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Salford Red Devils boss calls out officials for controversial call

Wigan Warriors produced a ruthless performance against Salford Red Devils to win 26-6. Wigan completed 100 per cent in the first half as they kept pace with their title rivals, but a first-half incident left Salford boss Paul Rowley asking questions.

Both teams met in Super League earlier this season, Wigan came out on top in that game later as a failed short goal line clearance in the last ten minutes gave Wigan the territory they needed to build pressure and score two late scores to keep then. -unbeaten flow goes.

Matt Peet’s side would go on to lose that run but have been impressive since their last defeat to Hull KR, even managing to see off the Robins in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup to book a place at Wembley for next month.

For Salford, the defeat makes it two in a row in an up-and-down season, however, it never seemed to come into play yesterday as three first-half tries put Wigan on their way to victory , with Adam Keighran, Junior. Nsemba and Brad O’Neil head for the men in Cherry and White.

Ollie Partington hit back early in the second half but Keighran’s boot ensured it was a three-score game before a late try from Frenchman Bevan completed the win, but it was not without controversy as Paul Rowley played in the postgame press conference. .

Salford Red Devils boss calls out officials for error

Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley has turned down Hull FC

Credit: Imago Images

It was back-to-back tries in the first half that killed the Salford Red Devils, with Wigan going from 6-0 to 18-0 almost instantly. This was helped by Wigan scoring their third try while the Red Devils only had 12 men on the field.

When Junior Nsemba stopped just after the 20-minute mark, the youngster tripped over Marc Sneyd, prompting him to require treatment, however, referee Tom Grant went a step further and showed a green card.

A green card can only be administered at the request of a doctor or trainer, but Salford did not request one, according to Paul Rowley. The green card meant Marc Sneyd had to leave the field for two minutes, during which Wigan added another try and the Red Devils’ chances looked to be slipping away.

“We weren’t confused: it wasn’t a green card – we didn’t call for the game to be stopped,” Salford manager Paul Rowley said. “There was no doctor on the ground. I think they realized it was wrong.”

Explaining further, Rowley said: “Sneydy was stamped on but I saw the replay and I don’t think it was intentional. I don’t think there was any foul play there at all. but it’s a tough sport, we use that gladiator expression, and now you’re also punished for getting hurt.

“We’ve already been penalized as a side because he went down for 30 seconds while injured and then they take him for two minutes. I thought there were some tough calls, but that’s not why we lost.”

Defeat means Salford fail to increase the buffer between themselves and Leeds Rhinos with two points remaining, the difference between sixth and seventh. It also means Wigan return to the top of Super League alongside St Helens and Warrington Wolves.

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