Wigan Warriors booked their place in the Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals after an 18-12 victory over Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium on Friday night. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
The opening 20 minutes proved to be quite the arm wrestle between the two sides, with neither creating a clear-cut opportunity in the opening exchanges.
Wigan did have an early opportunity to take the lead, but Zak Hardaker failed to convert a penalty from 30 metres out in front of the sticks.
The breakthrough did eventually come in the 25th minute, as Oliver Gildart darted through the gap in the Red Devils’ defence to go over.
Chris Hankinson thought he had doubled Wigan’s lead, after superbly cutting inside, but the ref blew his whistle for an infringement in the build-up.
Salford came close to pulling one back, but the ball bounced agonisingly away from the fingertips of Ken Sio.
Ian Watson’s side continued to press and cause Wigan problems, as Joey Lussick had a try ruled out by the video ref after he was adjudged not to have grounded the ball.
The Red Devils did not feel downbeat for too long after that decision, as a minute later George Griffin forced his way over for a try. The scores remained level going into half-time.
11 minutes into the second half Salford thought that they had grabbed the lead, but the video refs replay showed that Sio’s foot was just in touch.
Five minutes later, it was Wigan taking the lead as Thomas Leuluai finished well to punish a Jake Bibby mistake, after the centre flicked the ball behind him.
Moments later the Warriors had a third, as Joe Burgess broke free down the left side before passing the ball inside to George Williams who showed pace of his own to go over.
Just after the hour mark, Salford pulled a try back, as Jackson Hastings shrugged off the Wigan defence to go over to make it 18-12.
Tony Clubb came close to re-extending the lead but was halted by a strong challenge on the line.
The final five minutes of the game proved to be both a tough and physical test for the Warriors, as Salford heaped the pressure on the backline.
But for a series of last ditch tackles, the visitors would’ve been ahead.
FOUR POINTERS
Wigan Push On
It was a game that didn’t have the same consequences as the eliminator between Warrington and Castleford but that didn’t stop these two teams putting on a show for us.
It was Wigan that were the victors and will now have a week to prepare for their semi-final clash against their rivals St Helens.
A Second Chance
As for the Devils they once again caused their own problems and failed to get the win over Wigan. But they still have another opportunity to make amends.
Salford will now have to play Castleford in an eliminator where another defeat will send them out of the Super League play-offs.
Making it Look Easy
Wigan once again showed why they are arguably the best defenders in the Super League as they withheld whatever Salford threw at them in the second half.
The Warriors had to face long periods without the ball, defending in their own 20 consistently. But head coach Adrian Lam was deeply impressed with their efforts.
“You can’t coach that, it’s got to come from within. They kept turning up for each other. I don’t know how we stopped them at times but we did it.”
The Underdog Story Continues
Although it wasn’t meant to be for Salford, the supporters will see themselves disappointed in defeat but proud of their team challenging the champions at the DW.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the game head coach Ian Watson wanted to implement that winning mentality, and that will look to remain the same when they take on Castleford next Thursday.
THE RESULT
Wigan + 18
Tries: Gildart (24), Leuluai (53), Williams (57)
Goals: Hardaker (3)
Drop Goals: n/a
Salford + 12
Tries: Griffin (37), Hastings (62)
Goals: Inu (2)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Wigan: Zak Hardaker, Liam Marshall, Chris Hankinson, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, George Williams, Tommy Leuluai, Tony Clubb, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.
Interchanges: Ben Flower, Bevan French, Joe Greenwood, Sean O’Loughlin.
Salford: Niall Evalds, Ken Sio, Kris Welham, Jake Bibby, Krisnan Inu, Tui Lolohea, Jackson Hastings, Lee Mossop, Logan Tomkins, Gil Dudson, Josh Jones, George Griffin, Tyrone McCarthy.
Interchanges: Joey Lussick, Adam Walker, Mark Flanagan, Ryan Lannon.
