A hat-trick of tries from Bennie Westwood helped Warrington Wolves romp
to victory 68-10 over Salford City Reds at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Man of the match Westwood’s first effort in the third minute of a very one-sided encounter was his 100th career try for the Wolves, with try number 101 following just two minutes later as the impressive Simon Grix raced clear to send the popular second row forward over in the corner. Stefan Ratchford, who had missed his first conversion attempt from out wide made no mistake this time to make it 10-0.
Salford briefly stemmed the one way traffic but good work from Richie Myler set up Briers, who sent out a looping pass to get Joel Monaghan in at the corner on 14 minutes, with Ratchford again landing the extras from out wide to make it 16-0.
The contest was as good as over within 20 minutes as Myler again burst clear to send the supporting Ben Currie on a diagonal run to the posts, with Ratchford’s conversion straight forward, to make it 22-0.
A rare Salford attack saw Jodie Broughton side step Joel Monaghan to get over in the corner but full back Marc Sneyd couldn’t land the extras.
Warrington were soon back in control and a flowing move was finished off by Currie on another angled run, with Ratchford again finding the target to make it 28-4 at the break.
There was no let up in the second half as a great break by Ryan Atkins, saw the supporting Myler send Ratchford over in the 45th minute with the full-back adding the extras from in front of the sticks to make it 34-4.
The floodgates opened as the Wolves piled on the pressure with Joel Monaghan adding his 2nd try on 49 minutes with Ratchford again landing another great touchline conversion to make it 40-4.
Salford were completely out on their feet as Ratchford collected a high ball in his own half and then burst clear to send Myler over as he left the Salford defenders clutching at thin air. Ratchford again added the extras to make it 46-4.
Westwood completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes to bring up the 50, with Ratchford making a rare miss with his conversion attempt.
More Wolves pressure saw Chris Riley race down the wing to score, cutting inside to narrow the angle for Ratchford who added the extras to make it 56-4.
Straight from the re-start Michael Monaghan (pictured right) cantered in with a long range effort, Ratchford again on target, making it 62-4.
Salford showed some spirit with a late consolation from Lee Gaskell, with Sneyd on target but Warrington had the final say in the closing minute as Westwood burst clear to send the supporting Mickey Higham over for a deserved try. Ratchford made it 10 from 12 conversion attempts to complete the scoring.
Ben Westwood celebrates his 100th career try for the Wolves
Ben Westwood heads for try 101 for the Wolves
Ben Currie who crossed twice for the Wolves
Wolves:
Ratchford, Riley, Atkins, Grix, Joel Monghan, Briers, Myler, Wood, Higham, Hill, Waterhouse, Westwood, Currie.
Subs: Morley, Michael Monaghan, Carvell, McCarthy.
Salford:
Sneyd, Gibson, Gleeson, Gaskell, Broughton, McGoldrick, Fages, Emmitt, Foran, Walne, Ashurst, Dixon, Wild.
Subs: Godwin, James, Neal, Mauro.
Atten; 9,560
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