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Wigan shrug off injury worries to close in on top spot after win over Salford Wigan shrug off injury worries to close on top spot after beating Salford
(about 1 hour later)
Injury-hit Wigan made it a miserable night for their former assistant coach Iestyn Harris with a clinical victory at the AJ Bell Stadium that lifts them to within a point of Super League leaders Leeds.Injury-hit Wigan made it a miserable night for their former assistant coach Iestyn Harris with a clinical victory at the AJ Bell Stadium that lifts them to within a point of Super League leaders Leeds.
The Warriors went into the game without nine regulars and lost hooker Michael McIlorum midway through the first half with a knee injury but Shaun Wane’s youngsters came up with the goods to secure an impressive win over a disappointing Salford, who have now gone seven matches without a victory.The Warriors went into the game without nine regulars and lost hooker Michael McIlorum midway through the first half with a knee injury but Shaun Wane’s youngsters came up with the goods to secure an impressive win over a disappointing Salford, who have now gone seven matches without a victory.
Teenage winger Joe Burgess led the way with two of his side’s four tries, while former Salford scrum-half Matty Smith kicked four goals and a drop goal.Teenage winger Joe Burgess led the way with two of his side’s four tries, while former Salford scrum-half Matty Smith kicked four goals and a drop goal.
As well as Wigan’s rookies played, the game will be best remembered for referee Phil Bentham’s inability to make a decision other than to refer the majority of the crucial calls to the fourth official.As well as Wigan’s rookies played, the game will be best remembered for referee Phil Bentham’s inability to make a decision other than to refer the majority of the crucial calls to the fourth official.
The video referee, Ben Thaler, was called upon eight times, disallowing three tries to Salford and two to Wigan – largely through sticking to the letter of the law on the obstruction rule – before finally giving the green light to three Wigan scores.The video referee, Ben Thaler, was called upon eight times, disallowing three tries to Salford and two to Wigan – largely through sticking to the letter of the law on the obstruction rule – before finally giving the green light to three Wigan scores.
The first try did not come until just before half-time but the outcome was never seriously in doubt.The first try did not come until just before half-time but the outcome was never seriously in doubt.
There was a surprise re-appearance of Australian scrum-half Tim Smith, one of four ex-Wigan players in the Salford lineup, along with on-loan hooker Logan Tomkins, but he was never able to make his mark on the game.There was a surprise re-appearance of Australian scrum-half Tim Smith, one of four ex-Wigan players in the Salford lineup, along with on-loan hooker Logan Tomkins, but he was never able to make his mark on the game.
Thaler was arguably the busiest man at the ground. He ruled out early tries to Francis Meli (Salford) and Ryan Hampshire (Wigan) for obstruction and, while Salford had the majority of possession, Wigan always looked the more likely scorers, with 19-year-old Burgess and fellow winger Dominic Manfredi going close to touching down kicks from Sam Powell and Smith.Thaler was arguably the busiest man at the ground. He ruled out early tries to Francis Meli (Salford) and Ryan Hampshire (Wigan) for obstruction and, while Salford had the majority of possession, Wigan always looked the more likely scorers, with 19-year-old Burgess and fellow winger Dominic Manfredi going close to touching down kicks from Sam Powell and Smith.
On a rare foray to the Wigan line, former Warrior Gareth Hock had a try disallowed for a double movement while Thaler also denied Wigan centre Dan Sarginson for an obstruction.On a rare foray to the Wigan line, former Warrior Gareth Hock had a try disallowed for a double movement while Thaler also denied Wigan centre Dan Sarginson for an obstruction.
The only try of the first period eventually came on the stroke of half-time when Smith, a one-time Everton apprentice, showed his dribbling skills to set up the score for the second rower John Bateman, who outpaced the full-back Greg Eden to get the touchdown.The only try of the first period eventually came on the stroke of half-time when Smith, a one-time Everton apprentice, showed his dribbling skills to set up the score for the second rower John Bateman, who outpaced the full-back Greg Eden to get the touchdown.
The referee, Bentham, even referred that to the fourth official, whose announcement of a try was greeted by ironic cheers from the Wigan fans.The referee, Bentham, even referred that to the fourth official, whose announcement of a try was greeted by ironic cheers from the Wigan fans.
Smith’s successful conversion made it 6-0 and he was again on target five minutes into the second half after Powell had taken his pass to jink over for Wigan’s second try.Smith’s successful conversion made it 6-0 and he was again on target five minutes into the second half after Powell had taken his pass to jink over for Wigan’s second try.
Salford lacked the kicking game to get them out of their own half and it was no surprise when the visitors extended their lead on 52 minutes, with Burgess accepting Hampshire’s pass following his weaving run to slide over for his first try.Salford lacked the kicking game to get them out of their own half and it was no surprise when the visitors extended their lead on 52 minutes, with Burgess accepting Hampshire’s pass following his weaving run to slide over for his first try.
Salford forward Matty Ashurst had a try disallowed by Thaler for a ball steal and Wigan extended their lead with a Smith drop goal and a 70-metre try from Burgess.Salford forward Matty Ashurst had a try disallowed by Thaler for a ball steal and Wigan extended their lead with a Smith drop goal and a 70-metre try from Burgess.
The Red Devils finished a well-beaten side but they at least avoided the embarrassment of not scoring when Meli went over for a consolation try 90 seconds from the end.The Red Devils finished a well-beaten side but they at least avoided the embarrassment of not scoring when Meli went over for a consolation try 90 seconds from the end.