Salford’s Sam Stone scores dramatic golden point to see off Warrington

Sam Stone’s try in golden-point extra time secured a priceless victory for Salford Red Devils in the race for the final spot in the Super League playoffs at the expense of Warrington Wolves.

The two sides are now level on points with just two rounds remaining of the season. The Wolves are inside the top six only on points difference ahead of Salford, who kept their hopes of the Grand Final alive here in dramatic circumstances.

There was no splitting the pair after 80 minutes, with the scores level at 20-20. Stone’s try three minutes into extra time proved to be the difference and set up a fascinating final fortnight for both sides. One will make the top six; the other will probably miss out.

Salford led 12-6 at half-time with tries from Ben Hellewell and Brodie Croft, after Warrington had taken an early lead through Matty Nicholson’s try. The quality was lacking from both sides, however, perhaps given what was at stake.

The second half was certainly dramatic, though. Warrington levelled shortly after half-time when Ben Currie seized upon an error from Ken Sio to make it 12-12 after Stefan Ratchford converted, and he then kicked a penalty to move the visitors ahead by two. Croft then claimed his second to put the Red Devils back in front, with Marc Sneyd’s goal making it 18-14.

The drama only intensified in the final quarter. George Williams’s try and Ratchford’s goal put Warrington 20-14 ahead before a Sneyd penalty made it 20-20 and ultimately ensured the game would have to be decided by golden point.

Sneyd struck the post with a drop-goal attempt one minute into extra time but Salford held their nerve and a wonderful move freed Joe Burgess to the left, who provided the pass for Stone to score and reignite the battle for the playoffs heading into the final fortnight of the season.