 Wigan full-back Ashton scored the first try of the match |
Salford: (2) 6
Tries: McGuinness
Goals: Wilshere
Wigan: (8) 25
Tries: Ashton, O'Loughlin, Calderwood
Goals: Richards
Wigan moved into mid-table with a comprehensive win away to second from bottom Salford in Super League on Friday night.
Wigan led 8-2 at the break thanks to a Chris Ashton try and two goals from Pat Richards, who landed six shots at goal in all.
Converted tries from Sean O'Loughlin and Mark Calderwood, plus a Trent Barrett drop goal, wrapped up victory.
Kevin McGuinness' late try was nothing more than a consolation for Salford.
Wigan took a two point lead courtesy of Richards's first goal after 10 minutes but Salford soon replied in kind through Wilshere.
It looked as though that would be the extent of the first-half scoring until Ashton latched onto Thomas Leuluai's kick through to score the first try of the match after 38 minutes.
 | 606: DEBATE |
Richards converted and added a goal soon after the re-start to make it 10-2 to the hosts.
Once they had their noses in front Wigan took full control and O'Loughlin and Calderwood both crossed for converted tries.
Luke Robinson nearly scored a consolation try for the Reds but he was ruled to have just lost control of the ball.
A sixth goal from Richards and Barrett's drop goal ensured Wigan pulled well clear, although Salford at least managed the last word as McGuinness crossed in the corner in the final seconds.
And Salford's night took a turn for the worse with the news that captain and hooker Malcolm Alker and second-rower Mark Edmondson face lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Alker has sustained knee medial ligament damage while Edmondson has another shoulder injury.
Salford coach Karl Harrison
"Our guys never stopped trying but it's just not happening for us at the moment. "We're not building any kind of pressure, which is disappointing.
"Wigan got the luck of the bounce in scoring the first try which proved conclusive in the end."
Wigan coach Brian Noble:
"It was a good win for us. We always knew it was going to be tough and so it proved. "Had we executed better in the first half, we could have been further ahead.
"The amount of opportunities we are creating is encouraging and we have started showing signs of fluency. Once we get some consistency, we will be a threat."
Salford: Hodgson, Williams, Littler, McGuinness, Wilshere, Dorn, Robinson, Highton, Alker, Korkidas, Edmondson, Coley, Finnigan.
Replacements: Brocklehurst, Haggerty, Turner, Jewitt.
Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Millard, Prescott, Hansen, Hill.
Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 