Hayes injury overshadows Wolves narrow defeat at Salford

YOUNG half-back Leon Hayes was stretchered off as Warrington Wolves suffered a 17-12 loss at Salford Red Devils.

Hayes was helped from the field with what looked like a serious leg injury, which resulted in a long stoppage in the second half.

Shortly before he had departed, Stefan Ratchford had kicked Warrington in to a 12-11 lead.

But a penalty try with eight minutes to go swung the game in the hosts’ favour and Sam Burgess’ side had no response as they fell to their third defeat of the season.

Salford had endured a tougher than expected trip to London Broncos last weekend, their plans impacted by a busy capital city that was hosting two FA Cup semi-finals and the London marathon.

They got off to a positive start in this match, scoring through Tim Lafai on 12 minutes.

That sprung the Wolves to life and within a couple of minutes they had responded, James Harrison barging his way through to score.

The lead was increased on the half hour mark when George Williams chased his own kick to touch down.

But just as they had done to Salford earlier, the Red Devils responded with a try of their own inside two minutes, this time from Warrington-born Joe Mellor.

Marc Sneyd’s conversion levelled the scores and he then tagged on a drop goal shortly before the hooter to give them an 11-10 half time lead.

Ratchford nudged Warrington in front on 54 minutes before both sides had tries ruled out by the video referee, Ryan Brierley done for a double movement and Paul Vaughan denied by a knock on.

Sneyd missed a penalty on 69 minutes to put Salford back in front, but a few minutes later he added the conversion when a penalty try was awarded after Brierley was taken out by Danny Walker.

Warrington now have back-to-back home games against Hull FC and Hull KR, before their Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Huddersfield on May 19.

Salford: Brierley, Ryan, MacDonald, Lafai, Cross, Atkin, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Mellor, Vuniyayawa, Wright, Watkins, Partington. Subs: Cust, Shorrocks, Dixon, Dudson.

Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis, King, Ratchford, Russell, Williams, Hayes, Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Nicholson, Fitzgibbon, Currie. Subs: Philbin, Crowther, Bullock, Powell.

The Red Devils are back ahead 👊

A penalty try is awarded after Ryan Brierley is tackled without the ball 🏉#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/onPY5TfvoL

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 27, 2024