St Helens 40-4 Salford

St Helens (28) 40 Tries: Albert 2, Sculthorpe 3, Higham, Fa'asavalu Goals: Forber 6 Salford (4) 4 Tries: Littler

St Helens ended a turbulent week with a powerful display to condemn Salford to a seventh straight Super League defeat.

Saints coach Ian Millward recalled 10 players after Monday's loss to Bradford and captain Paul Sculthorpe led the way with a first-half hat-trick of tries.

Young scrum-half Carl Forber marked an assured debut by kicking six goals.

Darren Albert crossed twice and Mickey Higham and Maurie Fa'asavalu also went over, with Stuart Littler scoring Salford's only try.

You can't ask a racehorse to run every week and be at its best, and players can't either St Helens coach Ian Millward

Millward did not have to decide whether to leave out Sean Long and Martin Gleeson, who are both at the centre of an alleged betting scandal, as they are injured.

Despite their absence, Saints had no trouble romping into a 28-4 interval lead in driving rain at Knowsley Road.

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"I thought our skill was outstanding and that there was real commitment in defence and I'm sure the fans appreciated the performance," said Millward.

"It was a good build-up for our Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield.

"It's a tough man's game and no doubt we have a few bumps and bruises because you can't ask a racehorse to run every week and be at its best and players can't either.

We cannot afford to give quality teams quality possession Salford coach Karl Harrison

"Youngster Carl Forber did very well and he was going to play last week but was injured."

Salford boss Karl Harrison said: "I can't fault the players' effort and desire but we cannot afford to give quality teams quality possession.

"It was our fourth game in 14 days for our busted squad and Saints were fresh after making 10 changes.

"But we played very poorly, although there were factors behind the result."

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St Helens: Wellens, Hardman, Albert, Talau, Gardner, Hooper, Forber, Fozzard, Cunningham, Mason, Edmondson, Gilmour, Sculthorpe. Replacements: Fa'asavalu, Dibey, Higham, Graham.

Salford: Beverley, Kirk, Littler, Stewart, Caine, Moana, Clinch, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Baldwin, Shipway, Charles. Replacements: Johnson, Haggerty, P. Highton, Myler.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).