Salford City Reds 18-16 Warrington Wolves (eSL R8)
April 10, 2009 by Paul Mc
Salford secured only their second win back in Super League but were indebted to Warrington goalkicker Chris Hicks.
The Wolves trailed 18-12 when Ben Westwood took Chris Bridge’s pass in the last move of the match.
But, much to the relief of the Salford fans, Hicks was wide with the conversion attempt which would have stretched their unbeaten run to four matches.
To see the full highlights on RedPlanet TV, click the video link below.
Warrington welcomed back Michael Monaghan after hamstring trouble and he slotted back in at scrum-half in place of Lee Briers with Vinnie Anderson moving to centre after Martin Gleeson’s transfer to Wigan.
Salford were without Karl Fitzpatrick through illness, the only absentee from the side which stunned Hull with their first win on Humberside for 13 years in the Carnegie Challenge Cup last week.
John Wilshere switched to full-back against his old club with Stefan Ratchford drafted onto the wing.
The Wolves began the stronger with Adrian Morley held short on his first return to his hometown club since leaving Leeds eight years ago.
Paul Johnson forced his way over for his fourth try in four matches from dummy half after six minutes with Hicks booting the touchline conversion.
Salford were let down by handling errors but it was a blunder by Ben Harrison which allowed Richie Myler to race over straight from a scrum to level 6-6.
Then Myler followed up his own kick four minutes later, after Hicks failed to clear the danger, with Wilshere’s kick firing the Reds ahead 12-6 at the interval.
The greasy conditions caused both sides problems but it was a shrewd kick from Bridge which allowed Johnson to notch his second try in the corner after 49 minutes with Hicks’ kick levelling the scores 12-12.
Warrington would have gone ahead had Simon Grix been able to hold on to Monaghan’s kick with Johnson’s ingenuity deserving another try.
Wilshere almost snatched Salford the lead when chasing Myler’s kick in a closely fought encounter.
Ratchford failed with a drop goal attempt for Salford and Monaghan with a similar effort for Warrington before the outstanding Luke Adamson went over with Wilshere adding the goal.
Salford must have thought the two points were safe but then came Westwood’s even later effort and Hicks’ dramatic miss.
Salford: Wilshere, Ratchford, Littler, Turner, McGilvray, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Parker, Swain.
Replacements: Sibbit, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt.
Warrington: Hicks, Johnson, V. Anderson, Grix, King, Bridge, Monaghan, Morley, Higham, Carvell, L. Anderson, Westwood, Harrison.
Replacements: Clarke, Rauhihi, Wood, Mitchell.
Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury)
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City Reds
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Match Stats
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Wolves
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3
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Tries
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3
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3
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Goals
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2
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Drop Goals
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||
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366
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Tackles
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353
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15
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Misses
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12
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96%
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% Tackle Made
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97%
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25
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Kicks
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25
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5
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Retained Kicks
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5
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40/20’s
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1 | |
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45
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Number of sets
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41
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163
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Number PTB
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155
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14
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Quick PTB
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3
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197
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Carries
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178
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1122
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Metres
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1235
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1
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Breaks
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2
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5
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Offloads
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4
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12
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Errors
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13
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4
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Pens Con
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7
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On this day..
- Salford Travel to Featherstone Rovers in Northern Rail Cup - 2008
- Reserve Game cancelled - 2008
- Fans Forum - Shape the Future - 2004
what on a win an amazing peace of skill and luck made for the best match i have ever seen
A real slog this afternoon by two very even teams.
In my eyes Luke Adamson really came of age today his all round work-rate was simply outstanding.
WELL DONE THE REDS.
am i happy?
yes i am.
excellent what a difference a week makes, that is whaa i called rugby league today every man stood and was counted for today the atmosphere was electrifying and the minutes silence before hand was with upmost respect for young leon walker.
richy myler what a promising young player lets hope this continues
well done salford city reds you have made john wilkinson a very prouder man
what a game thought the reds was about to go tits up again but the ref wasnt up to the game some dodgey decisions. thanks to richie myler deserved man of the match.brilliant support. today keep it going reds
salford were lucky
WHAT A GAME, THE LADS WERE BRILLIANT,THEY BACKED EACH OTHER AND WORKED HARD AS A TEAM. THE TEAM WILL GET BETTER AND STRONGER AS THEY GO ALONG, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE CONFIDENCE FOR WINNING GAMES ,SO COME ON ALL YOU KNOCKERS AND GET BEHIND YOUR TEAM. P S I THINK TRENT BENT HAS SPELT HIS NAME BACK TO FRONT , IT SHOULD BE BENT TRENT. HOPE THE PLAYERS READ THE COMMENTS, THEY MUST TAKE THE PRAISE AS WELL AS THE CRITICISM.
I had the abolsute pleasure of travelling from Australia to watch the Reds win an enthralling encounter. For what it is worth, I thought Wiltshere at fullback was safe and always a chance of making a break. Ratchford, as a young replacement was outstanding. Littler never stopped trying and the staring front row was crucial. Parker was an absoute passanger and was way below the standard required. Smith did enough and only enough enough. Myler is class, in patches. Luluai (apologies for spelling) was solid and I had the pleasure to meet a class player and individual after the game. He held the door for my 88 year old Grandad and spoke with all of my family
All in all an unfortgettable experience. I hope the noise myself and kids made while Hicks was attempting the conversion contibuted to his demise.
Forever Red. Aussie Mark
wait so your an aussie who soports salford cool
First time in 10 years Iv been back to the willows, and what a return. Fantastic performance, weather was bad but the best team won on the day. !!! Im not even going to mention that KICK!!! HA HA Onwards and upwards Salford!!!!