Warrington made sure of a dramatic win in the final league game at the Halliwell Jones this season, thanks to a pair of George Williams’ drop-goals.
With one eye clearly on the playoffs which start in less than two weeks’ time, Steve Price rested the likes of Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Jake Mamo, while Daryl Clark, Joe Philbin and Danny Walker are all still recovering from injuries. This meant rare outings for the likes of Connor Wrench, Matty Ashton and Eribe Doro, while Matt Davis started at hooker, Blake Austin in the second row, Jack Hughes at 13 and Stefan Ratchford on the bench.
The away team opened the scoring through Super League’s top scorer Ken Sio after a well-worked move, but Ashton got Wire on the scoreboard after a Gareth Widdop kick deflected nicely into his path. Davis then went over from dummy-half to put Price’s men in front, and a nice move sent Josh Charnley across for a try to further extend the lead. Salford got themselves back into it before half-time when Sio pounced on an Ashton mistake, and they actually took the lead in the second half when Tui Lolohea got free. A Widdop penalty levelled the scores at 18-18 and Wire looked to have won it through a Williams drop-goal, but Lolohea responded with one of his own to send it to golden point - after Williams had a second attempt ruled out for an obstruction. Salford had first use of the ball after a shocking mistake from kick-off by Blake Austin but didn’t take advantage, and Williams nailed his latest attempt to make sure of a win for Wire. Here are my six talking points…
1) Georgey boy
"Here's to you, George Williams, Wire loves you more than you will know" rang out from the South Stand at the end of yesterday's match after Williams made yet another telling contribution to secure Wire the win. He had a decent game overall, getting involved in the hard work as well as the flashy stuff, and proved clutch when needed - nailing three drop-goal attempts, though only two of them counted. He's a player for the big moments who can change the game in an instant - in six appearances he has three drop-goals and three tries to his name already. I'd argue that Williams/Widdop is our best half-back pairing since Lee Briers and Michael Monaghan in 2009.
2) Red hot Currie
When it comes round to voting for Wire's player of 2021, Gareth Widdop will probably win by a landslide, with Chris Hill chasing his tail. I'd have Ben Currie right up there though, he has had an ultra-consistent season and has been really back to his best. This was another man-of-the-match display from the second rower, who rescued Wire when Salford looked certain to win in golden point, charging down to prevent defeat. He also came up with big plays earlier in the game including a one-on-one steal, a great offload to get Ashton away and an interception on his own line.
3) What a team
Given the nature of the 21-man-squad, I think most had expected to see a full-strength Wire team, with only Clark, Walker and Philbin missing through injury. However, Steve Price opted to name a much-changed, surprising lineup which featured Blake Austin in the second row, Jack Hughes at loose forward, Matt Davis at hooker and Stefan Ratchford on the bench, with Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Jake Mamo all rested completely. This bizarre selection made for a disjointed and clunky performance, which was to be expected. Sitaleki Akauola was down to start at prop but pulled up in the warm-up, to be replaced by young Eribe Doro. Tom Whitehead came in to replace Doro on the bench but never got on, disappointingly. It seemed that the two options for this game were to go full-strength, or make mass changes. Price elected to go for somewhere in between, which could prove costly after Davis and King picked up knocks.
4) An 'Ell of a player
Every time I see Ellis Longstaff, I am really impressed. He is tenacious, hard-working and also technically very good. I think we've got a really high-quality prospect here and I hope he continues to get plenty of gametime next year as he makes a difference every time he comes off the bench. With Oliver Holmes about to arrive and Ben Currie in great form, he's unlikely to start ahead of either, but can provide a great option from the bench. More on Jack Hughes later.
5) All roads lead to Old Trafford
Wire aren't playing brilliantly at the minute, but are showing a certain amount of character to grind out wins. Next week, we travel to Castleford in a must-win game for Daryl Powell's team - I'd hope that Price makes mass changes and plays a team made up of reserves and academy players - there's no point risking any injuries or suspensions ahead of the playoffs the week after, where Wire will play Cas again if they finish 6th. With a full team out, Wire will be far less clunky and more clinical when the big games come around... we hope.
6) Our dearly departing
With it being the last home game of the league season, we had plenty of farewells at the end of the match. Head coach Steve Price and his assistants Lee Briers and Andrew Henderson said goodbye, while former captain of the club Chris Hill as well as long-serving players like Tom Lineham were presented to the crowd, as well as more recent recruits Blake Austin, Jake Mamo, Sitaleki Akauola. I have mixed feelings on these departures - I'd have liked to have kept Hill and maybe Lineham, while if the decision was being made now, Mamo would surely be retained. Austin and Akauola have both shown flashes but haven't been consistent, while Price's reign at Wire has been okay, but nothing more, and it is to be expected that Briers and Henderson wouldn't stay. As both Price and Briers said at the game yesterday, there's one more job to do and a win at Old Trafford would be the perfect ending for these players and coaches.
Player Ratings
Matty Ashton - 3/10
Thought he really struggled. Messed up one attack with an abysmal ball to King and was at fault for Sio's second try.
Josh Thewlis - 7/10
Impressed again. Very solid defensively and works so hard.
Toby King - 6/10
Very hard-working performance after picking up a knock early on. Some really strong carries.
Connor Wrench - 5/10
Can't say I really noticed him, Wire were very quiet down that flank all game.
Josh Charnley - 6/10
Thought he had a decent enough game, scored a try and had a few quality carries, should've scored another in the second half though.
George Williams - 8/10
With such a clunky team wasn't able to sprinkle much magic through the game but came up with game-winning drop-goals twice and was hard done by to see another one ruled out.
Gareth Widdop - 6/10
A quiet game in terms of attack but worked hard defensively as always.
Robbie Mulhern - 7/10
Some really good carries and a great one-on-one steal.
Matt Davis - 4/10
Struggled at hooker and played a few hospital passes, though did go over for a try.
Eribe Doro - 5/10
Did his best but not sure he's ready to be starting games at prop yet.
Ben Currie - 9/10
Excellent performance, one of the best players in attack and came up with some massive defensive efforts too.
Blake Austin - 5/10
In the unfamiliar setting of second row, had a largely quiet game and produced a dreadful error, allowing Salford's golden point kick-off to bounce out of play.
Jack Hughes - 7/10
Thought that was one of his best displays of the season and confirms my thinking that he should be at loose forward rather than in the second row.
Jason Clark - 7/10
Came up with some good plays and worked hard.
Ellis Longstaff - 7/10
Really impressed again, looks a real talent.
Stefan Ratchford - 6/10
Brought a bit of pace to proceedings in the unfamiliar role of hooker.
@ALooseWire
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