Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves kick started the new season with a 26-10 victory over Salford Red Devils in Mike Cooper’s testimonial game in front of a crowd of just over 4,000.
Wire boss Steve Price named a strong 21-man side to take on last year’s losing grand finalists including new signings Matty Ashton and Anthony Gelling, while former Wire Kevin Brown lined up for Salford.
Cooper, who was celebrating the startr of his testimonial season was given a guard of honour as he walked onto the pitch with his children.
The visitors looked like causing an upset as they led 8-10 at the break but were kept pointless in the second half as Warrington stepped up a gear.
Sarginson went over for the Salford after seven minutes, with the touchline conversion attempt going wide.
Warrington hit back on 12 minutes, when Salford fumbled and King was in place to claim possession and cross for the try. Ratchford’s kick made 6-4
Asthon showed hios pace to save a try for Evalds but from 10 metres out the ball was moved out to Sarginson who over for his second try on 25 minutes. Lolohea was successful with the conversion, making it 6-10.
On 36 minutes Atkin darted over the line but was held up on the last to deny another Salford try.
A penalty went to the Wire and with two minutes to the break with Ratchford converting to make it 8-10 at the break.
After a slow start to the second half Warrington eventually took control with Ashton showing pace again to get to within 20 metres. The ball was moved out wide and space opened up for Gelling to go over.
Ratchford converted making it 14-10.
Warrington continued to press and eventually Burrell went over with Ratchford adding the extras to make it 20-10.
Then on 68 minutes Warrington wrapped up the game with quick hands out to the left edge to put Lineham over in the corner, the conversion making it 26-10.
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Matty Ashton, Tom Lineham, Toby King, Anthony Gelling, Josh Charnley, Blake Austin, Stefan Ratchford, Joe Philbin, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jason Clark
Subs: Matt Davis, Jake Mamo, Luther Burrell, Danny Walker, Sitaleki Akauola, Declan Patton, Luis Johnson, Keanan Brand
Tries: King, Gelling, Burrell, Lineham
Goals: Ratchford (5)
Salford Red Devils
Niall Evalds, Ken Sio, Kris Welham, Dan Sarginson, Rhys Williams, Tu’imoala Lolohea, Kevin Brown, Luke Yates, Connor Jones, Gil Dudson, Tyrone McCarthy, Jack Ormondroyd, Greg Burke
Subs: Elliott Kear, Krisnan Inu, Ed Chamberlain, Chris Atkin, Mark Flanagan, Connor Davies-Aspey, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Pauli Pauli, Joshua Johnson, Adam Walker
Tries: Sarginson (2)
Goals: Lolohea
Atten: 4,046
Made in Warrington!
A guard of honour for @MikeCooper_18 👏 pic.twitter.com/IEcGllzZQc
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 23, 2020
💛 W I R E 💙 pic.twitter.com/HXCtZiukKA
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 23, 2020
📽️ A quick message from @MikeCooper_18 following his Testimonial game this evening
👏 Thank you for your support pic.twitter.com/JIMpvDiy45
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 23, 2020
