Wounded Warriors slay Reds

Wigan bounced back from their home defeat to Warrington with a 40-20 triumph over Salford.

Centre Darrell Goulding, who scored five tries for the City Reds during a loan spell back in 2009, led the way with a first-half double as the Warriors touched down eight times in all.

It means they have now won 12 win a row against Salford, who did actually lead 8-6 early on before conceding 24 unanswered points before the break.

Wigan, who were without Pat Richards and skipper Sean O'Loughlin, as well as the suspended Epalahame Lauaki, went ahead in the third minute when Goulding was put through by Harrison Hansen.

Hit back

The hosts hit back with two tries, Australian stand-off Daniel Holdsworth getting the first before winger Danny Williams touched down after 12 minutes.

From then on, however, Wigan dominated. Goulding scored his second try before livewire full-back Sam Tomkins got in on the act, firstly setting up Charnley before going over himself after being put through by Gareth Hock.

There was more misery for the Reds when centre George Carmont completed a sweeping move and loose forward Liam Farrell barged over.

Williams did have a try ruled out for offside but had Charnley been better with the boot, the Warriors would have been even further clear at half time.

Looked dangerous

They started the second half where they left off with Tomkins touching down after four minutes, this time Charnley converting.

But Salford always looked dangerous on the rare occasions they got into the Wigan half and a clever break from Williams sent Luke Patten storming in under the posts in the 55th minute to give Holdsworth an easy conversion.

Wigan's final try came when Matty Russell crossed in the corner on the hour mark with Charnley missing his fourth kick from eight attempts.

Salford had the last word when Welsh prop Jordan James ploughed over in the final minute and Holdsworth converted, but it was no more than a late consolation as they suffered a third loss at their new home in Barton.