Smith pleased with Wolves defence

Tony Smith hailed Warrington's best defensive performance of the campaign after they sauntered to a 46-4 victory over near neighbours Salford.

Former Reds half-back Richie Myler scored two tries - the 99th and 100th of his career - and laid on three more as the rampant Wolves came close to registering a half-century of points at the Salford City Stadium.

Yet it was Warrington's improved discipline without the ball that delighted Smith, and he said: "I don't think we attacked very well. I thought we were very patchy, particularly in the second half, although we did some good things in amongst it. We lacked a bit of control, but defensively (we were) outstanding and that's really what we wanted."

He added: "We've been critical of ourselves in recent times with some of the points we've conceded.

"To concede an intercept try only tells you a little bit about your defence. I think we applied ourselves a whole lot better."

Salford interim coach Alan Hunte was left to bemoan the gulf in attacking quality on show and highlighted a lack of confidence within his side following a turbulent period off the field.

"In the first half I actually thought we competed defensively on the majority of our sets barring four, but Warrington showed how clinical they can be and made every one of those four sets pay," he explained.

"We've just got to learn to be smarter and more patient. It's not been the greatest six months and the guys seem to be carrying that anxiety.

"They have got to start enjoying rugby. We just look nervous when we've got the ball."