A George Williams Golden Point drop-goal was the difference this afternoon at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, after a resilient effort from Salford Red Devils.
Marshall’s men took the lead after eight minutes through leading try scorer in the Betfred Super League, Ken Sio, who dived over in the right corner after some quick hands down the line from the Red Devils.
The hosts levelled the score in the 15th minute, Matty Ashton pouncing on a grubber kick in the in-goal area.
Warrington added another two tries to the scoreboard around the half-hour mark, Matt Davis worming his way over on 27 minutes, before Josh Charnley dived over in the right corner four minutes later.
Just before the halftime hooter, Sio intercepted a pass and ran half the field to cut the deficit to four points at the interval.
Halftime: Warrington Wolves 20-19 Salford Red Devils
On the hour mark, Salford went back in front via Tui Lolohea, whose fast feet turned the Warrington defence inside out, allowing the Tongan to stroll over to the left of the sticks.
With six minutes to go, Danny Addy saw yellow for a high tackle and the hosts opted for the two – Gareth Widdop’s boot making it 18 points apiece.
Williams then nudged the Wire ahead with two minutes to go with his first drop-goal of the game, but Lolohea responded a minute later with a drop-goal of his own.
Right on the hooter, Williams thought he’d won the game for Wire with another one-pointer, but play was brought back for obstruction.
Warrington won the toss and had the first shot of Golden Point but surrendered that chance straight from kick-off, unable to keep the ball in play.
Salford had the opportunity to end the game, but Krisnan Inu’s drop-goal attempt was wide.
Williams then sent another kick through the sticks, ending what was a back-and-forth game of rugby in Warrington this afternoon.
Fulltime: Warrington Wolves 20-19 Salford Red Devils
Warrington Wolves: Ashton, Thewlis, Wrench, King, Charnley, Widdop, Williams, Davis, Hughes, Whitehead, Mulhern, Austin, Currie, Clark, Longstaff, Doro, Ratchford.
Warrington tries: Ashton, Davis, Charnley
Warrington goals: Widdop (3/4)
Warrington drop-goals: Williams (2)
Salford Red Devils: Escare, Sio, Burgess, Sarginson, Williams, Lolohea, Atkin, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Johnson, Lannon, Robson, Addy, Taylor, Luckley, Inu, Burke.
Salford tries: Sio (2), Lolohea
Salford goals: Inu (3)
Salford drop-goals: Lolohea
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
Image credit: Steve McCormick
