Liam Farrell, Abbas Miski, Jake Wardle, Jai Field and Toby King all scored tries as Wigan Warriors secured a big Super League victory over Salford Red Devils on Friday; The win, coupled with Catalans Dragons' defeat, has blown the race for the League Leaders' Shield wide open
Friday 1 September 2023 23:40, UK
Wigan made it six Betfred Super League wins in succession to move top of the league thanks to a comfortable 26-8 win over Salford.
It was an enthralling if not entertaining first half as both teams were trying to win the game on every set, which led to unnecessary errors.
The Red Devils lost Marc Sneyd to injury early on - although he later returned - and Ryan Brierley was handed the kicking duties. He slotted over a penalty after Bevan French was penalised to put the visitors ahead.
Liam Farrell showed some neat footwork and strength to force his way over to put Wigan ahead, but another penalty from Brierley saw the game all square at 4-4.
It was all Wigan after that with Abbas Miski and Jake Wardle going over before Jai Field went 85 metres after the hooter to put the game to bed at half-time.
Salford spent 10 minutes of the second half with 12 men as King Vuniyayawa was sin-binned for a high tackle on French. Toby King grabbed Wigan's fifth try of the night before Ken Sio grabbed a consolation for the Red Devils.
Salford took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of a Brierley penalty but it did not take long for Wigan to reply.
They marched deep into Salford's half on the back of a penalty and Harry Smith sent Liam Farrell through a gap and he twisted and turned past four defenders before grounding the ball. Smith failed to convert but the home side led 4-2.
Brierley levelled matters but Wigan took advantage of a penalty close to Salford's line and French fired a cutout pass for Miski to touch down in the corner. Smith was off target again but they led once more.
The home side were rewarded for their dominance with their third try of the half as Wardle charged onto a Field pass to score. Smith converted for a 14-4 advantage.
It looked like Wigan would lead by 10 at the break until a moment of sheer brilliance ended the game as a contest.
Salford were given a penalty on the hooter, Sneyd put up a bomb for one last chance but Field collected it and then raced 85 metres to score under the posts. Smith made it 20-4.
Salford were reduced to 12 men for 10 minutes when Vuniyayawa was sin-binned for a high tackle on French - and it could have been red.
Wigan took advantage of the extra man with Field and French combining before the stand-off produced a sublime flick pass for King to waltz over. Credit also goes to Mago for the way he stood up in the tackle and offloaded to keep the move alive. Smith converted and Wigan were out of sight at 26-4.
Field thought he had grabbed his second after he was put through a gap but he was brought back for an earlier Salford error. Salford kept fighting and went close through Danny Addy and they were rewarded with a late try to Sio in the corner, but it was not enough.
