Reserves beat Red Devils – Wigan Warriors

• Match report as Wigan Warriors Reserves beat Salford Red Devils in a tough clash at Robin Park Arena.
• Harry Higham and Noah Hodkinson each scored twice as the Warriors crossed for six tries in the win.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 34-20 Salford Red Devils.

Wigan Warriors reserves scored six tries to record a hard-fought victory over Salford Red Devils reserves at Robin Park Arena.

Jack Farrimond’s early try put Warriors ahead before Harry Higham crossed twice before the break to ensure Wigan led 16-14 at the break.

Despite an end-to-end battle, the visitors were unable to take control as the Warriors added three tries in the second half to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Report

The Warriors, who were boosted by the return of Nathan Lowe, had their first attacking sets of the contest following a handling error at Salford. Despite almost going through Jack Purtill and George O’Loughlin, the visitors regained possession after a forward pass five meters from the line.

After an evenly contested quarter of an hour, the Warriors went ahead when a strong break from Noah Hodkinson saw the full-back offloaded to supporter Farrimond, who raced from 30m to the finish. Farrimond added the extras to put Wigan 6-4 in front.

An error on the restart put Salford’s possession back in a promising position and after starting the set with several carries through the middle, a short pass from Jack Gatcliffe allowed McCurrie to advance through the gap to score. The Warriors stayed in front after the kick fell short.

Wigan were reduced to 12 men at half-time when Sam Eseh Jr was shown a yellow card for his involvement in a tackle. Salford took immediate advantage to take the lead when a clever offload from Yates allowed Brown to crash over from close range. Gatcliffe added the extras to put the visitors 10-6 in front.

The Red Devils capitalized further when they crossed for their third try before the half-hour mark after a shot bounced into the hands of Connell, who had enough power to slot in despite an attempted tackle. The kick was wide again, the score remained 14-6.

Despite still being a man short, Wigan responded on 32 minutes when the ball was worked down the right, where a neat offload from Lowe allowed Higham to head into the corner. The touchline kick was missed which kept Salford’s four point lead.

From the restart, the Warriors applied pressure to the Salford defense and following a penalty for a high kick, the Warriors kept the game alive on the right as Higham collected a pass before running in for his second. Farrimond added the extra as Wigan finished the half to lead 16-14 at the break.

After a brief injury stoppage early in the second half, Salford piled the pressure on the Warriors defence, who were penalized for an infringement on their own line. The Warriors initially held a scoot attempt between the sticks before possession was overturned on a misplay.

The visitors continued to ask the Warriors questions as alert defending from O’Loughlin prevented a potential try at the expense of a lay-off, however Wigan held firm before their lead was extended on the hour when Hodkinson put in ground a smart chip. overhead kick from Charlie Yeomans. Farrimond added the extras to make it 22-14.

The end-to-end action continued at the Robin Park Arena as Salford responded in the 66th minute when Connell’s well-worked pass sent Harrison on the wing. Gatcliffe reduced the points gap further with a pinpoint strike from the touchline.

Salford came close to taking the lead twice as the clock hit 70 minutes when first Yates crossed from close range only to be held in front before a crazy shot in the corner eluded two attackers from Salford.

The Warriors sealed victory in the final five minutes when first-time Finlay Irwin crashed over after going through the line before Hodkinson slotted home his second of the afternoon. Farrimond added both kicks to make the final score 34-20.

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Harry Higham, Nathan Lowe, Zach Eckersley, George O’Loughlin, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh JR, Jack Purtill, Kian McDermott, Fin Beardsworth, Fin Irwin, Lukas Mason.

Change: Austin Daniel, Taylor Kerr, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Kalum Rathbone.

18th player: Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

Try: Farrimond (15′), Higham (32′, 37′), Hodkinson (60′, 77′), Irwin (75′).

Objectives: Farrimond (5/6).

Sin-bin: Eseh Jr (22′).

Salford Red Devils: Ethan Fitzgerald, Dan Harrison, George Charnock, Joshua Wagstaffe, Scott Egan, Nathan Connell, Jack Gatcliffe, Jordan Brown, Finley Yates, Alexander Davidson, Charlie McCurrie, Henry Davies, John Hutchings.

Change: Leunbo Bardyel Wells, Lewis Hough, George Hough, James Shields.

18th player: N/A.

Try: McCurrie (18′), Yates (22′), Connell (25′), Harrison (66′).

Objectives: Gatcliffe (2/4).