IT’S HEAVEN FOR BEVAN!
French late try tops off Warriors’ fightback
MARC SNEYD turned from hero to villain as Wigan broke Salford’s hearts.
The Red Devils scrum-half looked set to deliver his side a famous win and put them top of the table.
But, after inspiring a brilliant comeback from 10-0 down to lead 12-10, Sneyd’s ill-advised short dropout went badly wrong on 75 minutes.
England centre Jake Wardle collected and walked in untouched to protect leaders Wigan’s 100 percent winning start to the Super League season.
The World Club champions were down to 12 at the time after England scrum-half Harry Smith was sin-binned for checking Ryan Brierley.
But, to rub salt into the wound, Bevan French scored another try for Wigan with the final play, Adam Keighran slotting his second goal.
Salford won at St Helens for the first time in 44 years six days earlier.
And last night, despite being down to their last 17 available players, they almost created another shock.
When Abbas Miski scored off French’s fine cut-out pass in the 46th minute, Smith converted for Wigan to lead 10-0.
It felt things would only go one way. But former Hull scrum-half Sneyd gave them hope. His kicking game caused Matt Peet’s side all sorts of problems.
Wardle had to drag Sneyd back off the ball to set up position for their first try.
In the next set, Sneyd slid in a brilliant kick for Sam Stone to cross.
The 33-year-old converted and did so again after Miskas failed to deal with his hanging kick, gifting Tim Lafai a try in the 62nd minute.
As is so often the case, Sneyd then held his nerve to put his side in front with the touchline conversion.
It should have been enough, but 12-man Wigan had other ideas.
They gang-tackled a Salford player to force him 10 yards back behind his own line for that crucial drop-out.
Salford were down to their last 17 available players, with ex-Wigan trio Cade Cust, Brad Singleton and Chris Hankinson all injured.
They gave debuts to Ethan Ryan and new signing Gil Dudson and looked capable of a fourth straight win.
A low-quality first half had looked like ending scoreless until Wigan finally broke the deadlock with just 21 seconds to go.
Jai Field, largely kept at bay until then, slid through a smart kick for winger Liam Marshall to collect his sixth try of the season.