Salford caught cold as Wolves start fast
SALFORD went down 22-6 against Warrington at the AJ Bell Stadium – and coach Ian Watson felt his team blew their chances by allowing the opposition to build on their early lead.
“I thought the start cost us,” Watson said. “Warrington were making too many metres in the early stages of the game and we were not doing what we should defensively.
“We lacked quality in the final third.
“That’s because of struggling with combinations in the spine of the team. The boys are putting in all the effort – you can’t fault them there.
“Warrington have quality players in all positions and that makes a difference. Our attack is letting our defence down at the moment. We made things too easy for Warrington.
“The pleasing thing for us is that our small squad is continuing to compete against some of the best teams in the game. We are not a million miles away – we just need more assuredness in attack.”
Wolves winger Josh Charnley scored a try and provided an assist on his return to the AJ Bell Stadium where he played rugby union for Sale before switching codes last month.
The first game after the demanding Easter weekend traditionally tend to be something of a slog and this was no exception.
Warrington scored three first-half tries through Charnley, Toby King and Tyrone Roberts which were to prove crucial as the second half remained score-less until the final stages – despite the video referee Robert Hicks being called into action twice to deny Salford tries.
Robert Lui was switched to fullback to fill in for the injured Niall Evalds and on-loan Wigan half-back Jake Shorrocks made his Salford debut.
Steve Price’s men led as early as the fifth minute when hooker Daryl Clark was allowed to run across the field unchallenged before passing to King who swapped passes with Charnley before touching down in the corner. Stefan Ratchford was unable to convert.
The visitors scored a second try just seven minutes later when some quick passing along the line gave Charnley a walk-in at the corner from Ratchford’s final pass but again Ratchford failed to add the extras.
Warrington went 12-0 up in the 23rd minute when Salford allowed Tyrone Roberts’ bomb to bounce and the ball was flipped back inside by King to the supporting Roberts for a simple try.
This time, Ratchford added the goal and the Wolves looked to be firmly in control at 14-0.
Salford got off the mark in the 27th minute when Lui took an inside pass from Weller Hauraki to score from 10 metres out.
Lui also added the conversion to make it 6-14 at the break.
The second half proved to be something of an arm wrestle with scoring chances at a premium. Salford saw tries ruled out by the video ref in the 46th and 60th minutes.
But Warrington finally put the game beyond Salford’s reach seven minutes from time when Kevin Brown cut through to score from close range. Ratchford added the conversion as well as a late penalty to complete the scoring.
Our attack is letting our defence down. We made things too easy for them Salford coach Ian Watson