Despite a highly-contested first forty from both sides, Wigan Warriors took the two points in Round 15 with a 30-12 victory at the The Salford Stadium this evening.
The only try of the first half came in the 9th minute as Wigan created an overload on the left. that resulted in an offload from Liam Marshall to send Harry Smith over the try-line and put the visitors in front.
Quality defence from both teams kept it a tight contest as both sides tussled for control of the arm wrestle right up to half-time.
Half-time: Salford Red Devils 0-6 Wigan Warriors
Five minutes into the second forty, Wigan extended their lead. A neat grubber kick from former Red Devil Jake Bibby, was scooped up and acrobatically grounded in the left corner by Marshall.
A combination from Jai Field and Bevan French saw the Warriors cover 70 metres down the right flank, ending with four points from French in the 50th minute.
The next ten minutes saw the visitors strike another two times down the right – French and Marshall both hitting braces for the night.
French’s hat-trick came in the 62nd minute thanks to a defence-splitting grubber kick from Marshall that allowed Wigan’s number 1 to stroll over virtually unopposed.
Salford scored their first try of the game in the 74th minute, after a sustained period of pressure concluded with Deon Cross crashing over in the right corner.
Two minutes before the final hooter, Brodie Croft sent a grubber kick into the in-goal area that was grasped by Kallum Watkins for his 150th career try.
Full-time: Salford Red Devils 12-30 Wigan Warriors
Salford Red Devils: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Akauola, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Livett, Watkins, Taylor, Dupree, Gerrard, Luckley, Bourouh.
Wigan Warriors: Field, French, Isa, Bibby, Marshall, Smith, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Byrne, Farrell, Bateman, Ellis, Mago, Partington, Havard, Shorrocks.
Salford tries: Cross (74), Watkins (78)
Salford goals: Sneyd (2/2)
Wigan tries: Smith (9), Marshall (45, 59), French (50, 57, 62)
Wigan goals: Smith (3/6)
Referee: Chris Kendall
Image credit: Steve McCormick
Half-time Draw Numbers;
1st: 1250
2nd: 2075
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