Wigan 42-6 Salford: Warriors turn on the style

Match stats: Wigan 42-6 Salford

Wigan tries: O'Loughlin (7), Burgess (9,24), Farrell (16), Powell (36), Williams (48), Nuuausala (54), Marshall (72)
Goals: Williams (7,9,36,48,54)

Salford tries: Evalds (67)
Goals: O'Brien (67)

Match report

Wigan warmed up for next Saturday's Challenge Cup Final with an eight-try demolition of Salford to keep them in the hunt for a top-four Super League place.

The Warriors produced one of their best halves of rugby for some time as they led 26-0 at the break with Joe Burgess scoring twice and Sean O'Loughlin, Liam Farrell and Sam Powell also getting in the act as they outplayed Salford for 40 minutes.

Tries from George Williams and Frank-Paul Nuuausala saw the Warriors lead 38-0 and it was game over by the 54th minute, although Salford did grab a consolation through Niall Evalds before Liam Marshall got his name on the score sheet to secure a 42-6 success.

Salford were the better team in the opening five minutes as they camped on Wigan's line thanks to a penalty and a drop out, but they were unable to break the Warriors defence although Greg Johnson went close on two occasions.

The Warriors did well to keep the Red Devils scoreless and then went up the other end and took the lead. They looked out of sorts on the last tackle until Sam Tomkins aimed a neat kick towards the line and captain O'Loughlin was hand to touch down. Williams converted to make it 6-0.

An error from the visitors in their own half gifted possession to Wigan and they made them pay, the ball was sent to the left from the scrum and Oliver Gildart offloaded for Burgess to race over and score, Williams' conversion extended the lead to 12.

Salford continued to create chances but they lacked that final spark, while the Warriors looked like scoring on every set. Nuuausala got them close with a barnstorming run, before Farrell went over for their third try.

Wigan were in the mood to boost their points difference with Burgess going over for his second as he collected a sublime ball from Williams, while Powell got in on the act four minutes before half-time as he used the wet conditions to his advantage to touch down another kick from Tomkins to lead 26-0 at the break.

Wigan ensured there was no chance of a Salford fightback as they extended their lead to 32 inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Farrell picked up a loose ball and sent Burgess racing away, he was brought down before Gildart fed Williams to go over near the posts.

The Warriors were in no mood to let up even with the Challenge Cup final on the horizon as Nuuausala forced his way over from close range, Williams' conversion made it 38-0 and it was job done.

Salford did grab a consolation try heading into the final 10 minutes with Niall Evalds touching down from a Michael Dobson bomb, although the Warriors deservedly had the final say with Marshall scoring in the corner.

Match reaction

Shaun Wane on Wigan's 'best performance in years': "We won't get carried away. Salford were a bit busted and a lot of things went our way but very happy to get the win. I was happy with a lot of things we did, having a decent lead at half-time and it can be hard to stay mentally focused but we finished sets in the areas we wanted.

"We were quite patient and that was the most pleasing thing. A few years I would say [since Wigan played as well], a good few years. In terms that nothing aggravated me."

Salford coach Ian Watson admitted his team were outplayed: "We had a little bit of possession on their try line at the start and we probably needed to just take a couple of points there to try and turn the tide. It would have given us a foothold in the game, but we didn't and they marched us the full length.

"I thought their middles were outstanding. They absolutely dominated us to be fair. We have not done ourselves any favours by putting in that kind of performance. I think we met Wigan on a good day, what we wanted to do was rectify the semi-final defeat but they were just too good for us."