Wolves work their magic over Vikings

WARRINGTON Wolves re-wrote the record books with a a 68-4 victory over

Widnes Vikings at the Magic weekend in Manchester with Joel Monaghan

(pictured above) grabbing five tries and Gareth O’Brien landing 10 goals in a one sided romp.
The Wolves showed no mercy as they racked up a point a minute in the first half to lead 40-0 at the break and although Widnes did respond in the second half scoring the first try, Warrington soon got back in the groove with some scintilating rugby, with strong running centre Matty Blythe getting his first career hat-trick.
It took just three minutes for Warrington to open the scoring after young forward Chris Hill forced the error as Lee Briers released Simon Grix who fed Ben Harrison to send Blythe over wide out. O’Brien kept his cool to land a superb conversion from out wide.
Two minutes later Widnes gave away a penalty as Ben Cross stiff armed Garreth Carvell, who promptly responded by bulldozing his way over the line, taking Cameron Phelps with him. O’Brien was again on target.
On 11 minutes the Wolves quickly turned defence into attack as Joel Monaghan and Matty Blythe (pictured right) launched a fine counter attack, which Monaghan finished off in the corner. O’Brien couldn’t add the extra this time as the Wolves led 16-0.
Widnes were held up over the line and the Wolves again quickly turned defence into attack as Ryan Atkins strode through a non-existent defence. O’Brien was again on target to make it 22-0.
The game was over as a contest on 22 minutes when a high bomb by Briers was collected by Monaghan who out jumped the Widnes defence to score a fine try. O’Brien landed another fine conversion to make it 28-0.
From the re-start the impressive Stefan Ratchford sliced through the Widnes defence sending Monaghan over for a first half hat-trick with O’Brien again on target.
On 28 minutes Widnes again dropped the ball allowing Blythe to pick up the ball and race under the sticks from 45 yards with O’Brien again adding the extras to make it 40-0 at the break.
That completed the scoring for the first half witht he Wolves running in seven tries without reply.
Widnes showed some fight at the start of the second half and were rewarded when Kurt Haggarty tapped a quick penalty and caught the Wolves defence napping as he touched down but Rhys Hanbury couldn’t add the extras.
Warrington soaked up some more Widnes pressure but eventually got back in the groove on 59 minutes when a great back pass from Blythe was finished off by Monaghan who grabbed his 4th try. O’Brien added the extras to make it 46-4.
Widnes kicked out on the full and from the resulting attack Blythe completed his hat-trick thanks to a great pass from Briers and O’Brien goaled.
The Vikings again kicked out on the full and were once more punished by the Wolves as Briers sent Ratchford over. O’Brien slicked an easy chance wide making it 56-4.
From the kick off the Wolves again romped forward with Grix sending Ben Currie over from half way with O’Brien scoring from in front to make it 62-4.
The as the hooter sounded Warrington re-wrote the record books as Monaghan out jumped the Widnes defence to score in the corner, for a record breaking Magic weekend 5th try, while O’Brien kept his cool to land a terrific record breaking 10th conversion.
The score line was also a record breaker beating the previous best held by Warrington from 2010 when they defeated Salford 68-16 at Cardiff.