Flying Budgie hands Salford Red Devils huge boost, play-off race going down to the Wire – Five takeaways

Salford Red Devils strengthened their hopes of making the play-offs with a pulsating 24-20 win over Warrington Wolves in golden point extra-time.

Here are our five takeaways from the televised Round 25 clash at the Salford Stadium…

Salford Red Devils play-off boost

There was a lot riding on this game for Paul Rowley’s side heading into it as they eye a place in the end of season play-offs with the ultimate aim to eventually make the short trip to Old Trafford.

It was a topsy turvy game, but the Red Devils emerged victorious after the game went into golden point extra-time with the score tied at 20-20 after 80 minutes.

Salford’s win sees them remain in seventh in the Super League table – but they are now level on points with sixth-placed Warrington with two rounds to go.

The flying Budgie

A moment of brilliance from Salford winger Joe Burgess proved the difference between the two sides in golden point.

Burgess, making his 24th appearance for the Red Devils in 2023, produced a sensational piece of footwork to go around Warrington winger Josh Thewlis to set up Sam Stone’s match-winning try.

The flying winger, nicknamed Budgie from his Wigan days, has been a consistent performer for Salford this season.

Low quality, high entertainment

It’s probably fair to say it wasn’t the highest quality match we’ve seen all season – but the entertainment was certainly there.

We all know Salford and Warrington can play much better than what they did today – but the game had a bit of everything and the entertainment factor made it a good one to have in front of the Channel 4 cameras.

Down to the Wire

Warrington currently occupy the sixth and final play-off spot, sitting on 26 points – two points behind fifth-placed Hull KR and just above seventh-placed Salford on points difference.

In one of the craziest Super League seasons ever, the play-off race will go down to the wire.

Salford face Hull KR away and Catalans Dragons at home in their remaining two fixtures of the regular season, whilst Warrington take on St Helens at home and Huddersfield away.

Milestone man Sneyd

Talismanic Red Devils half-back Marc Sneyd surpassed the 2,000-point mark in Super League during the clash at the Salford Stadium.

Sneyd has scored 2,000 Super League points for Salford (549), Hull FC (1,225) and Castleford (226).

The England international has one helluva half-back in Super League over the years and is one of the best kickers the competition has seen.

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