Andrew Brocklehurst all touched down to secure a 36-0 interval lead.

Finnigan then wrapped up his hat-trick before Jamie Field and Jason Demetriou restored some pride to the visitors in the final quarter, and Luke Robinson added another late on for Salford.

The in-form Reds burst into the lead from their first set following a high kick from Andrew Dunemann.

Wakefield's Paul White appeared to lose sight of the ball, which bounced in the in goal area and back over his head for Highton to touch down.

Wakefield then twice came within five metres of the Salford line but their New Zealand forward David Solomona then spilled the ball in his own half to hand the initiative back to the hosts.

Scrum-half Luke Robinson lobbed the ball behind Wakefield's defence and Finnigan pounced on the ball - barely breaking his stride - to ease over with 11 minutes gone.

Wakefield's scrum-half Sam Obst, back from a one-game suspension, was held out as he attempted to find an opening moments later.

But then Salford hammered home their superiority, forcing the Wildcats back for Fitzpatrick inside in the 19th minute to touch down under the posts.

Four minutes later, the Wildcats were again on the back foot, and Brocklehurst found a gap following Robinson's pass to go over.

The Willows crowd were then expecting a cricket score after Finnigan charged over from close range for his second try in the 28th minute.

Highton also added a second from close range a minute before the interval.

Although Wakefield briefly stemmed the flow Finnigan registered his hat-trick within six minutes of the restart.

The Reds loose forward strolled over after being fed by Dunemann, with David Hodgson making it seven from seven with the kick.

Ryan Clayton, a close-season signing from Huddersfield, then came on for his debut, while hooker John Clough and prop Gareth Haggerty also came on for Salford at half-time.

On the hour mark, Wakefield finally got themselves on the score sheet when Jamie Field bundled over on the right, and David March added the extras to make it 42-6.

Demetriou further cut the gap five minutes later after breaking clear just inside his own half, and the Australian centre could have added another score moments later but knocked on with the try line at his mercy.

Aaron Moule was denied a late try by the video referee but Robinson gained some reward for his endeavour by forcing his way over in the final minute, and Hodgson scored after the hooter for a 100% record with the boot.

Report source: www.reds.co.uk

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