Super League: Salford Red Devils 20-23 Wigan Warriors

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Highlights from AJ Bell Stadium as Salford took on Wigan in the First Utility Super League

A Josh Charnley hat-trick helped Wigan make it three wins in succession in Super League as they defeated Salford 23-20 in a thriller at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Wigan held a narrow 11-10 lead at the break after a pulsating first 40 minutes after The Reds Devils led 10-4 at one stage after a try double from Michael Dobson had cancelled out Josh Charnley's early score for the Warriors.

Ryan Sutton's try saw the Warriors level it up before Matty Smith slotted over a drop goal right on the hooter.

Two further tries in the second half from Charnley saw the Warriors extend their advantage to 23-10, although tries from Josh Jones and Daniel Vidot set up a tense finish.

Salford made two changes from the team that defeated Wakefield last time out with winger Justin Carney returning from suspension to replace the injured Niall Evalds, while Vidot moved to full-back with Jake Bibby coming in on the wing.

Michael Dobson contributed 12 points in the defeat, including two tries

The Warriors made one change following their win over Castleford with John Bateman missing out, meaning Greg Burke started in the second row with Joe Bretherton moving to the bench.

Both teams had chances to score early on, with Carney going close for Salford and Sam Powell having one ruled out for Wigan, before the visitors took the lead after eight minutes when George Williams put a kick through behind Carney and Charnley was on hand to touch down. Smith was off target as Wigan led 4-0.

A half break from Carney got the home crowd excited and they almost had something to celebrate but Junior Sa'u was brought down by Charnley and Sam Tomkins five metres short. Wigan did well to prevent the Red Devils from scoring
as Powell and Burke were both being treated for head injuries and were both led off the field for a head test.

Salford levelled in the 18th minute after a number of kicks caused problems in Wigan's back line. Robert Lui's high kick caused problems and Bibby kept calm and collected the loose ball before putting a kick through of his own. It should have been dealt with by Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart but was not, and Dobson was on hand to touch down in the corner.

Sam Tomkins was tested throughout the match at the AJ Bell Stadium

Salford took the lead in the 26th minute when Sam Tomkins failed to collect a Lui bomb, and Craig Kopczak was on hand to break clear and send Dobson away for his second try. The former Wigan scrum-half converted for a 10-4 lead.

The Warriors were looking out of sorts and could have been further behind but Dobson pulled a penalty attempt wide. The 25-metre dropout was a monster one from Smith and it went dead giving Wigan the ball back, allowing the Warriors to launch an attack and Williams' kick was collected by Sutton who touched down.
Smith converted to level it up at 10-10 and added a one-pointer right on half-time to put Wigan back in front.

Wigan had the first real attack of the second half with a scrum 10 metres from Salford's line, but a knock-on from Taulima Tautai saw that chance go begging. Wigan were being tested in defence with Sam Tomkins coming up with an important hit on Kopczak, before brother Logan Tomkins was denied a try for a double movement.

That let-off revitalised the Warriors and they immediately forced a third drop-out from the Red Devils and took full advantage, Smith and Dan Sarginson combining down the left to send Charnley over for his second of the night. Smith was off target but Wigan now led 15-10.

Shaun Wane's men secured their third consecutive Super League victory with their win over Salford

Wigan were the better team and looked the more likely to extend their lead with Williams once again pulling the strings. A rare mistake from Carney put Wigan in a great attacking position, and a penalty for a high tackle on Smith saw the scrum-half extend the visitors' lead to seven.

Wigan then put the game to bed in the 64th minute with Charnley grabbing his hat-trick try. The move was started with a great run from Sutton, and he offloaded to Smith who took the play to the left with Sarginson once again
feeding Charnley. Smith converted as Wigan led 23-10.

Salford refused to lie down and they pushed Wigan all the way in the final seven minutes, first when Jones stormed on to a short pass to score, before Vidot set up a tense finish by going over in the corner. Lui converted just one of the tries, leaving the deficit at three points.