A lovely warm summers evening welcomed the two sides to the pitch. Moments earlier the match ball had arrived via an aeroplane as the Army sky dived in thrilling the crowd at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. A great way to start Armed Forces weekend.
The Wolves came up with the opening try of the night when Tyrone Roberts threw an outrageous dummy. Sitaleki Akauola striding over to finish off the move. Bryson Goodwin added the goal 6-0.
Salford hit back in the twelfth minute with Jack Littlejohn reaching over superbly to score. Littlejohn continuing at fullback for the injured Niall Evalds produced another impressive display. Robert Lui tied the scores with an excellent conversion from the touchline.
Warrington looked dangerous every time the ball went wide in the opening quarter of the match and were soon back in front thanks to Tom Lineham’s acrobatic finish.
Roberts then produced another slick kick, this time his grubber kick caught Salford out allowing Toby King to touch down. 14-6.
Ryan Lannon was then sent to the sin bin for holding down but this seemed to spark the Red Devils in to action. Jake Bibby came close but was tackled just short catching a high tackle for his troubles. Moments later off a super George Griffin off load Littlejohn is in again for his second try. Lui can’t convert leaving the Wolves a slender 14-10 half time lead.
The first points of the second half went to Salford. A thrilling try that had the travelling away support jumping for joy. Some excellent support play with numerous off loads and backing up. It looked like the chance had gone when the final pass went astray but a Warrington mistake left Bibby a free run in to the line to level the scores at 14-14. Lui again failing to convert but the match was now on a knife edge.
Salford almost went in front after another smart move but Lui’s pass just couldn’t find Welham.
Warrington were clinical when they needed to be and Josh Charnley squeezed in at the corner to restore there lead.
Salford refused to lie down though and continued to chance there arm. This time forcing a drop out. On the next play Bibby looked to have been obstructed chasing a kick through but the penalty never came.
Rugby league can be a cruel game sometimes, after another really solid display from the ever improving Littlejohn, Roberts launched a huge spiralling bomb, Littlejohn knocked on gifting Warrington possession. Hooker Daryl Clark pounced close to the line to score. Goodwin’s conversion took the game away from Salford at 26-14.
The Red Devils continued to work hard in defence coming up with some gritty last ditch tackles.
However fatigue began to set in and eventually Salford’s resilience was broken by Wolves prop Mike Cooper who crashed over from close range in the final minute.
Red Devils coach Ian Watson was proud of his sides effort and endeavour but was concerned over fresh injury worries to Josh Wood, Kris Welham and Jack Littlejohn.
Salford travel to Hull Kr a week on Sunday in another crucial super league match.
Final score Warrington 30 Salford 14.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick 📸
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