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Reds’ happy return

Liam Chronnell
27/ 1/2005

Friendly
Salford City Reds 20
Wigan Warriors 16

IF Salford produce performances like this when they return from America, Karl Harrison will want to take his players there every week.

The Reds only arrived home from a 10-day intensive training camp in Florida last Thursday. And they started like they were still suffering from jet lag as Wigan raced into a 16-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes at The Willows on Tuesday night.

However, for the next hour Salford played some superb rugby, inspired by Luke Robinson playing against his old club, to run in 20-unanswered points and blow the visitors away.

Kevin Brown, Wayne Godwin and Harrison Hansen, son of the former Salford legend Shane, touched down inside the first quarter for Wigan.

But Kevin McGuinness' introduction helped spark the Reds into life. The Aussie stand-off sent Karl Fitzpatrick darting over and when David Hodgson won the race to Robinson's deft chip Salford were in the ascendancy.

Robinson capped a fantastic display with a try at the start of the second half, and Anthony Stewart completed a morale-boosting win ahead of the two side's meeting on the opening day of the season when he went over in the corner.

• SALFORD: Fitzpatrick, Stewart, Littler, McAvoy, Hodgson, Beverley, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Sibbit, Baldwin, Charles. Subs: McGuinness, Haggerty, Dickens, Baynes, Brocklehurst, Clough. Tries: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Robinson, Stewart. Goals: Charles (2).

• WIGAN: Brown, Dallas, Hansen, Wild, Carney, Orr, Moran, Sculthorpe, Godwin, Davico, Hock, Tickle, O'Loughlin. Subs: Melling, Beswick, Coyle, Hargreaves, Prescott, Williams, Allen, Colbon, Tomkins. Tries: Brown, Godwin, Harrison. Goals: Tickle (2).

Ref: Karl Kirkpatrick.

Att: 2,182.