Wolves secure morale boosting golden point victory over Salford

Pictures Eddie Whitham

A dramatic George Williams’ golden-point drop-goal secured a morale-boosting victory for Warrington Wolves over Salford Red Devils ahead of the playoffs.

Warrington led at the break thanks to tries from Matty Ashton, Matt Davis and Josh Charnley with Ken Sio crossing at both ends of the half for Salford.
A converted try by Tui Lolohea’s put the visitors ahead with 20 to go, but Gareth Widdop’s penalty goal levelled it up.
Williams and Lolohea traded drop-goals, before Williams settled it for a dramatic golden point win.
With third place already assured and home advantage heading into this penultimate game of the season, the final home match was a chance for Head Coach Steve Price to give youth a chance.
Josh Thewlis, Connor Wrench, late-introduction Tom Whitehead, with Eribe Doro and Ellis Longstaff named alongside regulars such as Widdop, Williams, Blake Austin and Ben Currie.
Warrington’s experience proved key in the end, with Widdop and Williams holding their nerve with the boot, while Austin impressed in an unfamiliar back-rower role.
The visitors, with nothing to play for showed plenty of spirit to take the Wolves to sudden death in this game, with Sio maintaining his pexcellent form to take his tally to 17 for the season in Super League.
But despite their endeavour they were unable to stop Williams from slotting the winner.

Wolves: Ashton; Thewlis, Wrench, King, Charnley; Widdop, Williams; Mulhern, Davis, Whitehead, Austin, Currie, Hughes
Interchanges: J. Clark, Longstaff, Doro, Ratchford

Salford: Escare; Sio, Burgess, Sarginson, Williams; Lolohea, Atkin; Ormondroyd, Ackers, Johnson, Lannon, Robson, Addy
Interchanges: Taylor, Luckley, Inu, Burke