Wigan Warriors 4-28 Salford Red Devils: Watson's men book first Grand Final appearance as fairytale continues

Peter Hanson

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Wigan Warriors 4-28 Salford Red Devils: Watson's men book first Grand Final appearance as fairytale continues image

Salford Red Devils did a number on Wigan Warriors to upset the odds and book a first Grand Final appearance with an outstanding 28-4 victory on Saturday.

Just a fortnight had passed since the Warriors defeated Ian Watson's side 18-12 in the opening round of the play-offs but a mixture of Salford's tenacity and Wigan errors left the Red Devils celebrating victory in the elimination semi-final and planning for Old Trafford.

History was against this season's surprise package in Super League, with Salford having lost to Wigan in four prior encounters in 2019 and managing just one win at the DW Stadium.

But Gil Dudson celebrated a 150th Super League appearance with a first-half try, while Joey Lussick and Lee Mossop touched down for brilliant Salford, who now face St Helens in the Grand Final on October 13.

 

Defending champions Wigan were perhaps still suffering from a hangover after being battered 40-10 by rivals Saints in their first attempt to reach the final and Liam Farrell was penalised early doors to set up Krisnan Inu to kick the first points of the match in the third minute.

Inu quickly slotted another two-pointer and ex-Wigan man Dudson muscled his way over after a fine counter-attack to score the opening try in the 14th minute.

Wigan lost the influential Thomas Leuluai to a head injury before half-time and Salford stretched the lead when Lussick dived over five minutes after the restart, the try confirmed after a check upstairs.

Another former Wigan player put the game beyond doubt when Mossop powered over and not even Bevan French's late consolation could take the shine off Salford's night to remember.

Peter Hanson