Warrington 24-32 Salford: Red Devils snatch victory in final minutes over Wire
Three tries in the final 10 minutes saw Salford Red Devils claim a 32-24 victory over Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
A double from Jack Ormondroyd gave his side a two-point lead before Ryan Brierley sealed it in the 77th minute in front of the travelling fans.
Match report
There were two debuts for Warrington as Greg Minikin and Jake Wardle were both named in the starting XIII.
Peter Mata’utia partnered Stefan Ratchford in the halves, with George Williams missing.
Rhys Williams replaced Joe Burgess on the wing for Salford. Captain Elijah Taylor missed out through suspension, and was replaced on the bench by Matty Costello.
Wales international Williams opened the scoring on six minutes. Warrington defenders watched the winger collect a high kick 10 metres out and he crossed untouched to score in the corner. Marc Sneyd couldn’t add the extras from out-wide.
The visitors crossed for their second try on the opposite edge on 14 minutes. Deon Cross flying over to extend the lead to 8-0.
Three penalties on the bounce presented Warrington strong field possession. Thomas Mikaele thought he was over for his first try in his new colours, only to lose the ball over the try-line.
However, the hosts scored their first points of the afternoon just two minutes later with Daryl Clark racing away from 30 metres. Stefan Ratchford converting to make the score 8-6.
Kallum Watkins was sent for 10 with 90 seconds on the clock. Seconds later, Josh Thewlis almost gave Warrington their first lead on to lose the ball in the corner.
HT: Warrington 6-8 Salford
It was the start to the second half Warrington were hoping for. On the first carry, prop Joe Bullock raced 50 metres through the middle and just a few plays later Ratchford, fresh from his two-year extension, gave his side their first lead of the afternoon from the boot.
Warrington’s perfect start to the second half got even better just five minutes later. Debutant Wardle raced away only to be tackled 10 metres short by Brierley. Clark set off from nine on the next play to open a gap for Gareth Widdop to score under the sticks
Thewlis was next to score on 52 minutes for the home side. The youngster putting through a kick for himself to collect and extend the lead in the corner.
Salford scored their first of the second half on 55 minutes. Substitute Chris Atkin the beneficiary of a slick offload from Watkins to cross.
Ormondroyd crossed on 70 minutes thanks to a lovely pass from Atkin to reduce the score to just 24-20, the beginning of the late comeback.
The prop forward crossed for his second just two minutes later, and Sneyd converted to give his side the edge in the final five.
And full-back Brierley sealed it in the 76th minute, racing away to score under the sticks in front of the away fans.
FT: Warrington 24-32 Salford
Warrington: Widdop, Minikin, Wrench, Wardle, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Mulhern, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Davies.
Bench: Bullock, Walker, Harrison, Mikaele.
Tries: Clark, Ratchford, Widdop, Thewlis.
Goals: Ratchford 4/4
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Williams, Croft, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Gerrard, Livett, Watkins, Akauola.
Bench: Atkin, Costello, Luckley, Dupree.
Tries: Williams, Cross, Atkin, Ormondroyd (2), Brierley
Goals: Sneyd 4/6