Warrington Wolves suffer a shock 12-36 defeat against Salford Red Devils at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
The game started end to end, with both teams going close to scoring. However, on the ninth minute, Kris Welham reacted quickest to a Robert Lui grubber. Krisnan Inu with the extras.
Moments later, Joey Lussick found a way through the Wolves defensive line, and crashed over via the goal post. Krisnan Inu added the extras.
From then on, it looked bleak for the out of form Wolves. As the 20th minute mark approached, Salford applied pressure, and the cracking defence gave the Devils a bigger advantage. With Inu electing to take the two, and slotted them with ease.
However, the Wire fought back, and got on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute through Blake Austin. Throwing another one of his trademark dummies to get over. Stefan Ratchford added the extras.
Salford increased their lead, through Daniel Murphy. With the forward powering his way over, right under the sticks. Inu added the extras.
More penalties from the Wolves gave the Reds a chance to add another two points to the scoreline. Inu added again.
Just before halftime through, Lui would find a way over the line, after breaking through a tackle. Inu adding the extras.
Half time 6-28
The second half started as the first ended, with Salford getting points through the boot of Inu. Sloppy discipline from the Wolves costing them greatly in this one.
In the 48th minute, Salford would score again, this time through Jake Bibby, who found a way to dive in at the Corner. Inu unable to add the extras.
The Wolves did show some fight, however, were unsuccessful. With Salford on the charge, they would add another penalty to their lead, Inu again with the extras.
After a series of penalties for the Wolves, referee Gareth Hewer sent Kris Welham to the sin bin after a team warning.
The final points of the game would come shortly after. As Bryson Goodwin, finished off in the corner. This coming off the back of some flair plays, that have been the trademark of Wolves this year. Ratchford added the extras, with some help of the post.
Full time 12-36
Up next for the victorious red devils is a match at home against Wigan, who lost today against St Helens 10-36. Whilst for the Wolves they travel across the M62 and play Hull KR, as they look to bounce back from this defeat. However, the Robins lost to their local rivals 56-12.
FOUR POINTERS
Hastings runs the show
Jackson Hastings orchestrated his team to perfection in this one. The Australian half back was able to shut down the Wolves offence, and cause some real headache for the home side when he was attacking. He was my Man of the match, and should be looking at three Man of Steel points from this game.
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Back to back defeat
The Wolves have suffered back to back defeats for the first time in eight months, and only for the second time since round six last year. Something that has been at the back of Steve Price’s mind. With the 41-year-old saying this, “They handled the hot conditions better than us. We’ve been really good at responding to losses over the last 18 months. We have a bit of work to do.”
Disappointing display by the Wolves
Steve Price has called his side’s performance the worst of his tenure so far. When asked in his post match press conference, whether it was the worst performance, the Wire’s head coach said this “You could say it was. We were disappointed with our intent at the start of the game and the flow after that. All the ruck speed across the board was all too fast and to concede 36 points was disappointing.”
“We Were really clinical” Ian Watson
Salford head coach Ian Watson has praised his side after their impressive victory. Commenting on his sides overall performance, he had this to say, “The boys did an outstanding job. We were really clinical. We know we can go to a certain level and we have shown our processes work. We have just got to believe in ourselves a little more. Our resilience to defend our goal line in the early stages set us up and gave us the platform to win.”
THE RESULT
Warrington Wolves 12
Tries: Austin, Goodwin
Goals: Ratchford (2)
Salford Red Devils 36
Tries: Welham, Lussick, Murray, Lui, Bibby
Goals: Inu (8)
SQUADS
Warrington Wolves: Stefan Ratchford, Bryson Goodwin, Harvey Livett, Ryan Atkins, Josh Charnley, Blake Austin, Declan Patton, Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood
Interchanges: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jason Clark, Joe Philbin, Matt Davis
Salford Red Devils: Niall Evalds, Jake Bibby, Krisnan Inu, Kris Welham, Derrell Olpherts, Robert Lui, Jackson Hastings, Adam Walker, Joey Lussick, Gil Dudson, Josh Jones, George Griffin, Greg Burke
Interchanges: Josh Wood, Tyrone McCarthy, Ben Nakubuwai, Daniel Murray
