Super League: Salford Red Devils 14-32 Warrington - Wolves beat under-strength hosts
- Published
Warrington forward Jason Clark marked his last game for the club by converting a try with the final kick of the match
Betfred Super League |
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Salford (8) 14 |
Tries: Greenwood, Harrop Goals: Livett 2 |
Warrington (14) 32 |
Tries: Thewlis 2, Holmes, Thomas, Minikin, G Williams Goals: Hayes 3, J Clark |
Warrington Wolves ended a disappointing Super League season with a deserved victory over an under-strength Salford.
The visitors scored six tries with Josh Thewlis crossing twice and further scores from Oliver Holmes, Luke Thomas, Greg Minikin and George Williams.
It was only a second win in their last nine games, ending the campaign 11th.
Salford, for whom James Greenwood and Myles-Dalton Harrop scored tries, finish sixth and face Huddersfield Giants in Saturday's play-off.
The Red Devils had assured their spot in the top six for the first time since they reached the Grand Final in 2019 with their win at Castleford last Monday, a ninth in 11 games.
As a result, head coach Paul Rowley made sweeping changes, with six debutants called up from the reserves in the matchday squad and key men like winger Ken Sio and half-backs Brodie Croft and Marc Sneyd given the afternoon off.
Warrington could not finish any higher than 11th, their worst ever finish in a Super League season, whatever the result.
But they had a more experienced side here and Thewlis and Holmes quickly had them ahead.
Greenwood reduced the arrears before Thomas grabbed his first Wolves try to extend the lead heading into the break.
There was an end-of-season feel to proceedings as Minikin and Williams crossed for more Wolves scores either side of Harrop grabbing a debut try for the hosts.
Thewlis grabbed his second of the day with an interception try to round off Warrington's campaign, with departing Australian forward Jason Clark kicking the goal.
Salford head coach Paul Rowley told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"We earned the right to get into the play-offs with a game to spare, so this was a chance for us to tick a few boxes for whatever suited us best in terms of health and fitness of our squad in readiness for the play-offs.
"That's exactly what we did and I thought it was a really positive day for the club, even though we didn't get the result.
"It showed a genuine pathway and all six debutants stood up and did fantastically well."
Warrington head coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"That was typical of our season. There was not really anything to shout home about.
"The whole thing has been so frustrating. We just have to reset and go again next season.
"There's nothing to say about that game that I won't have said probably 18 times this year."
Salford: Rourke; R Williams, Akauola, Coope-Franklin, Harrop; Livett, Escare; Luckley, Bourouh, Burke, Greenwood, Lennon, Vuniyayawa.
Interchanges: Stevens, Spencer-Tonks, Davies, Dupree.
Warrington: Dufty; Minikin, Mata'utia, Wardle, Thewlis; G Williams, Hayes; Harrison, Walker, Bullock, Holmes, Nicholson, J Clark.
Interchanges: D Clark, Mikaele, Whitehead, Thomas.
Referee: Robert Hicks.