BOOED off at half time by their fans Warrington Wolves rattled up 50 points without reply as they completely overwhelmed Salford City Reds at the Halliwell Jones.
The Wolves had the perfect start after just six minutes as playmaker Lee Briers opened the scoring after an 80 metre lung busting burst by centre Matt King set up the try scoring opportunity.
Chris Bridge, handed the goal-kicking duties despite leading points scorer Chris Hicks being in the team, made it 6-0.
Moment later another great burst, this time from Gareth Carvell, was finished off by the Prop after Salford were penalised on their own line. Bridge was again on target as the Wolves looked in command at 12-0.
But instead of kicking on the wheels came off as Salford hit back on 14 minutes when a sweeping move saw Mark Henry go in at the corner. Former Wire John Wilshere was wide with the conversion.
Five minutes later Warrington should have had another try after more good work by King, but Michael Monaghan dropped the ball over the line.
Back came Salford as Stuart Littler strolled through some woeful tackling and Wilshere’s conversion brought the visitors to within two points at 12-10.
Again Warrington missed a golden opportunity when Briers put Hicks clear only for a poor pass to go to ground. Salford responded with a length of the field move finished off by half-back Richie Myler, so often linked with a move to the Wolves, to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
Salford then rubbed salt in the wounds on the stroke of half time when Jeremy Smith went over, with Wilshere converting, leaving the Wolves players to troop off with boos from the home fans ringing in their ears at 12-20 down.
Whatever Head of Coaching Tony Smith said at half time certainly did the trick as Warrington came back out like the team which had started so brightly – but this time they put Salford to the sword.
It was Briers who started the ball rolling with a great break which was finished off by Paul Johnson, with Bridge’s conversion closing the gap to 18-20.
Then on 50 minutes a clever kick by Briers opened up the way for Simon Grix to restore Warrington’s lead and Bridge’s goal made it 24-20.
From that moment Warrington never looked back as they rattled up a further seven tries without reply.
Briers touched down for his second try of the game on 55 minutes with Bridge again on target.
Moments later Briers again showed his class this time opening up a gap for Benny Westwood to go over with Bridge landing a superb conversion from wide out to make it 36-20.
Warrington were now well in control and full-back Chris Riley, made amends for some earlier blunders when he burst over after some good build up play.
Within two minutes the floodgates were opened as a Monaghan pass carved open a huge opening for skipper Adrian Morley to go over against his home town club, with Bridge again on target to make it 46-20.
On 69 minutes Benny Westwood blocked an attempted kick through, superbly re-gathered and then off-loaded to Bridge, who scampered 60 metres from inside his own half to touch down.
In the closing stages Riley sent over Brian Carney for his debut try at the Halliwell Jones and in the closing moment a Briers chip kick was easily finished off by Hicks, with Bridge adding the extras to finish the scoring at 62-20.
Pictures show Chris Riley and Chris Bridge touching down and Matt King in full flight.
For more pictures CLICK HERE
Wolves: Riley, Hicks, Bridge, King, Carney, Grix, Briers, Morley, Monaghan, Carvell, L Anderson, Harrison, Westwood. Subs: Wood, Cooper, Johnson, Mitchell.
Salford: Wilshere, McGilvray, Littler, Ratchford, Henry, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Sidlow, Swain. Subs: Paul, Sibbit, Leulaui, Nash.
Atten 8,900.
2 Comments
Was the turn around anything to do with the comments heard at half time on Radio Warrington?
Well they certainly responded!