Warrington Wolves 32

Salford City Reds 18

GREAT defence has not been the hallmark of Warrington Wolves' season but one stunning tackle changed the face of Sunday's game.

New Zealand centre Toa Kohe-Love hit the headlines for his 90 metre try at Castleford a week earlier but his heroic try-saving tackle on Paul Southern put him under the spotlight at Wilderspool.

With the Wolves 18-10 behind one minute into the second period it was crucial Darryl Van de Velde's men kept their line in tact to stay in the hunt.

But prop Southern was galloping over the try line when Kohe-Love sprang up from nowhere and wrestled the big man to the ground without giving away the crucial inch that was needed for Salford's score.

Six tackles later the Wolves touched down through man of the match Andrew Gee and the inspiration had been provided for Warrington to complete their second half fight-back.

The Wolves, who defeated Salford 22-0 in the second period, defended strongly throughout and were rarely broken down.

Salford did find success with kicks and all of their first half tries came from bombs and chips, one from an awkward bounce, but two from kicks that the Wolves should have cleared.

Credit to Warrington though for not dropping their heads after falling behind.

The forwards, with Gee, Danny Farrar, Steve McCurrie and Tawera Nikau excelling, eventually took control allowing half backs Allan Langer and Lee Briers to take advantage against a Salford club claiming to have 11 first teamers missing.

Although it was far from a first class effort, it was a much improved display to the last outing at home against Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants a fortnight ago. The fans went home reasonably happy on this occasion.

Unusually, the Wolves were caught cold and fell behind after three minutes.

Winger Nick Pinkney shot between Wolves' Lee Penny and Will Cowell to regather Darren Brown's kick and touch down for a try which was converted by ex-Wire star Steve Blakeley.

An attempted Briers 40-20 was kept in play by Gary Broadbent but the full back's good work was wasted when Pinkney was superbly tackled into touch by Cowell. Wolves won the ball from the resultant scrum and Paul Noone was able to dart over out wide after dummying a pass to Cowell. Briers levelled the scores with the conversion.

The Wolves failed to cash in on another Briers 40-20 and Kohe-Love had a likely try ruled out for a forward pass by Penny.

Salford then went on to the attack and winger Mark Johnson crossed the whitewash after receiving a Broadbent knock back off Blakeley's bomb. Blakeley's goal addition made it 12-6 to Salford.

Wolves were back in it when Brown failed to hold on to the ball from a Briers grubber kick and McCurrie pounced in a flash to ground the ball. Briers was unable to convert.

Salford's third try from kicks came six minutes before half-time. Brown chipped the defence and the ball bounced back over the outstretched arms of Cowell and fell perfectly for Australian centre Jason Webber to dive over. Blakeley's third goal left the half-time score at 18-10.

Kohe-Love's superb wrestling throw on Southern was the crucial play at the start of the second half.

A Briers kick forced a scramble over the line and Gee got the magic touch. Briers' goal left the Wolves two points adrift.

The game remained in the balance but the Wolves had another possible Kohe-Love try ruled out for a McCurrie forward pass.

It was third time lucky for Kohe-Love when he got on the end of a McCurrie off-load and stretched out off James Smith's tackle to score and put the Wolves ahead for the first time. Briers goaled from wide out for a 22-18 lead.

Two minutes later Briers broke clear down the middle, handed on to Langer and the Wolves' skipper fed McCurrie for his second try and a 26-18 advantage.

A superb Langer blockbuster tackle forced Stuart Littler to knock-on. Wolves piled on the pressure and after a drop-out Knott charged on to a Langer pass to put Penny over. Briers' conversion completed the scoring.

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