Super League: Warrington Wolves beat Salford Red Devils

Warrington Wolves piled the misery on Salford Red Devils with a 40-14 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, consigning the visitors to the Super League qualifiers.

Earlier on Thursday, Salford failed in their appeal against a six-point deduction for breaching the salary cap, and their day got worse with a thumping defeat to the Wolves putting a place in the Super 8s out of reach.

Junior Sa'u latched onto Robert Lui's grubber kick for the opening score, but, after Gareth O'Brien missed the conversion and a penalty against his former side, Warrington stormed ahead.

Joe Westerman levelled the scores before a double from Ryan Atkins sent the Wolves into half-time with a comfortable 18-4 lead.

Tom Lineham and Josh Griffin exchanged tries before Declan Patton – who kicked for 10 points – touched down his first of the season.

Lui went over after Matty Russell had extended Warrington's lead but it proved to be a mere consolation for the Red Devils.

Warrington now sit within one point of joint-leaders Hull FC and Wigan Warriors, who are still to play in this round.