NEW signing Chris Sandow was given a baptism of fire as Warrington Wolves crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season 49-10 at table topping Leeds Rhinos in the first round of the Super 8s.
The result left Warrington 6th in the table, four points off the all important 4th spot and facing a massive uphill struggle to have any chance of making the Grand Final.
With Warrington missing too many key players including Matty Russell, Ben Westwood, Ryan Atkins, Chris Bridge, Ben Harrison and Gene Ormsby, it was never going to be easy against a Leeds outfit seeking revenge for two previous defeats.
With Sandow thrown in at the deep end just seven days after stepping off a plane from Australia, Warrington got off to a flying start when Daryl Clarke broke clear to send Kervin Penny over, with Sandow quick off the mark to opening his scoring account with a relatively easy conversion.
But the lead was short lived with the hosts level on 13 minutes as Callum Watkins went over from a quick play the ball from Kevin Sinfield who added the conversion.
With Leed gradually taking control they took the lead on 21 minutes when Sinfield fired out a long pass to send winger Tom Briscoe in for a walk over try in the corner. Sinfield couldn’t find the target making it 10-6.
The Rhinos went further ahead on 31 minutes when man-of-the-match full-back Zak Hardaker tore through the Warrington defence to go under the sticks, with Sinfield on target to make it 16-6.
Just before the break a sloppy forward pass from Sandow gifted Leeds possession from the scrum, which following a flowing move, resulted in a bizarre scrappy try for Danny Maguire, awarded by the video referee. Sinfield added the extras and then kicked over a penalty just before the hooter to make it 24-6 at the break.
Warrington needed to score first after the interval and did just that after Ratchford broke clear to send the supporting Penny over in the corner for his second try. Sandow couldn’t find the target from wide out.
But any hopes of a Warrington fight back were soon snuffed out when Hardaker sidestepped through the defence for a stunning solo try which was converted by Sinfield and at 30-10 it was pretty much game over.
The rampant Rhinos coontinued to flood forward with further tries from Joel Moon, Rob Burrow and Carl Ablett on his 250th league appearance, all converted by Sinfield who also popped over a cheeky drop goal.
Warrington now must regroup as they prepare to travel to 4th placed Castleford next Thursday, with no room for error if they are to have any chance of making 4th.
Sandow looks to off load to the supporting Clark – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Sandow hoists the ball – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Ratchford makes a break PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Kev Penny goes over for his second try PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Sandow took over the kicking duties PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Ashton Sims in full flight! PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Sims heading back down to earth! PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
LEEDS: Zak Hardaker; Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall; Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire; Mitch Garbutt, Paul Aiton, Jamie Peacock, Carl Ablett, Jimmy Keinhorst, Adam Cuthbertson. Subs: Brad Singleton, Brett Delaney, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai.
WOLVES: Stefan Ratchford; Joel Monaghan, Toby King, Rhys Evans, Kevin Penny; Chris Sandow, Richie Myler; Anthony England, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Joe Philbin, Ben Currie, Chris Hill. Subs: Brad Dwyer, Roy Asotasi, Sam Wilde, George King.
ATTEN: 13,118
