Wigan Warriors 34-18 Salford City Reds (eSL R15)
June 5, 2009 by Paul Mc
There was no revenge fairytale for the Reds as they went down at the JJB for a second consecutive week, with Wigan Warriors this time claiming the two points in the engage Super League to add to their Challenge Cup scalp a week earlier. The Warriors were never behind and remained comfortable throughout yet the Reds closed the gap, on the scoreboard at least, from last Friday with tries from Malcolm Alker, Mark Henry and Luke Swain chipping in with his first for the club.
To see the match highlights on RedPlanetTV, click the video link below.
Match Report
Wigan hit Salford with an early four-try blast to set up a comfortable 34-18 engage Super League win.
George Carmont, Tim Smith, Pat Richards and Mark Riddell all crossed in the opening 16 minutes as the Warriors overpowered the Reds for a second successive week.
Six-goal Richards, who claimed a hat-trick in the Challenge Cup win seven days ago, then grabbed a second and there were further tries for Mark Riddell and Harrison Hansen.
Salford, crashing to their 10th league loss, mustered consolations through Luke Swain, Mark Henry and Malcolm Alker.
The Reds defence was run ragged from the start and Wigan were 22-0 ahead before the visitors had even enjoyed a decent spell of possession.
Carmont began the blitz after just three minutes when he raced under the posts after Thomas Leuluai had broken the line.
Wigan could find no place in their side for young star Sam Tomkins, named in the England squad his week, but his replacement Smith claimed their second try two minutes later.
The Australian stand-off finished off a slick move after Sean O’Loughlin had kicked towards the touchline and Amos Roberts gathered to pass inside.
Richie Myler was forced to concede a drop-out as a Leuluai kick almost created a second for Carmont but the respite was only brief for the Reds.
The hosts powered forward again through Carmont and sent Richards over in the corner.
Things then got even worse for Salford as hooker Riddell crashed over from close range.
With Richards converting three of the opening four tries, Wigan were cruising.
Salford at last managed to put together a decent move after winning a penalty midway through the first half.
Hooker Alker broke the line from halfway and despite a decent recovery from Wigan, Swain managed to twist his way over to get the Reds on the scoreboard.
John Wilshere converted but, despite another couple of Salford attacks, Wigan remained in control and Richards sneaked over to make it 28-6 at the break with another converted try out wide.
The second half began in lively fashion as a scuffle broke out between Alker and Gareth Hock but order was soon restored.
Wigan threatened again after Roberts claimed a loose ball but the winger knocked on in a tackle.
Salford managed to reduce the deficit as Henry jumped high to take a high Myler kick cleanly and touch down.
Wilshere converted and then went close to scoring a try himself with a weaving run but Wigan held out.
Roberts stepped into touch as he went close to claiming Wigan’s sixth try but the result was put beyond all doubt as O’Loughlin’s run set up Hansen 11 minutes from time.
Richards added his sixth goal to take his points tally in the two games against Salford to 40.
Salford had little to cheer but at least had the last laugh when Myler’s kick rebounded off a post for Alker to score.
Match Facts
| Wigan (28) 34 | Salford (6) 18 |
| Tries: Carmont, Richards 2, Smith, Riddell, Hansen | Alker, Swain, Henry |
| Goals: Richards 5 | Wilshere 3 |
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Attend: 11,550
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Wigan: Phelps, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Coley, Riddell, Prescott, Hock, J. Tomkins, O’Loughlin.
Replacements: Fielden, Paleaaesina, Hansen, McIlorum.
Salford: Wilshere, Henry, Littler, Turner, Goulding, Ratchford, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Parker, Swain.
Replacements: Sibbit, Jewitt, Leuluai, Smith.
Referee: I Smith (Oldham)
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Warriors
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Match Stats
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City Reds
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6
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Tries
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3
|
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5
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Goals
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3
|
|
Drop Goals
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||
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283
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Tackles
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306
|
|
15
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Misses
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19
|
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95%
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% Tackle Made
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94%
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19
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Kicks
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16
|
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5
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Retained Kicks
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3
|
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40/20’s
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||
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40
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Number of sets
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36
|
|
131
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Number PTB
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120
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| 9 |
Quick PTB
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10 |
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190
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Carries
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166
|
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1398
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Metres
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1053
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|
9
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Breaks
|
5 |
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9
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Offloads
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9
|
|
7
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Errors
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11
|
|
12
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Pens Con
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9
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What a rubbish team we have got and what a stupid remark by our coach to say we won the second half 12-6,is this man in the real world?….Bottom 4 finish is all we have to look forward to and luckly there is no relegation or we would be back playing Batley and the likes
yes but how can the ref and is toch jugers make so many mistakes in the first half to give them a 20 nill start if he is one of the best res in the uk we have a probram and a big one at that
sorry to say it but our tactitics are all wrong, i think mr mc should have been sitting where i was you could see plainly the gaps all over the place. even swinton would have given a better display. all i can say is thank god we tryed a little harder in the second half.