Walsh stars as Saints stampede over Bulls

London: St Helens` Australian play-maker Luke Walsh inspired his side to an emphatic 50-0 Super League win over an injury-hit Bradford Bulls on Sunday.

The hosts had eight first-team regulars absent, including Australian Brett Kearney and former Parramatta Eels star Manase Manuokafoa, with Saints taking full advantage to run in nine tries. Jon Wilkin started the rout before Walsh added a second try and Jonny Lomax and Wilkin chipped in further scores before the break. Tommy Makinson, Adam Swift, Sia Soliola, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and James Roby also crossed as the Saints moved to within one point of leaders Leeds against a Bradford side, who despite the handicap of a six-point deduction for entering administration, are no longer bottom of the table. Joe Grima was unable to get his reign as London Broncos head coach off to a winning start, losing out 30-16 to Huddersfield Giants on Saturday as the basement club were beaten once again. Grima, who replaced fellow Aussie Tony Rea after he had stepped down following the Broncos` 11-game winless start to the Super League season, watched his side go 16-10 up at the break. Atelea Vea, Alex Foster and former Melbourne Storm winger Denny Solomona all touched down in the first-half but Anthony Mullally`s try levelled matters before Ukuma Ta`ai`s second try and a Leroy Cudjoe effort, as well as Danny Brough`s kick, saw the Giants win. Also on Saturday, Salford and Hull KR played out a 16-16 draw. Craig Sandercock`s Rovers led at the half-way stage after tries from Kris Welham and Kevin Larroyer, with Francis Meli replying for Salford. The former Auckland Warriors wing was on the score-sheet again after the break following Jake Mullaney`s kick for the Red Devils, before Neville Costigan and Martin Gleeson traded tries as the game ended in a draw. Leeds cemented top spot on Thursday thanks to a 22-14 win over Castleford -- their seventh straight Super League victory. Ben Jones-Bishop and Kallum Watkins both grabbed two tries to secure the win after Kirk Dixon and Marc Sneyd had put the hosts 14-12 up. While on Friday, Warrington eased to a 42-10 win over Catalan Dragons. Joel Monaghan crossed twice alongside Anthony England and Stefan Ratchford before Chris Bridge, Mickey Higham and James Laithwaite joined the party after the break. At the KC Stadium, visitors Wigan condemned Hull FC to their heaviest defeat of the season. Dan Sarginson scored three tries in the 44-16 victory for the champions with Anthony Gelling (2), Jack Hughes, Joe Burgess and Dominic Manfredi also crossing. Jamie Shaul and New Zealand-born Fetuli Talanoa replied for the hosts after the break. Friday also saw Widnes play host to Wakefield and it was the visitors who came away with the 24-18 victory after former Penrith Panthers man Jarrod Sammut played in Paul Sykes for the winning try. Tries from Declan Hulme and Paddy Flynn had drawn Widnes level following efforts from Chris Riley and Richard Moore, before Hulme edged them in front. Although Harry Siejka again levelled, Sykes had the final say.