Salford 24-14 Warrington: Wolves still winless

Match Stats

Salford tries:  Sa'u (4, 73), Griffin (34), Brinning (42)
Salford penalties/conversions: O'Brien (42, 67, 73, 79) 

Warrington tries: Patton (25), Hughes (38), Johnson (61)
Warrington penalties/conversions: Patton (38) 

Match Report

Warrington are still without a Betfred Super League win this season after they were sunk 24-14 by Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Junior Sa'u scored twice for the home side to help them to their first win over Warrington in 10 meetings.

The centre has scored tries his last four games against Warrington and it was his touchdown seven minutes from time which finally settled a hard-fought contest.

Despite beating Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Series, Tony Smith's side find themselves at the wrong end of Super League and on Thursday face another tough assignment against champions Wigan.

Sa'u's decisive try came seven minutes from time as he dropped onto a grubber kick from Michael Dobson. The conversion from Gareth O'Brien along with a penalty two minutes from time sealed the win.

Salford took the lead in the fifth minute when second rower George Griffin brushed off an attempted tackle and got his pass away to Sa'u who touched down but O'Brien was unable to convert.

Things appeared to be going from bad to worse for Warrington as the restart went out on the full but Salford could not capitalise.

The home side continued to press and Dobson's tempting kick to ingoal proved just too long for the chasing attackers.

But Warrington started to build some pressure and their second rower Jack Hughes was held up over the line by some desperate Red Devils defence in the 19th minute before Joe Westerman almost touched down a kick to ingoal.

The Wolves' persistence finally paid off in the 25th minute when Mike Cooper's pass sent Declan Patton racing for the tryline from 15 metres out but he could not add the conversion.

Salford regained the lead five minutes before half-time and once again it was a Dobson kick creating the danger. The ball was knocked backwards by Sa'u to the waiting Griffin who touched down. O'Brien again missed the goal.

Despite having been second best for much of the half, Warrington took the lead two minutes before half-time when Hughes powered over from 10 metres. Patton kicked the first conversion of the game to give Wolves a 10-8 interval lead.

Within two minutes of the restart, Salford were in front again as Kris Brining somehow grounded the ball one-handed from dummy half. O'Brien's goal made it 14-10.

As the game entered the final quarter, Warrington drew level when Kurt Gidley's long pass gave Jack Johnson the simple task of touching down in the corner. Once again, Patton's conversion was off target and it was 14-14.

Warrington were penalised for holding down in the 64th minute and O'Brien made no mistake with the goal to edge Salford back ahead, 16-14, before that late try from Sa'u which settled any Salford nerves.

Match Reaction

Salford coach Ian Watson: "It was a great response from us. We showed grit and determination especially after a few 50/50 calls went against us. The result is very pleasing as a group.

"Our game management has been very good all year and Michael Dobson was again first class. I thought the boys were brilliant.

"We are happy with where we are, especially after everyone was writing us off before the season. We are learning and improving every week and trying to go forward with consistency.

"Beating a very good team like Warrington will give us belief for the rest of the season."

Warrington coach Tony Smith: "We were up for the Brisbane game in a big way and put in an enormous effort. Maybe it flattened us but it's far from the end of the world for us. We know we are going to get some form together especially in the dry weather.

"At this stage of the year, you will get these kinds of results. I don't think you can determine who will win or come last in the competition in the first few weeks."