Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves surrendered a 16-point second-half lead to lose 24-32 at home to Salford in Super League.
Having handed debuts to Greg Minikin and Jake Wardle, it looked like Daryl Powell’s side were on their way to back-to-back home victories as they led 24-8.
But Salford scored four unanswered tries to leave the Halliwell Jones Stadium stunned and the Wolves slumped in 10th in the league table.
Wales’ most-capped player, former Wolves winger Rhys Williams, opened the scoring for the Red Devils on eight minutes and they doubled their lead when ex-Widnes man Deon Cross went over for 8-0.
Daryl Clark got Warrington on the board after 27 minutes but they trailed 8-6 at the break, although Salford ended the half with 12 men following a sin-bin for centre Kallum Watkins.
Warrington made the most of their numerical advantage at the start of the second half as Stefan Ratchford, who signed a new two-year deal this week, stretched over to give them the lead for the first time.
And from there they opened up a lead. A break by Wardle, the man brought in as part of a swap deal that saw Toby King go to Huddersfield, laid the platform for Gareth Widdop to score before Watkins returned for 18-8.
There was a touch of controversy for the next try for Josh Thewlis on 52 minutes. He got on the end of his own kick to touch down, but evidence suggested his foot was in touch.
The try was given though and Ratchford’s conversion made it 24-8.
Salford quickly hit back through a converted Chris Atkin try, but with 10 minutes left, the score remaining 24-14.
But the Wolves collapsed, as Jack Ormondroyd scored a brace of tries, and two Marc Sneyd conversions edged the Red Devils ahead.
Then with three minutes left, Ryan Brierley’s converted try ended any hopes of a comeback and Warrington went down to their 11th defeat in 17 league games this season.
Warrington: Widdop, Miniki, Wrench, Wardle, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Mulhern, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Davis. Subs: Bullock, Walker, Harrison, Mikaele
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Williams, Croft, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Gerrard, Livett, Watkins, Akauola. Subs: Atkin, Costello, Luckley, Dupree.
Clark slices through! 💥
Red Devils remain 2 in front 💪#SuperLeague #SLWarSal pic.twitter.com/X9AZ2nyDVz
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 3, 2022
Widdop delivers for Wolves 🐺 #SuperLeague #SLWarSal pic.twitter.com/99229na7PD
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 3, 2022
Flick from Watkins 👌
Red Devils reduce the deficit to 10 💪#SuperLeague #SLWarSal pic.twitter.com/3uQmpqBpEP
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 3, 2022
What a turnaround!
The Red Devils regain the lead in Warrington 🙌#SuperLeague #SLWarSal pic.twitter.com/qJiO5gcYm4
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 3, 2022
