It remains possible that points difference could decide who will follow Leeds and Leigh into the Super League next season so, if Salford are to claim that third and final spot, performances like this will do them no harm at all.
After being handed a daunting run of fixtures to start the Qualifiers – which resulted in a solitary win from their opening four games – the Red Devils were in danger of missing even the Million Pound Game, let alone automatic promotion.
But this 13-try victory against Championship club Featherstone, coupled with their final two fixtures also being against second-tier sides, boosted their chances of avoiding a disastrous relegation.
A disappointing start and the pressure that came with it had at least defined Salford’s task: win convincingly. With off-field uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club and the confirmation that their director of rugby, Tim Sheens, will take up the head coaching position at Hull KR next year, it would have been easy for Salford to fall foul of another upset here.
But Ian Watson’s side were ruthless in attack, leading 44-12 at half-time courtesy of eight tries and adding a further 26 points after the break to give their points difference a significant increase before what promises to be a compelling buildup to the Million Pound Game.
“We’re aware of the points difference situation,” Watson said. “We need to keep being professional and not get bored in attack but that was a very professional performance from us.”
Leigh’s promotion on Saturday ensured one Super League side will be relegated this season in the sudden-death finale.
Results elsewhere – largely involving Hull KR – will dictate whether automatic promotion is beyond Salford but, if they are to sneak into the top three, results similar to this one against London and Batley are practically essential in a fascinating final fortnight.
Hull KR kept their hopes of avoiding the Million Pound Game alive by cruising to a 58-18 win at London Broncos on Jamie Peacock’s return to the field.
Head of rugby Peacock came out of retirement last week and carried the ball well after coming on half an hour into the match, but it Thomas Minns, with a hat-trick of tries, who was the star of the show.
The visitors had built a 24-point deficit within 15 minutes and despite a fightback of sorts in the second half, London were comfortably second best.
Victory takes Hull up to third, level on points with fourth-placed Huddersfield, with the top three guaranteed Super League rugby next season.
Rovers started the rout when returning captain Terry Campese’s inch-perfect kick was cleanly taken by Minns for the opening score.
Just minutes later, sustained pressure in the home side’s half allowed Campese to kick well once more and Minns again climbed highest to score his second.
Rovers continued to penetrate and, after 10 minutes, Mantellato’s audacious one-handed offload to the supporting Ben Cockayne gave Rovers their third try.
After the restart, Campese sliced through the hosts’ defence from deep to gain 40 metres, and two phases later Kieran Dixon went over the corner to open up a 24-point lead. Despite their lack of possession and territory during the opening onslaught, Broncos, too, found their groove.
Two sets of six gave them good field position and a blind offload was claimed by Alex Walker who crashed over from 10 metres out, much to the delight of the crowd. They were just as delighted when a strong period of play resulted in a deft kick from scrum-half Jamie Soward which was touched down by James Cunningham under the posts.
But Hull retook control in the second half. A couple of slick offloads gave them a way through the hosts’ defence, with James Greenwood scoring to build on their lead, but Mantellato missed his first attempt at goal of the afternoon. Five minutes later Matty Marsh manipulated the Broncos defence, dipped through a gap and side-stepped the onrushing last man to complete an impressive solo try.
With 25 minutes to play, Broncos hit back with William Barthau diving over from close range but any hopes of a fightback were soon extinguished when Campese burst through a lacklustre defence, drew the last man and sent James Donaldson over.
A minute later, Shaun Lunt broke two tackles and unselfishly passed to Marsh who ran in under the sticks and Rovers’ sustained pressure told once again when Marsh’s kick was spilled by Barthau, gifting Will Jubb the easiest of scores.
Broncos and Rovers then exchanged sets in the middle of the pitch, before Minns completed his treble.
