Wolves back on top!

WARRINGTON Wolves went back to the top of the Super League table with a stunning 39-12 victory over arch rivals and fellow title contenders Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
It was sweet revenge for the Wolves who turned the tables on the Warriors in a full blooded encounter following the Challenge Cup exit earlier in the season and can now clinch the league leaders shield at Hull next Friday night.
Delighted Head Coach Tony Smith was full of praise for inspirational Skipper Adrian Morley (pictured right) who returned from injury to lead from the front.
Smith also heaped praise on his youngsters Chris Riley, Matty Blythe, Mike Cooper and Lee Mitchell who he said all did a “terrific job” against the newly crowned Challenge Cup winners.
Warrington dominated from the kick off and were duly rewarded on 11 minutes when a towering bomb by Lee Briers was skillfully collected by Matt King who out jumped the Wigan defence to touch down in the corner. Chris Bridge landed a superb touchline conversion to make it 6-0.
Wigan had little time to regroup as the Wolves kept up the pressure as a Briers grubber kick bounced kindly for the cheeky half-back to scamper over by the posts giving Bridge the easiest of conversion attempts to make it 12-0 in as many minutes.
Warrington were clearly attempting to replicate what Wigan did to them in the Challenge cup as superb attacking play saw Richie Myler rip through the Warriors defence on half way to send the supporting Michael Monaghan over by the sticks, presenting Bridge with another easy conversion to make it 18-0 as the Wolves continued to pile on a point a minute.
Wigan’s controversial Sam Tompkins, who many felt shouldn’t have even been playing after his two fingered salute to Leeds’ fans at Wembley, bombed a great chance of getting his team back in the game after he broke clear only to make a mess of things as he miss kicked a loose ball.
Warrington instantly hit back as Wigan dropped the ball allowing Monaghan to race clear for his second try under the sticks, giving Bridge another easy conversion to make it 24-0 in as many minutes.
Wigan were given some hope when Paul Deakin burst through some uncharacteristic weak tackling by the Wolves, with Pat Richards’ conversion making it 24-6 on 28 minutes.
But the final score of the half belonged to Warrington with the majestic Monaghan landing a superb drop goal five minutes from the break meaning the Warriors would require four scores to get back in front.
With little likelihood of Wigan being ble to get back in the game after the break the intensity dropped slighly and it was 15 minutes before a scoring opportunity arrived as a clever kick by Briers was collected by Myler but his effort was ruled out for off-side.
But Warrington were not to be denied on 60 minutes when Briers was held just short allowing Jon Clarke to dive over from close range, with the video replay showing the ball just touching the line. A brawl errupted behind the sticks as Briers jumped on Tomkins who appeared to kick out at Clarke as he ground the ball, with both players receiving a talking to from referee Richard Silverwood deemed sufficient punishment. Bridge then slotted ovr the extras to make it 31-6 to the Wolves and game over.
A long range interception from winger Joel Monaghan rubbed salt in the Wigan wounds, with Bridge again adding the extras and Sean O’Loughlin’s late score for the visitors was little consolation, as Richards added the conversion.
Another brawl broke out in the closing minute as Gareth Hock clashed with Clarke, with the incident being placed on report.
Bridge landed the penalty to complete the scoring at 39-12.
After the match a delighted Tony Smith heaped praise on his players, especially “Captain fantastic” Morley and his youngsters who had stood up to the Wigan test.
With experienced Prop Paul Wood missing out against his home town club after picking up a back injury in training and Benny Westwood side lined with injury, alongside the suspended David Solomona and Mickey Higham, the Wolves were forced to make changes.
Smith said:”We had to make some adjustments and we did a pretty good job. We had to have a good start as you don’t want to play catch up rugby against a team like Wigan. Fortunately for us it was our day today.
“Things have been in our own hands for a while now and it is good that destiny is still in our own hands. But Hull are in good form and will have plenty to play for. But as long as we continue to concentrate and play good rugby league we have a great chance and will continue to take one game at a time!”