After last Friday’s heroics at St.Helens, Salford had another very difficult assignment in front of them on Thursday night. World Champions Wigan were the visitors and they currently sat top of the table on points difference with three wins from their opening three League matches. A win for Salford would take them to top spot for at least twenty four hours so an exciting night of Rugby League action was expected.

Salford coach Paul Rowley had a boost to his squad this week as Gil Dudson returned to the club for a second spell. This time on loan from Warrington. The Welsh international played for the Red Devils in the 2019 Grand Final and the 2020 Challenge Cup final before leaving to join Catalans.

Rowley’s squad had took a bit of a battering at Saints, Ben Hellewell, Jack Ormondroyd, Cade Cust, Brad Singleton and Chris Hankinson were all missing through injury. David Nofoaluma started on the wing with Ethan Ryan and Matty Foster in-line to make their respective debuts of the bench.

After a day of showers the rain halted for kick off and it did feel significantly warmer than the previous home game.

Salford worked hard in defence in the early stages as both sides looked very organised. Wigan looked dangerous on their left edge, every time Liam Farrell got his hands on the ball you felt something could happen.

Andrew Dixon started at prop for Salford and put a real lung busting effort in.

The Red Devils certainly looked the more ambitious of the two sides. Wigan were methodical and very tough in defence. The Warriors scored the only points of the first half in the final minute just before the hooter. Jai Field produced a marvellous kick for flying winger Liam Marshall who got the try. Harry Smith missed the conversion, 0-4.

Nofoaluma knocked on a high kick in the early stages of the second half. Wigan capitalised on the next set. A lovely cut out pass sent Abbas Miski over to double the visitors lead. Smith tagged the conversion on, 0-10.

This seemed to spring Salford into action. Instead of putting the game to bed Wigan seemed to put the cue on the rack. Marc Sneyd grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and his short kicking game caused absolute havoc.

One kick through looked like the Salford player was held back but this didn’t deter Sneyd, his next one was as accurate as can be. Sam Stone pounced bravely to score with Sneyd adding the goal, 6-10.

You couldn’t take your eyes of this match and when Salford juggled the kick off Wigan’s defence thundered in to force another drop out. The Red Devils couldn’t afford to concede any points and they defended desperately.

Paul Rowley had to make positional changes when Amir Bourouh came off after another fantastic performance. Ethan Ryan moved to fullback, Atkin went to hooker with Ryan Brierley filling in at stand off.

Another Sneyd kick turned the game on its head. Tim Lafai was on hand to score and Salford were level. From the touch line the conversion looked a difficult one. The rain was now teeming down but Sneyd made it look effortless before his trademark salute. The hosts took the lead, 12-10 and it was thoroughly deserved.

The Warriors were rattled and a missed timed pass floated into touch allowing Salford another attacking opportunity. Sneyd again kicked through and Brierley was held back rather cynically by Smith. Referee Chris Kendall showed the yellow card and with only ten minutes remaining the visitors would play out the match with twelve men. Salford opted to run the penalty.

Danger man Farrell was stopped by a fantastic ball and all tackle. The Warriors were finishing strongly and forced another drop out. Sneyd went short with the kick, Salford failed to gather the possession and this allowed Jake Wardle to charge over for a try with just four minutes remaining.

Kendall then pinged Salford for being offside at the kick off in one of those penalties you tend to see once a season if your lucky. The pressure told and Bevan French wrapped the game up gliding over for a try.

The final score seemed a little harsh on Rowley’s side who once again produced a heroic effort full of entertainment. Salford were only a few minutes away from another famous win. Wigan are the Champions and they will take some beating this season. When they needed a big play they came up with it at the vital time.

Salford travel to Hull Kingston Rovers next Friday for a mouth watering Challenge Cup tie.

Speaking after the match Paul Rowley was very proud of his sids effort but disappointed not to get the win. He also confirmed Brad Singleton and Ben Hellewell will both be out for a number of weeks with injuries.

Salford 12 Wigan 22.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.