WARRINGTON Wolves did what was required of them at Salford Red Devils on Friday evening - in terms of result at least.
Their victory at Super League's beleaguered bottom club means Sam Burgess' side have won back-to-back league fixtures for the first time since the end of March.
It also means that - at least temporarily - The Wire move to within a point of the top-six, with main rivals Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity both playing on Saturday.
However, it was a far-from-vintage display from Burgess' boys as they laboured to victory against a Red Devils side who belied predictions of another heavy defeat.
After Matt Dufty had crossed to give the visitors the perfect start, Salford stormed back and Ethan Ryan's try plus two Chris Hankinson penalties briefly edged them ahead before James Harrison touched down to send Warrington into the break four points ahead.
Hankinson again punished Wire's ill-discipline with the boot twice to bring the scores level moving towards the final quarter, but Josh Thewlis' try in the corner from Dufty's kick moved his side into a lead they would not relinquish.
Stefan Ratchford - playing in a new role as interchange hooker - made sure of the points with a late opportunist try, but Warrington will know they will need to be much better moving forward.
Warrington Wolves edge past Salford Red Devils - post-match reaction
> THE WRAP-UP PODCAST: A win is a win, plus chairman Q&A sneak peek
> KEY STATS: Errors and ill-discipline rife but a case for the defence
> THE MORNING AFTER: A win is a win, but this was alarming déjà vu
> Disappointment evident and attitudes questioned - Sam Burgess unhappy despite win at Salford
> What Sam Burgess has said about links to Dream Team centre
> Long-term injury concern for Warrington Wolves as centre limps off
> INSTANT REACTION: What's being said on social media after Wire's scratchy win
> Re-live all of the action from the Salford Community Stadium here
Match facts:
Super League, Round 17
Friday, July 4, 2025
Salford Red Devils...12 Warrington Wolves...24
Red Devils: Ryan Brierley; Ethan Ryan, Chris Hankinson, Esan Marsters, Nathan Connell; Jayden Nikorima, Danny Richardson; Jack Ormondroyd, Cain Robb, Chris Hill, Dan Russell, Toby Warren, Joe Shorrocks. Subs: Justin Sangare, Harvey Wilson, Charlie Glover, Tiaki Chan. 18th man: Kai Morgan
Wolves: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Connor Wrench, Jake Thewlis; George Williams, Marc Sneyd; Luke Yates, Jordy Crowther, Paul Vaughan, Sam Stone, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Ben Currie. Subs: James Harrison, Joe Philbin, Toby King, Stefan Ratchford. 18th man: Luke Thomas
Scoring: Dufty try, 8mins, Sneyd goal, 0-6; Ryan try, 23mins, 4-6; Hankinson penalty, 28mins, 6-6; Hankinson penalty, 31mins, 8-6; Harrison try, 34mins, Sneyd goal, 8-12; Hankinson penalty, 44mins, 10-12; Hankinson penalty, 52mins, 12-12; Josh Thewlis try, 61mins, 12-16; Sneyd penalty, 67mins, 12-18; Ratchford try, 73mins, Sneyd goal, 12-24
Penalties: Red Devils 7 Wolves 10
Sin bin: Brierley (79mins, repeated offending)
Referee: Liam Rush
Attendance: TBC
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