Match Report – Sam Powell Testimonial
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Salford Red Devils in pre-season.
- The game celebrated Sam Powell’s testimonial with Miski and French both scoring twice.
- FT | Wigan Warriors 32-4 Salford Red Devils.
Wigan Warriors celebrated the career of long term player Sam Powell, defeating Salford Red Devils 32-4 at the DW Stadium.
A full strength Wigan Warriors side took on Salford Red Devils Sunday in the final test of pre-season before the 2023 Betfred Super League gets underway in less than two weeks’ time.
The game celebrated the career of Sam Powell, who enters his 11th consecutive year of professional Rugby League since making his debut in 2012 and going on to win two Super League Grand Finals (2016 & 2018), a World Club Challenge (2017) and two League Leaders’ Shields (2012 & 2020).
Report
It was Bevan French who opened the points for the day, scoring on 6 minutes after some great work on the right wing from Jai Field, laying the ball to his fellow Aussie who charged into the space to score the try. Harry Smith then got his first conversion of the day to make it 6-0.
Salford went close to an immediate response shortly after, but Kallum Watkins was put into touch in the corner before being able to put the ball down.
Wigan were able to score again soon after, with Cade Cust slipping away from an onrushing Salford man, before laying it to Kai Pierce-Paul who touched the ball down. Smith then made it 12-0 with his second conversion of the match.
Salford did eventually make a breakthrough the Wigan line. Some quick passing from the centre making its way to Deon Cross on the right wing, who touched down for the visitors first and only try of the match. Sneyd failed to make the conversion however, leaving the score at 12-4.
French doubled his tally for the day only seconds before halftime, capitalizing on a sloppy Salford pass and racing 50 metres into the open space to score his second of the match, with Smith completing a hat-trick of conversions to make it 16-4 on the buzzer.
It was a quieter start to the second half, with both sides standing firm. That was until the 56th minute, where Jai Field latched onto a Cade Cust kick forward to score the Warriors’ fourth try of the game. Smith was then able to make his 4th conversion of the match to make it 24-4 to Wigan.
Abas Miski was able to score Warriors’ fifth try of the day on 65 minutes, receiving the ball on the right and charging over in the corner. Smith was unable to convert leaving the score at 28-4.
Miski added his second in similar fashion only two minutes from time, bundling his way over the line to touch the ball down, with Smith missing the conversion to leave the score 32-4.
Gallery:
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Bevan French, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Cade Cust, Harry Smith, Mike Cooper, Sam Powell, Ethan Havard, Kai Pearce-Paul, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.
Interchanges: Brad Singleton, Brad O’Neill, Junior Nsemba, Kaide Ellis, Joe Shorrocks. Logan Astley, Zach Eckersley, Willie Isa, Tom Forber, Jacob Douglas, Abbas Miski.
Tries: French (6′, 40′) Pearce-Paul (15′), Field (56′), Miski (65′, 78′)
Goals: Smith 4/6
Salford Red Devils: Ryan Brierley, Deon Cross, Kallum Watkins, Tim Lafai, Rhys Williams, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd, Alex Gerrard, Andy Ackers, Shane Wright, Ellis Longstaff, Sam Stone, Jack Ormondroyd.
Interchanges: King Vuniyayawa, Oliver Partington, Chris Atkin, Tyler Dupree, Amir Bourouh, Matt Costello, Ben Hellewell, James Greenwood.
Tries: Cross (33′)
Goals: Sneyd 0/1
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 3,846
