Wire survive Salford scare to boost play-off hopes

James Harrison (second right) celebrates his try to restore Warrington's lead at Salford

Betfred Super League

Salford (8) 12

Tries: Ryan Goals: Hankinson 4

Warrington (12) 24

Tries: Dufty, Harrison, Josh Thewlis, Ratchford Goals: Sneyd 4

Warrington Wolves moved back to within a point of Super League's top six after coming from behind to survive a huge scare at struggling Salford.

The bottom-of-the-table Red Devils have now lost 13 consecutive games in a season in which they have been beset by financial problems that have caused an exodus of their best players, but they defended ferociously and took advantage of a dismal performance by Sam Burgess's side.

A try from Ethan Ryan and two penalties from Chris Hankinson, as Wolves suffered from poor discipline, edged the home side ahead in a match for the first time since they secured their only win of the campaign against Huddersfield on March 20.

Warrington were unconvincing but tries from James Harrison, Josh Thewlis and Stefan Ratchford saw them secure back-to-back victories for the first time since March.

The visitors went into the game off the back of last week's win over Hull FC but they ran into a Salford side who put on a spirited show against a team that fielded Marc Sneyd and Sam Stone, two of the players who left them this season.

They took an early lead as Matt Dufty took George Williams' pass and raced over, and it looked like being another long night for Paul Rowley's side.

The Red Devils responded superbly, however, as Ryan took advantage of a Josh Thewlis knock-on and Hankinson, after missing the conversion, edged them ahead with two penalties as Warrington twice came up with high tackles.

The Wire were back in the lead by half-time as Harrison was sent over for a simple try by Ben Currie, but two more Hankinson penalties levelled the game and set up a real contest.

Salford lost Danny Richardson to a green card and Warrington took advantage of their numerical superiority as Dufty's grubber kick was touched down by Josh Thewlis, with Sneyd uncharacteristically missing the conversion.

Esan Marsters thought he had again drawn Salford level as he touched down following Jake Thewlis' fumble, but his effort was ruled out because Ryan had tackled the Warrington winger in the air.

Sneyd's penalty gave Wire some breathing space and they made sure of the win as former Salford man Ratchford touched down after Marsters had spilled a Williams high kick over the line.

'Wrong attitude' - Burgess reaction

Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley said:

"A couple of weeks ago I'd talked about some green shoots against Hull, though we got overwhelmed in the second half, but today we hung in and it was probably as good a performance as we've had.

"We're disappointed to lose the game but I thought we competed and we wouldn't be walking out embarrassed if we'd won the game. I thought it was quite evenly matched most of the game.

"There was some really good things for us. We dominated territory in the first half in particular. But credit to Warrington, they got the job done and that's, I guess, all it's about sometimes. But there's something for us to work with and build on."

Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It was a disappointing performance, no doubt about it. We had a great week's practice but it just didn't transfer.

"I don't know what the players did between training and today, but we came with the wrong attitude, I'd say.

"On the other side, Salford were really physical, played with great spirit and (Jayden) Nikorima troubled us all night and (Esan) Marsters was a handful. They had some great signs.

"We expected it. Salford have been building over the past couple of weeks, had some consistency and have got a bit of quality on the field, so I knew they'd be good."

Salford: Brierley; Ryan, Hankinson, Marsters, Connell; Nikorima, Richardson; Ormondroyd, Robb, Hill, Warren, Russell, Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Sangare, Wilson, Glover, Chan.

Warrington: Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Tai, Wrench, Jake Thewlis; Williams, Sneyd; Vaughan, Crowther, Yates, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie.

Interchanges: Harrison, Philbin, King, Ratchford.

Referee: Liam Rush.