Rugby League: Warrington 42, Salford 6

Jul 16 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

WARRINGTON coach Paul Cullen saluted new teenage star Kevin Penny after his sizzling hat-trick took his try tally to nine in six matches.

Penny starred as Warrington put struggling Salford City Reds further into relegation trouble with a 42-6 engage Super League win.

Cullen said: "Kevin’s final try took some scoring. We’ve had it in our armoury for a while and Richie Barnett scored one from Lee Briers’ kick.

"But this was even better, to outpace two chasers was very special and Kevin has the potential to play top level football.

"He has the pace for all to see and has taken his chance exceptionally well.

"Henry Fa’afili delivered him some great balls, Adrian Morley was almost unstoppable and Jon Clarke was very smart from dummy half. Chris Bridge has gone through a difficult period with injuries but we have been very patient and he is paying us back."

But Warrington suffered a blow with Michael Sullivan breaking his arm.

Cullen added: "It was a clean break but if it needs plating he could be out for the rest of the season."

Salford coach Shaun McRae admitted his side had failed to bounce back following a loss to Wakefield.

He said: "I thought we would respond after last week’s defeat by Wakefield but this was very similar, and we were unable to cope with the conditions. The scoreline reflected the difference between the sides.

"We were already without five players and lost another three before half- time which did not help."

Salford lost Ian Sibbit with a calf injury, Mark Edmondson with ankle and knee problems and Gray Viane with blurred vision.

But despite his side’s problems McRae kept his focus away from their lowly position in the table.

He added: "The issue of relegation does not concern me at the moment because if we play well we will win games.

"Too much is being made of it with eight games to go and I don’t want to put the blokes under any more pressure.

"But clearly we need to turn things around."