Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves ran in 11 tries as they thrashed struggling Salford 62-18 at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Gareth Widdop followed up his hat-trick against Castleford at the weekend with another two tries, while centre Toby King celebrated the announcement of his new four-year deal with a brace of his own.
Jake Mamo was also at the double, and Stefan Ratchford, Danny Walker, Chris Hill and Ben Currie all crossed for tries in a dominant victory.
Currie goes the length of the field for Warrington 🚀
📺 Watch now live on Sky Sports Arena pic.twitter.com/uerm89RbBO
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) May 27, 2021
Former Wolves back-rower Harvey Livett scored a try and two goals in the first half as the Red Devils fought from 18-0 down to trail 26-12 at the break.
But two sin bins for Morgan Escare and Darcy Lussick put them at a numerical disadvantage for 15 minutes, and down to 11 for five of those.
Widdop and half-back partner Blake Austin made them pay, as the Wolves cemented their position as Super League’s top scorers.
Warrington continue to impress!
📺 Watch now live on Sky Sports Arena pic.twitter.com/GRmW6ZB3Rz
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) May 27, 2021
It provides a huge boost ahead of next weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Castleford, as the Wolves look to book a return to Wembley.
Salford: Escare; Sio, Watkins, Livett, Williams; Lolohea, Atkin; Ormondroyd, Taylor, Ikahihifo, Lannon, Roberts, Burke. Subs: Lussick, Wells, Luckley, Patton.
Warrington: Ratchford; Lineham, Mamo, King, Charnley; Austin, Widdop; Hill, Walker, Philbin, Currie, Hughes, Davis. Subs: Mulhern, J. Clark, Akauola, D. Clark.
Man-of-the-Match Gareth Widdop – Picture Eddie Whitham
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Meanwhile, ahead of the game, the club announced that centre Toby King had signed a new four-year deal keeping him at the Wolves until 2025.
A product of the club’s Academy system, King has been at Warrington since the age of 16 and made his first-team debut back in July 2014.
The 24-year-old has since gone on to score 41 tries in 111 appearances in the primrose and blue, including nine in nine so far in 2021, and was named in the Super League Dream Team for the first time last season following a stellar campaign.
The centre is a part of Shaun Wane’s latest England squad and the Club fought off interest from numerous Super League and NRL clubs to secure his re-signing.
King said: “I’m delighted to be part of the club for the next four years.
“Hopefully I can continue to improve in the years ahead at Warrington and focus on achieving silverware this season and then building on the back of it. I still feel like I’ve got a lot more to give, I’m still young and have got time on my side.
“The fans at Warrington were a massive part of the decision to stay. Having them back in the stadiums now has made me realise even more so how special they are and I’m excited to get even more back in going forward.
“To quote one of my favourite quotes: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift – that’s why they call it the present!”
Warrington Wolves Head Coach Steve Price said: “It’s fantastic news for our Club to re-sign a player that’s come through our Academy system for another four years.
“The interest from other Super League and NRL clubs speaks volumes of the special player Toby has developed into and the performances he’s been delivering.
“He’s a terrific guy to coach, in red-hot form and there’s still plenty more to come from Toby in the years ahead.”
Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick added: “I’m delighted that we have secured the services of Toby for the next four years.
“He was outstanding last year and he’s carried that excellent form into 2021, therefore, I’m not surprised he received a lot of interest and attention from our Super League rivals and from overseas.
“Having come through our system it makes it extra special that he has committed his long-term future to the Club. At only 24 his best years are still ahead of him and I’m delighted those years will be with Warrington Wolves.”
