Pictures Eddie Whitham
NEW signing Kevin Brown made a dream debut as Warrington Wolves became the first English club to beat Australian opponents since 2012 as they defeated Brisbane Broncos 27-18 in the first match of the 2017 World Club Series.
Brown was outstanding on his Wolves debut, scoring a try in the second minute fter great work by Joe Westerman.
In a whirlwind start further tries fromRyan Atkins and Matty Russell helped Warrington race into a 20-0 lead in as many minutes with Tom Lineham also crossing for a try before half-time.
The excellent Dec Patton added 11 points from the boot, while Corey Oates, James Roberts and David Mead replied for Brisbane.
Warrington got off to a flying start as Westerman raced 60 metres after charging down a kick and then fed Brown who darted over selling a dummy to the Broncos defence.
The Wolves were 20-0 up after 19 minutes as Atkins powered over from close range and then Russell showed great skill to evade three Brisbane defenders to score.
Oates went over in the corner for the Broncos but winger Lineham’s score in the corner helped build an 18-point lead at the interval.
Brisbane improved in the seocnd half as an 80-metre dash from Roberts gave the Australian side some heart, but Patton’s drop goal and a fifth successful kick from the tee established a three-score advantage which was rarely threatened thanks to some outstanding defence.
The visitors were clearly frustrated a stempers reached boiling point with a couple of brawls.
A delighted Head of Coaching and Rugby Tony Smith praised his team’s all round good effort.
Warrington: Gidley; Russell, Evans, Atkins, Lineham; Brown, Patton; Cooper, Clark, Sims, Hughes, Savelio, Westerman.
Replacements: Westwood, Livett, Philbin, Dwyer.
Brisbane: Boyd; Oates, Roberts, Kahu, Mead; Milford, Hunt; McGuire, Gillett, Thaiday, Ofahengaue, Ese’ese, McCullough.
Replacements: Glenn, Pangai Jnr, Arrow, Fai.
Dacia World Club Series
Warrington Wolves (24) 27
Tries: Brown, Atkins, Russell, Lineham Goals: Patton 5 Drop-goal: Patton
Brisbane Broncos (6) 18
Tries: Oates, Roberts, Mead Goals: Kahu 3
