A Weaste of time
Hornets experience parachute failure

It was a deeply unedifying afternoon all round. Not enough that we had to risk our cars in Manchester's very own Beirut; or that we had to stand amongst a crowd that bayed like animals for offside at every play the ball and a penalty at every tackle; or that Hornets were systematically dismantled by a Super League-funded opposition enjoying a sabbatical season of thrashing those part time oiks from up the road. It was simply, the least enjoyable Rugby League experience I've had the displeasure to be a part of for some time.

You can shrug off the swaggering arrogance of a club that looks on the National League like something green in the bottom of a milk bottle; you can swallow a heavy defeat - even when it's meted out by players paid by funds freed-up by the provision of funding for 'off-field activities'.

But when the Salford supporters start taking the p*ss because the players in the team you support have to go to work the following day, you just want the afternoon to end - quickly. Right minded people might even see the irony in Salfordians taking the mickey out of blokes who have to actually go to work - but they think irony is what the wife does while they're at the 'rugby'.

As you'd imagine, the gap between the full-time game and the National League proved too great for Hornets to bridge.

Hunte scooted in after 3 minutes and the locals sat back to enjoy the rout - but Hornets had other ideas. On 6 minutes, Watson sprayed a wide pass to Nanyn who blasted through Andy Kirk to score. He added the extras for good measure and, with an additional penalty to take Hornets out to 8-4, Hally's side were in danger of upsetting the form book. But Salford kicked it up a gear.

By the time John Roper had gathered a spilled bomb and sent Marlon Billy in for a try on 27 minutes, Hornets were 18-12 adrift after quick Salford tries from Littler and Clinch. A Baldwin try on half an hour sent Hornets in 24-12 down at half time.

The second half was a parade. Clinch, Davies, Littler and Beverley kept the scoreboard ticking over - the only respite being a short pause while Wes Rogers was red carded for punching Neil Lowe's lights out and a dozen other players dived into the ensuing melee.

The resumption of play heralded the resumption of the barrage. First Beverley, then Davies on a winding 80 metre run.

Hornets did manage another try - a Watson kick on 72 minutes; Smith the first to react and touch down.

With the clock ticking down, it was Clinch again that put the lid on a convincing win - and a dismal afternoon for everyone from Rochdale.

So there you go - Salford win and their fans go home all happy. And I'm pleased for them - every victory takes them closer to a return to Super League. The National League will be well rid of this dreadful, arrogant club - and once back in the top flight, I'm sure they'll soon resume the position that they and their supporters deserve. The bottom of the food chain.