Under-fire Smith refuses to quit Wolves

Defiant Warrington coach Tony Smith insists he will not quit, despite watching his side suffer a crushing 38-12 home defeat by Salford.

The 2016 Super League runnersup, who were winners of the League Leaders’ Shield just six months ago, are in serious danger of missing out of the top eight, after winning just one of their past five matches. They have conceded 78 points in their past two games.

Smith, who is in his ninth season in charge of the Wolves, said at the post-match press conference: “As unpleasant as it is, I don’t give in easily. We as a group are not playing well enough over the weekend.”

Salford scored seven tries to two, five of them through their lethal left flank, to make it 10 wins from their past 11 league games and to remain on course for a first semi-final.

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont took the unusual step of taking the post-match press conference after his side lost 38-0 to Castleford, and criticising the standard of refereeing in Super League.

Beaumont said poor officials were making Super League “a joke shop” after Tigers winger Greg Eden scored four tries, including a hat-trick inside five minutes at the end of the first half, as Castleford completed a league double over the struggling Centurions to cement their place at the top of the table.

Staying put: Tony Smith insists he will not walk away from Warrington as pressure builds

Beaumont hit out at referee Chris Kendall, saying: “I can’t accept what’s gone on out there. We need to stand up as a sport and talk about it, because it’s making our game look like a laughing stock. It’s a joke shop.”

Widnes finally managed to get over the line against Leeds after several near misses recently.

The Vikings had lost their past four Betfred Super League matches, and it seemed that streak would be extended as they trailed 20-18 with 10 minutes remaining.

However, tries in the final 10 minutes from wingers Corey Thompson and Ryan Ince lifted them to a 28-20 victory.

Wakefield, trailing 20-0 after 20 minutes, hit back to beat Wigan 42-30, with Bill Tupou scoring a hat-trick. In last night’s game, Catalans Dragons earned a 23-18 win against Hull FC, through late tries by Foaud Yaha and Tony Gigot.