Ken Sio scores four as Salford ease past Toulouse
Ken Sio scored four tries as Salford continued their impressive start to the new season with a comfortable 38-12 victory over Toulouse.
Last season’s top try scorer Sio struck twice in the first 11 minutes and twice in the last 11 minutes as Paul Rowley’s men followed up their opening-round win at Castleford in some style.
Toulouse, playing in their first ever away game as a Super League team, were punished for their lethargic start but improved with converted tries either side of half-time from Chris Hankinson and Joseph Paulo.
In 2021, it took Salford until the middle of June to register two Super League wins but they have achieved that in the first fortnight of the 2022 season.
Dan Sarginson was named on the bench by Rowley for Salford. Full-back Mark Kheirallah is still yet to feature for Toulouse in Super League.
Ken Sio scores four
Sio’s first try came in the third minute. Mitch Garbutt lost the ball in front of his own posts and from the resulting scrum, Marc Sneyd kicked to the corner where Sio was able to touch down, though Sneyd could not add the conversion.
A 40-metre break by Brodie Croft split the Toulouse defence in the 11th minute. His pass inside bounced off an unfortunate Toulouse defender into the path of Sio who finished off in the corner. Sneyd was unable to convert again.
Salford full-back Ryan Brierley made his home debut. He scored his side’s third try as he tracked a fine break down the touchline by Joe Burgess. Sneyd this time was able to add the extras.
Sneyd scored Salford’s fourth try with 16 minutes of the first half remaining. Spotting the Toulouse defence was struggling to get back, he simply dropped his shoulder and cut infield to score under the posts for a try which he converted himself.
Having been on the back-foot for much of the half, Toulouse finally applied some pressure on the Salford defence with a 40-20 kick and then forced a drop-out.
Their reward came four minutes from half-time. Stand-off Paulo kicked to the corner and Hankinson just managed to ground the ball for a try which he also converted to make it 20-6.
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HT: Salford 20-6 Toulouse
Paulo turned try scorer four minutes after the restart. He reacted quickest to a kick through by full-back Tony Gigot. Hankinson’s goal cut Salford’s lead to just eight points.
The home side were quick to reply. A towering kick from Sneyd caused chaos in the Toulouse defence. The ball was eventually picked up by King Vuniyayawa, who in turn fed Tim Lafai for a simple finish. Sneyd’s goal made it 26-12.
With the heavy rain making life increasingly difficult for both sides in the final quarter, scoring chances were at a premium. However, Sio was able to complete his hat-trick with 11 minutes remaining. He slid onto a kick to the corner by Croft. Sneyd added the conversion.
Sio got his fourth moments later. The winger took an interception close to his own line and raced away to score a try which Sneyd again goaled.
FT: Salford 38-12 Toulouse
Had to be Man of the Match @kensio banging the drum of course! 🥁
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) February 20, 2022
Team news
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Lafai, Cross, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Vuniyayawa, Ackers, Burke, Wright, Greenwood, Taylor.
Subs: Sarginson, Akauola, Addy, Gerrard.
Toulouse: Gigot, Russell, Vaivai, Hankinson, Armitage, Paulo, Albert, Garbutt, White, Navarrete, Bretherton, Dixon, Cunningham.
Subs: Pelissier, Sangare, Puech, Marion.
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