Salford 17-12 Warrington: Wolves miss chance to move level with table toppers after late defeat to Red Devils
Warrington lose 17-12 at Salford after late penalty try; Wolves remain two points behind Super League pacesetters St Helens and Catalans; Red Devils up to sixth in table - watch every Super League match live on Sky Sports in 2024 or stream with NOW
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 27/04/24 8:23pm
A late penalty try saw Salford Red Devils snatch a dramatic 17-12 Betfred Super League win over Warrington Wolves and prevent their opponents from moving level at the top of the table with St Helens and Catalans Dragons.
A tight, tense match full of mistakes was settled in the 72nd minute when Danny Walker grabbed Ryan Brierley to stop him grounding Nene MacDonald's chipped kick, giving Paul Rowley victory in the week in which Salford turned down an approach from Hull FC for their head coach.
Before that moment, it had been a one-point game throughout the second half, with Marc Sneyd's drop goal late in the first period giving Salford the edge until Stefan Ratchford's 53rd-minute penalty tipped the game in Warrington's favour.
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Salford, who are now up into sixth spot, had led through Tim Lafai's early try, but James Harrison and George Williams turned things around before Joe Mellor brought the Red Devils level on the half-hour mark.
Story of the match
Salford suffered an early blow when King Vuniyayawa went off for a concussion check from which he would not return just nine minutes in, prompting Gil Dudson to come on to face his parent club.
The veteran prop was quickly into the action as Salford pushed forward, taking the lead through a fine try from Lafai, who burst down the left side to score his third try of the season.
Momentum then swung with Lafai guilty of a high tackle on Josh Thewlis - Salford were quickly punished when Harrison trundled over the line all too easily, with Ratchford kicking the conversion to put Warrington ahead.
Matt Dufty should have grounded Williams' kick in the 25th minute but it did not matter as Williams scored an opportunistic try of his own within seconds, chasing down his own kick and sneaking past Brierley to ground in the corner.
There was a swift response from Salford as they punished a Warrington turnover, with Mellor diving over next to the posts to allow Sneyd to level the scores.
The scrum-half then gave the Red Devils a narrow advantage at the break as he kicked a drop goal 90 seconds before the break.
Salford were on top to start the second half but paid the price in the 53rd minute when Ratchford kicked a penalty to turn a one-point deficit into a one-point lead.
Warrington were hoping for another turning point but then lost young half-back Leon Hayes to a nasty-looking injury, with the 20-year-old exiting on a stretcher after a lengthy break.
When play resumed, both teams went close: Brierley came up just short at one end before Paul Vaughan crossed the line but failed to ground the ball at the other, and the contest would be decided by the late penalty try.
What they said: 'Salford lucky to have Rowley'
Salford coach Paul Rowley, on the interest from Hull FC:
"The simple of way of putting that is there was a respectful, mature decision between two clubs and that's as far as it went. They and I came to a conclusion that I'm happy and I value happiness. We left it at that.
"My job is to coach, that's what I enjoy doing and the best bit is the group I get to represent and work with, the staff and the players. When you get your reward at the end of the week there is nothing better."
Salford's Ryan Brierley on head coach Rowley:
"We understand how lucky we are to have him. As a Salford fan I've been through years where we get battered by those types of teams, so to turn up now expecting to win internally is pretty special."
Warrington coach Sam Burgess on his side's defeat:
"The game really didn't have much flow, it was a stop-start game and that doesn't really suit us. We didn't get any rhythm, we didn't get into the way we played. I loved our effort, the spirit was there but it just wasn't our day."
Burgess with an update on Leon Hayes:
"We don't know the full extent but it doesn't look very good at all. He's in hospital now awaiting scans and x-rays but it's pretty clear there's quite a bit of damage.
"There's definitely a dislocation and there could be fractures as well and it's going to be a long time for him on the sidelines.
"I spoke to him on the phone, he's in good spirits and he's probably more disappointed in the loss which shows a lot about his character It's a tough night for him and a tough night for everyone."
What's next?
Salford and Warrington both return to action on Friday May 3. The Red Devils visit Huddersfield Giants (7.45pm, Sky Sports Arena) while Wolves host Hull FC (8pm, Sky Sports Action)
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