Head coach, 49, had been offered the Hull job but stayed put this week and watched as his side produced a dramatic 17-12 win over Warrington who lose scrum-half Hayes to awful ankle injury
Paul Rowley insisted he’s “happy” staying at Salford – and even more so after this stirring win.
He had been in talks with Hull about their head coach vacancy earlier this week and was offered the job. But Salford announced on Tuesday their main man was staying put to the delight of fans. Rowley celebrated in the best way possible yesterday as Ryan Brierley’s 71st minute penalty try gave his side a 17-12 success against in-form Warrington.
Speaking about his decision for the first time, Rowley admitted: “The simple way of putting it is there was a respectful, mature decision between two clubs and that’s as far as it went. They and I came to the conclusion that I’m happy. I value happiness and we left it at that. There’s nothing more to say. It happens in every walk of life.
“Coaching is what I enjoy doing best and when players and staff get a reward like this [victory] at the end of the week, there’s nothing better. We were good today. It’s satisfying and we’ll enjoy some time together now. We’ll go for a beer or a cup of tea.”
Warrington saw young scrum-half Leon Hayes taken to hospital after a horrendous ankle injury but will still feel they should have won this. Salford led 11-10 at the break after Tim Lafai and Joe Mellor tries, Marc Sneyd nudging over a drop-goal just 84 seconds before the interval having also slotted a conversion.
James Harrison and George Williams scored first half tries for the visitors, Stefan Ratchford kicking a conversion. But Ratchford’s 55th minute penalty put Warrington back in front and that looked like it might be enough in a scrappy encounter. Frantic Wolves players immediately called for the stretcher after realising the severity of Hayes injury soon after.
The 20 year-old required gas and air and was stretchered off after lengthy on-field treatment. When play resumed, Toby King’s brilliant cover tackle denied Brierley on the hour mark, the Salford full-back fumbling stretching over the line. Two minutes later, Kallum Watkins somehow prevented Paul Vaughan grounding the ball at the other end.
Sneyd was narrowly wide with a monster penalty attempt in the 69th minute. But then Nene Macdonald broke down the right and kicked infield for Brierley who was denied the chance to touch down after being tackled by Danny Walker behind the goalline without the ball.
Referee James Vella awarded the penalty try with Sneyd converting and Wolves boss Sam Burgess admitted: “I don’t quite know the rules on that. I don’t know what they’re looking for. But it was a stop-start game. It didn’t get any rhythm. I wanted someone to break the game open for us. But it didn’t happen.
“I’m gutted for Leon [Hayes]. I’ve soft spot for him. He’s in hospital now waiting for scans and x-rays. It’s definitely a dislocation and probably fracture as well so he’ll be a long time on the sidelines. I’ve spoken to him on the phone. He’s in good spirits. He’s probably more disappointed with the loss which shows a lot about his character.”
