Round 8
Salford City Reds 32 l. Warrington Wolves 34

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Briers the difference as Wolves edge out Reds in thriller
Sat April 7, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Warrington Wolves put their injury problems to one side to register a thrilling victory over Salford City Reds at the Willows.

Despite having six first-teamers ruled out through injury and also missing the suspended Ben Westwood they did welcome back inspirational captain Lee Briers, whose goal-kicking eventually proved vital for his side.

Both sides scored six tries but Briers landed five goals from six attempts compared to John Wilshere's four for the Reds.

Warrington's New Zealand prop Paul Rauhihi was also in inspirational form as his two tries helped his side to victory.

The giant Kiwi has been showing his international form once again this season after an injury-plagued campaign last year and he was a man-mountain for his side that the Reds struggled to handle.

His first try showed him use all his power when he crashed over from close range in the first half and he then went on a rampaging 25-metre touchline dash to grab his second at a vital stage of the game midway through the second half , giving his side a 22-18 advantage.

Warrington pushed on from that moment and further tries from Mike Wainwright and Andy Bracek, both converted by Briers, put them in control at 34-18.

But in a sensational ending Salford grabbed three tries in the final five minutes through Stuart Littler, Daley Williams and David Hodgson, but Wilshere could only add one conversion and the Wolves held on for victory in a breathless finale as time ran out on the Reds.

Salford led 12-10 at half-time as Wilshere and Luke Robinson grabbed tries for the home side, both converted by Wilshere with Warrington replying through Rauhihi and Brent Grose.

Warrington edged in front five minutes after the restart when Henry Fa'afili went over and Briers converted.

But back came the Reds and a super individual try from Luke Dorn and Wilshere's goal edged their noses back in front before Rauhihi's second put the Wolves back on the road to victory.

Salford City Reds (12) 32
Tries: Wilshere, Robinson, Dorn, Littler, Williams, Hodgson
Goals: Wilshere 4

Warrington (10) 34
Tries: Rauhihi 2, Grose, Fa'afili, Wainwright, Bracek
Goals: Briers 5

Salford City Reds: Hodgson, Williams, Wilshere, Moule, Turner, Dorn, Robinson, Korkidas, Berthezene, Highton, Littler, Coley, Finnigan.
Replacements: Adamson, Brocklehurst, Jewitt, Haggerty.

Warrington Wolves: Reardon, Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Bridge, Grose, Briers, Clarke, Leikvoll, Mark Gleeson, Rauhihi, Wainwright, Harrison, Anderson.
Replacements: Barnett, Pickersgill, Bracek, Cooper.

Referee: B Thaler
Attendance: 6,177

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

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