Sensational Sandow sends Wolves top of the table

A sensational last gasp drop goal from half-back Chris Sandow saw Warrington Wolves snatch an incredible 30-31 victory at Salford Red Devils to go top of Super League and maintain a 100 per cent winning start to the season.

Trailing 30-12 early in the second half the Wolves, who have not won their opening four games of the season since 1999 under Daryl Van de Velde, staged an amazing fight-back, with three converted tries in six sensational minutes to level the scores at 30-30.

Two failed drop goal attempts from the hosts, followed by a missed drop goal attempt and penalty from Sandow set up a breath taking finish, as the Aussie half-back banged over an incredible last second long range effort from near half way, with the ball sailing between the sticks as the final hooter sounded – setting off amazing scenes of celebration from the travelling Wolves’ fans packed behind the goal.

After the game Head of Coaching Tony Smith, who described Sandow’s drop goal as “an incredible moment of magic,” said he felt gutted for Salford and that “a draw would have been a fair result.”

Commenting on the first half performance Smith said: “We just  needed to get hold of the ball. There were slip ups from both teams but Salford played the conditions perfectly in the first half.

“We knew the second 20 minutes of the second half could be the catalyst to win the game,” added Smith who was full of praise for Sandow’s overall kicking game, describing it as the best kicking game he had seen “since the days of Sean Long.”

He added: “To be fair to Salford they are a good side who will cause teams a lot of problems this season.”

There was little sign of the excitement come come in what was mostly a shocking first half for Warrington, starting in the second minute when back to back back penalties saw Junior S’au push through some paper thin tackling to open the scoring for the visitors, with Michael Dobson adding the extras.

Warrington hit back when young forward Jack Hughes managed to force the ball down with Sandow’s conversion leveling the scores.

Back to back penalties helped Warrington  take the lead on 12 minutes when Ben Currie twisted his way through the Salford tacklers to score, with Sandow’s conversion making it 6-12.

Warrington looked to have scored a third when Kev Penny showed great skill to jump in the air and throw the ball back inside for Matty Russell to touch down but it was ruled out by the video referee when replays showed Penny had just put a foot in touch.

The decision seemed to deflate Warrington as Salford took control and were back on level terms on 15 minutes through a Josh Hones try, this time goaled by former Warrington half-back Gaz O’Brien.

On 23 minutes another penalty against Warrington saw Greg Johnson restore Salford’s lead, bursting through some weak tackles to score with O’Brien adding the extras to make it 18-12.

O’Brien then kicked a 40-20 and from the next set Salford extended their lead as Dobson hoisted an up and under and S’au out jumped Ryan Atkins to win the ball and touch down behind the sticks. O’Brien then goaled to make it 24-12.

When Salford scored again just before the break out wide through Josh Griffiths, Warrington looked down and out although O’Brien was wide with the conversion making it 28-12 at the break.

Early in the second half things went from bad to worse for the Wolves has Gary Wheeler’s injury nightmare continued as he had to be helped off with what looked like a serious achilles injury on 43 minutes and then O’Brien slotted over a penalty to make it 30-12 on 49 minutes.

Then a pivotal moment in the game swung things Warrington’s way as Currie and Carney were both sent to the sin bin for a bout of fisticuffs.

With both sides down to 12 men it was Warrington who seemed to benefit as Ryan Atkins went over for the 100th try of his Warrington career on the hour. Sandcow kept his cool to slot over a great conversion to make it 30-18 and game on.

The next five minutes saw an incredible turn around as a clever kick by Sandow saw Atkins grab his second try this time behind the sticks providing an easy conversion. Then three minutes later man-of-the-match Chris Hill off-loaded brilliantly to send Ashton Sims powering over with Sandow’s conversion leveling the scores.

In the closing minutes Salford failed with two drop goal attempts, while Sandow missed with one drop goal attempt and a long range penalty.

Then with the clock ticking down up stepped Sandow to deliver a killer blow with a sensational drop goal to seal a memorable victory in the last second.

After the game Sandow said: “As a professional we practice for these moments. Fortunately luck went my way. We just wanted to win after a tragic first half when we shot ourselves in the foot.”