Wigan Warriors snatch late win against Salford Red Devils

Credit: Matthew Ward

Wigan Warriors left it late to secure back-to-back victories after a 30-24 win over Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium.

Jai Field’s late try secured the win for Warriors after an early try from Field himself, Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell, Harry Smith, and Salford tries from King Vuniyayawa, Matty Costello, Alex Gerrard and Ken Sio did see the game level at 24-24.

However a late surge of pressure from the Warriors did enough to secure them the win. 

Many thought it would be a Wigan walkover but it proved a tougher task for Matt Peet’s side.

It was the home side who started early, a quick play of the ball found Field who burst forward and ran all the way to give his side the lead.

Salford looked to respond immediately; they moved the ball to the left looking for Rhys Williams but a superb interception from Bevan French denied them.

The Red Devils continued their pressure and got level; Vuniyayawa barged his way under the posts beating three Wigan men and pulling Salford level.

Field nearly got his second of the game, a kick through the Salford defence was chased by the fullback but the ball just missed him.

On his 250th appearance, Ryan Brierley decided to have his impact, his line break then his pass found Costello who dodged the incoming tackle and grounded the ball to give Salford the lead.

It was turning into anything you can do. I can do a better type of game as straight away Wigan levelled. A great move to right found Ellis who just walked over the line with an easy try to level things up.

The Pattern of the game changed however as Wigan retook the lead, another well worked Wigan move this time to the left and ball found Farrell who took the pass and found a gap to run over.

The Warriors soon made it three successive tries in a row, Smith broke the line and raced his way over to add more points to the score tally.

The visitors looked to break Wigan’s try scoring run they broke the line themselves, but the final pass avoided Brierley and Wigan regained the ball.

Salford scored early in the second half; a grubber kick in behind the Wigan defence was pounced upon by Gerrard who grounded the ball. At first the Referee was unsure but via the video referee gave the try and Salford were back in the game.

The Red Devils soon levelled, Sio showed great awareness to catch the ball from a Wigan pass and ran 80 metres to score. The kick was converted, and the game was level again.

The Warriors pushed for the winner late on when French danced his way through Salford defence and looked certain to score but he was held up. The ball then moved left to Liam Marshall who fumbled it at the last second.

Warriors then thought they had snatched it when Joe Shorrocks went over but his try was chalked off for Obstruction.

However, a few minutes after, main man Field popped when his side needed him with a mazey 80 metre run to run home a hard-fought victory for the Warriors.

The Red Devils were left gutted late on but could hold their heads up high after a gutsy performance. They travel to St Helens next week in another tough game.

Wigan travel to local rivals Warrington Wolves and they will be hoping to make it three wins on the spin.

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