Platt stars in Bulls win

Michael Platt grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Bradford climbed into the top two of engage Super League with a 10-try 56-18 romp against Salford.

Platt has scored six tries in Super League's opening five rounds since moving from Castleford, while try scorer David Solomona, Bradford's off-season recruit from Wakefield, also produced his best display in a Bulls shirt.

Shontayne Hape (2), Marcus St Hilaire, Ian Henderson and Chris McKenna (2) were Bradford's other try scorers while Andy Coley and Luke Dorn crossed for Salford.

The hosts started superbly, charging to an 18-0 lead inside the opening quarter. Solomona's offload sent half-back Paul Deacon galloping clear. With Salford's defence stretched, Bradford quickly moved the ball from left to right before Platt surged on to Iestyn Harris' floating pass to open the scoring.

Three minutes later, Solomona took centre stage by charging over from close range despite the efforts of two Salford defenders.

Then his break and wonderful reverse flick gave Hape enough space to burst clear as the Bulls recorded their third try inside the opening 14 minutes.

Prop forward Coley replied for the Reds after stepping out of Joe Vagana's attempted tackle but Bradford kept their foot on the gas through St Hilaire's diving effort.

Steve McNamara's side could have been forgiven for believing they had the match won, but Daley Williams' 60-metre break was supported by Dorn to cut the gap to 22-12 at half-time.

However, Salford's resistance was short-lived, with Harris sending Hape over for his second before Sam Burgess combined with Andy Lynch to allow Henderson, making his first starting appearance since August, to cap a fine display with a clever try.

Harris' distribution skills were simply too good for the Reds. He sent Platt over for his second before offloading perfectly to McKenna as Salford's defence continued to tire. Platt's final try brought up the half-century before McKenna registered his second in the closing stages.