A much-changed Hornets side shipped 12 tries to go down 68-nil at the Willows, but the scoreline belies the effort put in by Bobbie Goulding's charges.

With key players rested ahead of the season's start next Friday, it was the last chance for some fringe players to stake a claim for a first team shirt.

But it wasn't the best of starts.

Salford raced into a 14-nil lead inside 12 minutes courtesy of three consecutive 45 metre penalties which swept the home side upfield. The home support at their jeering best sat back and waited for the floodgates to open. But Hornets had other ideas.

With sufficient possession and a more balanced approach from the man in the middle, Hornets clawed themselves back into the game. With the defence working overtime and playing some decent football in the Salford half, Hornets made a contest of it.

For 24 minutes they matched - and frustrated Salford. And, oh, how the locals didn't like it. Obviously expecting minnows like us to capitulate as per the script, any semblance of resistance raised the ire in the home support and had them baying for action.

As it was, Salford's pressure eventually told in the 39th minutes when quick hands unzipped a tiring Hornets defence out wide. The locals clapped and danced to their little tune. Pavlovian.

Having dared to compete in the first 40, Hornets reaped the recoil in the second. With an obvious rocket up 'em, it was a very different Salford. Playing at a much higher tempo, the home side exploited every opportunity to run in a further 8 tries.

The last, in the dying seconds, saw Hornets full-back Carl Sneyd knocked out cold with a neck injury. Play was stopped for close on 10 minutes while medical staff stabilised him on the stretcher and he was carried gingerly from the field.

Fortunately, Carl was up and about after the game, so we're all hoping that he has nothing more than a headache this morning.

For the record, Salford's try scorers were: White, Wilshere, Littler, Myler 2, Fitzpatrick, Ratchford 2, Gardner, Stapleton, Ballard 2. Goals: Ballard 10

Now - on with the serious stuff.