Salford Red Devils defied uncertainty over their existence to pull off a shock 25-12 victory over Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League.
The patched-up Red Devils, who face a winding-up hearing next week having been embroiled in financial turmoil all season, stunned the Wolves with a remarkable display of spirit and resilience at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Two-try Justin Sangare starred for the visitors – whose cobbled-together starting 13 featured seven loan players – while Jack Darbyshire and Tiaki Chan also scored.
Rowan Milnes converted all four tries and made certain of victory with a late drop goal.
It was only their third victory of the season and a humiliating defeat for Warrington, who were booed off the field with their play-off hopes in tatters.
Salford Red Devils were unable to fulfil one fixture this month and were thrashed 80-6 in another, having been hit by a raft of player departures.
Such is the unfamiliarity of their side, seven players wore a shirt number of 64 or higher, but they responded well to their passionate fans.
It had looked like another hammering could be on the cards when Wire opened the scoring after just three minutes.
Matt Dufty, restored by coach Sam Burgess after a recent disciplinary breach, carved his way through lackluster defence to touch down.
Yet the Wolves, who had overcome a difficult start when 20-year-old debutant Ewan Smith was forced off with a head injury in the first minute, failed to build on their fine start.
Much to the credit of Head Coach Paul Rowley, the Red Devils settled and looked a far more coherent team than had been widely anticipated.
They forced Warrington to backpedal when one of their latest batch of short-term signings, Jack Walker, burst through the middle.
The hosts were forced to drop out from under their own posts and moments later Darbyshire, recently drafted in from Leigh, ducked under a challenge to score.
Warrington then failed to deal with a high kick just after the half-hour mark and the ball ran loose for Sangare. The forward could hardly believe his luck as Wire stood off him anticipating a pass, allowing him a clear run to the line.
Burgess’ half-time teamtalk looked to have done the trick as Warrington hit back straight after the break.
Leon Hayes, playing his first match in 16 months after injury, flighted a kick to the corner and Jake Thewlis touched down. Brother Josh added his second conversion.
Salford, however, refused to buckle and regained the lead as they produced a fluent handling move and Sangare powered through some weak tackling to claim his second.
Things got worse for Warrington when Adam Holroyd was sent to the sinbin following a poor challenge on Nathan Connell.
Salford took advantage of the extra man to increase their lead as they moved downfield following a penalty and Wigan loanee Chan crashed over from close range.
Milnes, on loan from Hull KR, put the result beyond doubt with a one-pointer – much to the relief of the away support who travelled together in their sold out away section.
Salford captured their third win of the season – with more information found here.
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