Warrington 30-14 Salford: Match Report & Talking Points
Warrington marked their final pre-season match with a 30-14 win over Salford in Lee Mossop’s testimonial match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
It was a close first half, with Josh Thewlis’ early effort the only thing deciding the teams for much of it. Ryan Lannon got Salford back in it, before Ellis Robson scored to put Wire on top at the break.
Jake Thewlis went over for a debut try a couple of minutes into the second half, before tries from Joseph Brady and Jacob Lee got Salford right back in it with 15 minutes to go.
But it proved to be Warrington’s day. A second try from Jake Thewlis, and other efforts from Jack Darbyshire and Ellis Longstaff helped the hosts home.
Match Report
Warrington drew first blood inside just four minutes. Josh Thewlis got the ball and was able to step around his man and get through the gap to score. Riley Dean kicked the conversion for a six-point Wire lead.
The game got a little scrappy after that, with both teams able to cancel each other out when they got close to the line.
However, with five minutes left until the break, Salford hit back. A darting run from Morgan Escare set up the field position, and Ryan Lannon was able to barge over, despite the best efforts of the Warrington defence. Chris Atkin missed the conversion to ensure Warrington still lead.
Salford were not back in it for long, as Warrington grabbed their second try just before the break. Ellis Robson was able to take the ball and spin over under the posts. Dean converted from bang in front extend Warrington’s lead to eight points at the break.
HT- Warrington 12-4 Salford
Warrington started the second half in similar vain to how they started the first. They extended their lead five minutes in. Jake Thewlis was put through a gap and ran through to claim a try. Dean’s conversion curled outside the post and wide, meaning Wire’s lead stayed at 12 points.
Salford, who made a couple of changes at half-time, got themselves back in it soon after. A neat kick towards the corner was grounded by Joseph Brady, for his first senior try. Jack Stevens could not get the conversion on target, meaning their deficit stood at eight points.
With just over 15 minutes left, Salford threatened to make it really interesting. Jacob Lee came onto a ball and managed to barge his way over. Stevens kicked the conversion to make it just a two-point game, with Warrington still just ahead.
Just four minutes later, Warrington extended their lead to calm any nerves. Jake Thewlis managed to cross for his second try after getting himself free of the Salford defender. Dean once again could not convert, meaning it was still a six-point contest.
That breathing space would be extended with 10 minutes to go. Warrington worked the ball out to the right-hand side, and this time it was Jack Darbyshire who went over for a try on his first appearance for the first team. Dean’s conversion hit the post.
It soon became three tries in 10 minutes for Warrington, as they made the result safe. This time, Ellis Longstaff got on to an ambitious kick forward, beating Nathan Taylor to the ball for the try. Dean was back on target with the conversion attempt to get Wire up to 30 points.
Warrington will now turn their attentions to the start of the Super League season next week. They travel to Leeds on Saturday, while Salford travel to Castleford on Friday.
Team News
Warrington: Jo. Thewlis, Charnley, Darbyshire, Ja. Thewlis, Booth, Hayes, Dean, Bullock, Inman, Butler, Robson, Longstaff, Clark. Subs: Gannon, Burgess, Whitehead, Scott, Thomas, Doolan.
T: Jo. Thewlis, Robson, Ja. Thewlis (2), Darbyshire, Longstaff
G: Dean 3/6
Salford: Escare, Williams, Dalton-Harrop, Lafai, Taylor, Stevens, Atkin, Luckley, Bourouh, Ormondroyd, Lannon, Greenwood, Wells. Subs: Johnson, Green, Rourke, Sherratt, C. Hughes, Worrell, Calland, Holt, Bardsley, Brady, Coope-Franklin, T. Hughes, Lee, Davidson, Spencer-Tonks.
T: Lannon, Brady, Lee
G: Atkin 0/1, Stevens 1/2
Talking Points
First look at Tim Lafai
Tim Lafai made his first appearance for Salford since his move from Canterbury. He had a couple of good carries of the ball during his 40 minute stint.
Both Thewlis brothers on the scoresheet
It was a memorable night for both Josh and Jake Thewlis. They both scored in the opening minutes of each half, with Jake going over for a double on his debut.
Warrington find second gear
Salford started the second half brightly and got back to 16-14 with 15 minutes of the contest left. But Warrington were able to rattle off three tries in 10 minutes.
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