Wolves hit champions for 50 to go back top

WARRINGTON Wolves returned to the top of the Super League table with a comfortable 52-18 victory against struggling Leeds.

The Rhinos, rooted to the bottom of the table with just three wins this season, are a mere shadow of the team that won the treble last season and they were put to the sword by Tony Smith’s men.

Chris Sandow made a welcome return for the Wolves, and his presence enabled the likes of Stefan Ratchford and Kurt Gidley to thrive.

An error from the kick-off enabled Leeds to take the lead for their third successive game, Jimmy Keinhorst scoring on the left hand side.

But as they’ve done in their previous two games, the Rhinos squandered that lead. Gene Ormsby had a walk in at the corner, with Gidley converting for 6-6.

Leeds then enjoyed a sustained period of pressure on the Wolves line, with the desperate Warrington defence gifting repeat sets with last ditch intercepts.

But perhaps typical of Leeds’ campaign this season, they were unable to break through and were then hit with a double whammy as their opponents went up the other end and scored.

A superb break out of dummy half from Daryl Clark on the quarter hour mark got Warrington on the front foot, and with the defensive line broken and disorganised, Sandow’s pinpoint kick enabled Tom Lineham to run in and catch on the right.

Brad Dwyer dummied his way over to put Warrington in control, but Leeds were well in the contest at half time after Brett Ferres pounced on a lucky ricochet to score, despite replays suggesting he may have lost it in the process of grounding.

The visitors would have wanted to make a solid start to the second half, but it didn’t come.

A kick to the corner was knocked down by Ormsby for Ryan Atkins to touch down and then Ormsby’s second try put Warrington 28-12 in front.

Both teams were reduced to 12 men shortly afterwards, after Ashton Sims and Brad Singleton traded punches during a Wolves attack.

Ratchford got his name on the scoresheet by the hour, and the game was done as a contest at 34-12.

A Clark brace and a try for Gidley sent the Wolves past 50 and ensured they returned to the Super League summit in style.

During the half time interval past players from the Premiership winning team of 1986 who were guests of the club to mark the 30th anniversary of the historic achievement against champions Halifax gave a lap of honour with the old trophy.