Wolves the stronger but game time is key
SALFORD’S pre-season concluded with a 26-10 defeat to Warrington in Mike Cooper’s testimonial at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Following home victories over Swinton and Leigh, the Red Devils looked more than ready for a return to Super League action in the first half against the Challenge Cup holders and that was the key factor for coach Ian Watson, who used the opportunity to cycle through his interchange bench in the second period.
“We had a plan coming into the game tonight,” he explained. “The first 40 minutes was key for us, before making wholesale changes.
“When you make the changes, you get a lot of disruption in the way you play. That’s just me having a little look at certain things, but obviously in friendlies the result isn’t the most important thing.
“We wanted a decent showing early doors and we felt we were winning the arm wrestle. After that, I just wanted to get some people a bit more game time.
“We’ve come through it healthy and as far as a hit out, we got out of it what we wanted to.”
Dan Sarginson opened the scoring for Salford, finishing strongly in the corner after Kevin Brown secured a bouncing ball, committed his defender and released the centre.
Wire soon got themselves on the scoreboard when George King demonstrated his prowess under the high ball, climbing well above Ken Sio to collect a Stefan Ratchford kick and score.
But it was Salford that looked the more fluid of the two teams in attack and when Niall Evalds prevented a Blake Austin 40/20 though it did appear the fullback’s foot was in touch - the Red Devils capitalised.
Evalds collected a reverse inside pass from Connor Jones, broke through the middle and was felled only by a superb tackle from the impressive Matty Ashton, making his debut at fullback following an off-season step up to the top flight from Swinton Lions. However, Sarginson picked up the ball at dummy half and charged his way over for his - and Salford’s - second try.
Bizarrely, the Wolves opted to kick a penalty goal from bang in front two minutes before halftime, meaning they trailed 8-10 at the break.
But in the second half, the home side proved much the stronger, dominating field position as Salford rolled through the interchanges, causing disruption in both defence and attack.
A fantastic break from Ashton set up the position for Warrington’s first score of the second period. When he was brought down, Ratchford kicked cross-field to Anthony Gelling for the former Wigan man to get his first try in primrose and blue.
Luther Burrell crossed for his first Wire score not long after, receiving a great flick pass from Luis Johnson to stroll over.
The Wolves then demonstrated excellent hands to move the ball from right to left, setting Tom Lineham free for the final try of the match with 10 minutes remaining.