WARRINGTON Wolves continued their winning run with a seventh straight victory as they overcame Salford Red Devils 36-20 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
But after building up a 22-6 half time lead Warrington made hard work of their victory, only making the game safe in the closing quarter as the visitors staged a spirited fightback.
The visitors led by former Wolves favourite Adrian Morley, struck first in the second minute when Warrington fumbled possession and from the resulting set Salford scored out wide on the left through Sa’u with Chase landing the extras to make it 0-6.
But Warrington were soon back on level terms when young winger Gene Ormesby finished off a sweeping move in the corner, with Chris Bridge landing the conversion from wide out.
Salford continued to press but the Wolves defence held firm and then in the 17th minute the visitors lost possession allowing Chris Hill to send Ryan Atkins (pictured top) under the sticks. Bridge landed the conversion to make it 12-6.
Warrington started to turn the screw and extended their lead further after Salford gave away a penalty with a high shot on Ben Evans.
From the resulting set Bridge went over in the corner but couldn’t add the difficult kick making it 16-6 on 23 minutes.
With the clock ticking down Simon Grix lost the ball over the line but the Wolves soon extended their lead in the 36th minute when Joel Monaghan crossed for his customary try, with Bridge adding the extras to make it 22-6 at the break.
But within three minutes of the re-start Salford were back in the game as Morley went in under the posts and Chase landed the simple conversion to give the visitors some hope at 22-12.
Warrington had a great chance to extend their lead following a great break by Rhys Evans who was held up just short and then Riley knocked on to give possession back to Salford.
Salford then knocked on to give the possession back to the Wolves with Ben Westwood making a great break, for the Wolves then to surrender possession just inches from the line.
Then on 57 minutes Salford were given further hope when full-back Evalds dropped on a Chase grubber kick to score but then the half-back missed a simple conversion leaving a six point gap at 22-16.
On 61 minutes the Wolves opted to take a penalty with Bridge making no mistake to make it a two score game at 24-16.
Then on 67 minutes Evans went over to settle any nerves after taking a pass from Stefan Ratchford and Bridge landed the goal to make it 30-16.
But Salford refused to lie down and scored again on 73 minutes from another Chase kick and chase with Evalds again first to the ball. But Chase was again wide with the kick making it 30-20.
The visitors continued to press but it was Warrington who had the final say in the 79th minute when a Micky Higham bomb was touched down by Ben Currie. Bridge landed the conversion to make the scoreline 36-20.
Rhys Evans heads for the line
Co-Captain Bennie Westwood back with a bang!
Tony Smith shares a joke with Adrian Morley
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Wolves: Russell, Ormsby, J Monaghan, Atkins, R Evans, Bridge, Ratchford, Hill, Higham, B Evans, Grix, Westwood, Harrison
Subs: Asotasi, G Riley, Dwyer, Currie
Red Devils Team: Evalds, Johnson, Walton, Sa’u, Meli, Chase, Lee, Morley, Tomkins, Tasi, Dixon, Ashurst, Walne
Subs: Puletua, Griffin, Rapira, Platt
Atten 10,120
