WARRINGTON Wolves maintained their unbeaten start to Super League and
stayed top of the table with a battling 10-23 victory at Bradford Bulls in a game which saw Ryan Atkins score his 100th career try.
The Wolves rode their luck as the Bulls saw two tries chalked off by the video referee but put in a strong defensive performance to secure the points.
Bradford opend the scoring after just four minutes as Matt Diskin went over from close range after Lee Briers had failed to find touch with a penalty. Jarrord Sammut added the extras to make it 6-0.
On 12 minutes Briers was held up over the line and suffered a bad bang to the ribs and had to leave the field of play.
On 20 minutes Warrington’s pressure eventually paid off when Chris Riley went in at the corner, although Brett Hodgson’s looping pass looked suspiciously forward. Hodgson couldn’t add the extras making it 6-4.
A Sammut try on 23 minutes was chalked off for being offside from a charged down kick and three minutes later Michael Platt had an effort ruled out for a foot in touch.
Warrington soaked up more pressure and then scored just before the break when Stefan Ratchord sent Mickey Higham over by the sticks with Chris Bridge adding the extras to make it 6-10.
Just after the re-start Ryan Atkins raced 80 metres to score his 100th career try with Bridge again on target to make it 6-16.
Warrington soaked up plenty more pressure but Bradford couldn’t find a way through and then on 60 minutes Trent Waterhouse used his strength to reach out and score against the run of play. Bridge was again on target.
On 66 minutes the Bulls eventually breached Warrington’s resolute defence when Jason Crooks got in at the corner but Sammut couldn’t add the extras.
Lee Briers, who had returned to the fray, made sure for the Wolves with a drop goal on 66 minutes to complete the scoring at 10-23 although Ratchford had a late effort ruled out by the video referee.
