McDonnell scores four tries as Rhinos rout Salford

Betfred Super League

Salford Red Devils (0) 0

Leeds Rhinos (6) 28

Tries: McDonnell 4, Miller Goals: Connor, Miller 3

James McDonnell's four-try haul underpinned a comfortable Leeds victory as they saw off the beleaguered Salford Red Devils to go fifth in the Super League table.

Salford, whose ongoing financial troubles have severely depleted their squad, defended tenaciously throughout the first half to restrict their visitors to a single score by McDonnell and Lachlan Miller's penalty.

But it was a different story after the interval as back rower McDonnell went over twice more inside the first five minutes to complete his hat-trick and Leeds stretched their advantage further when Miller converted his own try.

McDonnell galloped through to register his fourth late on – and had a fifth chalked off for a forward pass – while Salford, who remain second bottom, recorded a blank scoresheet for the fourth time in seven league games.

Salford Red Devils: Atkin, Wagstaffe, Marsters, Vaughan, Glover, Nikorima, Morgan, Ormondroyd, Mellor, Foster, Wright, Shorrocks, Wilson.

Interchanges: Davis, Sangare, Pye, Hill, Yates.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Lumb, Frawley, Connor, Oledzki, O'Connor, Jenkins, Bentley, McDonnell, Palasia.

Interchanges: Gannon, Lisone, Sinfield, Holroyd, Nicholson-Watton.

Referee: Liam Rush