Warrington 30-14 Salford: Charnley helps Wolves to victory
By Press Association
Last Updated: 30/06/18 5:49pm
Josh Charnley's sensational try-scoring run continued to help Warrington beat struggling Salford 30-14 in Betfred Super League.
The sides were locked at 14-14 in a tense encounter when Charnley struck in the second half with another superb winger's try with a spectacular diving finish in the corner.
That took his tally to 17 tries in just 14 appearances as the Wolves leapfrogged Castleford into third place.
Warrington's other tries came from Tom Lineham, Toby King, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper and Sitaleki Akauola with Bryson Goodwin landing three conversions.
The defeat was tough on Salford but they stay rooted in the bottom four and look like they will have to battle for their Super League lives in the Qualifiers with just four games remaining before the split.
Full-back Jack Littlejohn claimed two tries for the Red Devils and Jake Bibby also touched down with Robert Lui landing two conversions.
Warrington lost Ben Murdoch-Masila, who limped out of the warm-up, which meant a late call-up for George King.
In sweltering conditions the Wolves opened the scoring after just seven minutes when a superb midfield break by Tyrone Roberts allowed the supporting Akauola to race in under the posts and Goodwin converted.
The visitors also made a positive start and the Red Devils drew level when Littlejohn scrambled over the line from close range for his first try of the night. Lui converted to tie the scores at 6-6.
Warrington then looked to have taken a stranglehold on the game as two tries in seven minutes midway through the first half, from Lineham and King, gave Steve Price's side an eight-point lead.
The Red Devils then had Ryan Lannon sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul after stopping Charnley inches from the line, but Warrington failed to make their extra man tell.
It was the visitors who struck two minutes before half-time when excellent passes from Lui and George Griffin allowed Littlejohn to score his second try to reduce the deficit to 14-10.
Warrington should have increased their advantage at the start of the second half but Ben Westwood lost possession as he went over the line.
The Wolves were made to pay when Salford drew level as winger Bibby scooped up a loose ball and sprinted clear to score.
However, Charnley struck for a decisive try with a magnificent finish in the corner to make it 20-14.
The Wolves held their slender six-point lead until 10 minutes from time, when Clark dived over from close range and Cooper's last-minute effort gave the home side a flattering winning margin.
