Salford City Reds 42 - Leigh
Centurions 6

Stuart Littler grabbed his second hat-trick of the season as high-flying Salford made it three engage Super League victories in a row against bottom club Leigh at the Willows by 42-6.

The 26-year-old centre raced over for a treble in last month?s 42-10 win over Warrington and was in great form again as the Reds ran riot in the second half tonight, taking his tally for the year to eight overall.

Former Wigan starlet Luke Robinson also once again showed his former club what they are missing with an inspired performance as the 20-year-old scrum-half crossed over for two tries to make it seven in Salford?s last four games, which also includes a Challenge Cup win at Rochdale.

Leigh had arrived in good heart following last week?s thrilling draw with Hull and they went ahead through a Ben Cooper try.

However, Salford replied with touchdowns from Ian Sibbit and Littler to lead 12-6 at the interval and eventually cruised to victory with six more tries in the second half.

Both defences held out well under pressure in the opening 10 minutes before Leigh went ahead when Cooper latched on to a lofted pass from Phil Jones and went over in the corner.

Salford almost hit back when prop Sean Rutgerson made a sensational break from inside his own half but the South African knocked on when he was hauled down inches short of the line.

The home side continued to push forward however and some good work from Cliff Beverley put Sibbit in for a try which Chris Charles converted to give the Reds the lead for the first time. Salford extended their advantage when Littler burst on to a well-timed Malcolm Alker pass 40 metres out and rounded full-back Nick Owen.

The two sides then swapped penalties to send Salford into the break just six points ahead. Leigh started the second half badly however when failing to find a touch from a penalty in their own half and they were made to pay when Robinson raced over from the resulting possession the youngster threw an outrageous dummy before scampering between two Leigh defenders.

Robinson then turned provider as a superb inside ball gave Littler just enough of a gap to power through two tackles and scramble over the line.

Another conversion from Robinson stretched the lead and the former Wigan starlet kept the scoreboard ticking over again as he backed up a great break from Junior Langi and danced past three Leigh defenders for another try.

Leigh were now a spent force and Salford prop Andy Coley added to their misery when barging over from close range.

Littler then completed his hat-trick after more good work from Langi on the wing and sub Gareth Haggerty completed the rout in the closing minutes.

Salford: Hodgson, Langi, Littler, McGuinness, Stewart, Beverley, Robinson, Rutgerson, Alker, Stringer, Sibbit, Coley, Charles. Replacements: Jonkers, Baldwin, Shipway, Haggerty.

Leigh: Owen, Smyth, Jackson, Cooper, Maden, Jones, Wilshere, Fleary, Rowley, Sturm, Stapleton, Leafa, Knott. Replacements: Stevens, Taylor, Marshall, McCurrie.

Salford 42. Tries: Sibbit, Littler 3, Robinson 2, Coley, Haggerty. Goals: Charles 2, Robinson 3.

Leigh 6. Tries: Cooper. Goals: Owen.

Referee: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley)

Att: 5,021

Thanks to: http://www.superleague.co.uk for another excellent article.