Salford 12-30 Wigan: Bevan French hat-trick inspires Warriors to big win
Bevan French celebrates one of his tries with Jai Field | Photo: John Clifton/SWpix
Bevan French bagged a hat-trick and played a part in a couple of more tries to help Wigan to a comfortable 30-12 win over Salford.
Wigan coach Matt Peet made two changes to his side that won 32-12 at Castleford last week. Tommy Leuluai and John Bateman came in for Abbas Miski and Iain Thornley.
Meanwhile, Paul Rowley made three changes to his Salford side that lost 43-16 at Hull KR. Sitaleki Akauola, Andy Ackers and Sam Luckley returned to action. The trio replaced Ryan Lannon, Morgan Escare and Danny Addy.
The Warriors made a fine start to the game and got on the front foot straight away. A break from Liam Marshall down the left wing saw him assist the supporting Harry Smith on the inside. Smith converted his own try.
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No more tries were scored in the first half, but Salford were pretty fortunate not to be further behind at the break because Wigan were in a comfortable throughout the first half.
HT: Salford Red Devils 0-6 Wigan Warriors
Whatever Peet said to his side at in the sheds at half-time clearly worked as the Warriors went on a try-scoring spree.
Marshall scored his first from a cheeky grubber kick from Jake Bibby. In the 50th minute, Jai Field and Bevan French combined brilliantly to race the length of the field, with the latter scoring.
Wigan then scored three tries in six minutes, with Australian full-back French completing his hat-trick and Marshall getting his second.
Salford did get on the scoresheet in the dying embers of the game through Deon Cross and Kallum Watkins but they only proved to be consolation tries as Wigan finished 30-12 winners.
FT: Salford Red Devils 12-30 Wigan Warriors
Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Lafai, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Akauola, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Livett, Watkins, Taylor. Subs: Luckley, Bourouh, Gerrard, Dupree.
Tries: Cross, Watkins Goals: Sneyd 2
Wigan: Field; French, Isa, Bibby, Marshall; Smith, Leuluai; Singleton, Powell, Byrne, Farrell, Bateman, Ellis. Subs: Mago, Partington, Havard, Shorrocks.
Tries: Smith, Marshall (2), French (3) Goals: Smith 3
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