Salford fall just short in bid for last-gasp draw
SALFORD had a shot at an afterthe-hooter conversion to share the spoils with Wakefield Trinity but ultimately succumbed to defeat despite scoring a try more than their opposition.
Ian Watson had suggested pregame that the Red Devils were keen to demonstrate they weren’t as spectacularly outclassed as the scoreline suggested in the opening round home loss to Wigan – a fixture after which the coach praised his forwards. And with Wakefield possessing one of the largest packs in the Betfred Super League, it was always going to be important for Salford’s middles to again step up.
That task initially seemed like it may be too tough for the visitors, with Chris Chester’s side dominating possession and field position in the opening stages.
Scott Grix opened the scoring after six minutes when he carved through a gap in the defensive line, but a Liam Finn penalty two minutes before half-time was all that Wakefield could do to extend their lead as the Red Devils muscled up well in defence.
After some subtle adjustments from Watson and his coaching staff at the break, Salford appeared rejuvenated, winning the collision and creating threats in attack, with Gareth O’Brien – re-installed at fullback after spending last week’s match in the halves - at the heart of all their good work.
Rob Lui strolled over down the short side from dummy half to get his side on the board not long into the second period and superb hands from right to left soon after got the ball out to Niall Evalds to touch down and level the scores.
Ex-Wigan Warrior Ryan Hampshire’s introduction seemed to spark Trinity into life and his superb improvised kick found Jacob Miller to re-take the lead for the home side, before Grix pulled off a stunning try-saving tackle on Jake Bibby to prevent Salford going over once more.
In the dying seconds, however, more great work from O’Brien created the space for Kris Welham to score right out on the touchline and it fell to the Million Pound Game hero to take a kick to level the scores after the final hooter – but it drifted agonisingly wide.
Elsewhere, Salford’s Gavin Bennion is in line to make his debut for loan club Swinton Lions – against his old side Rochdale. Stuart Littler’s side also have Samy Kibula, Josh Woods, Macauley Davies and Liam Forsyth available on dualregistration from Wigan.
It will be Hornets’ first match of the season after their opener at home to Batley was postponed last week and indeed their first fixture since a friendly with dual-reg partners Warrington on January 13.