WARRINGTON bounced back from their shock defeat at Hull KR last week with a resounding 37-18 victory over Leeds Rhinos to keep up the pressure on Super League leaders Wigan.
Playing in a special kit in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of former player and coach Paul Darbyshire, the Wolves showed little charity to the Rhinos.
In wet and windy conditions the Wolves blew the Rhinos away in the first half as they raced into a 30-0 lead playing fast open rugby which made a mockery of the weather.
The Wolves raced into an 18-0 lead after just 10 minutes and led 24-0 inside the first quarter.
Full-back Brent Webb gifted the Wolves the opening try in the first minute as he slipped attempting to field Chris Riley’s grubber kick as the pacey winger handed Trent Waterhouse (pictured top) the score.
Then Waterhouse’s tackle on Jamie Peacock four plays after the kick-off forced a knock-on inside the Leeds 20 and Riley got in at the corner.
The Rhinos lookled on course for a hammering when Gareth O’Brien slid onto play maker Lee Briers’ kick under the posts and their problems went from bad to worse as Webb was carried from the field.
The game was virtually over as a contest when Briers’ reverse kick was brilliantly touched down by O’Brien and Brett Hodgson’s fourth goal made the score 24-0.
Before the half hour Riley had his second try after the impressive O’Brien burst through the defence and raced 40 metres.
The rest of the game was a more even contest, but the damage was done.
Robb Burrow’s short pass put over Kevin Sinfield just before the interval and the scrum-half’s brilliant break from the back of a scrum and Sinfield’s second goal cut the deficit to 18 points shortly afterwards.
Making sure there was no repeat of last week’s defeat at Hull KR, Briers nudged Warrington four scores ahead again with a drop-goal, but Burrow’s second converted try from Brett Delaney’s powerful run again cut the deficit.
It was left to Ryan Atkins to force his way over in the corner to finally snuff out Leeds’ resistance with O’Brien adding the extras.
Wolves boss Tony Smith was pleased with the way his team started but admitted there were a “few skeletons in the closet” after last week’s second half shocker at Hull KR.
He said: “We didn’t manage the game very well the previous week and in the second half there were probably a few skeletons that we were still trying to get rid of and we became over-anxious.
“There was a little anxiety and we were may be trying too hard, but it’s all about learning and getting better and that’s what we are about as a club.”
He is pleased his side will now have a week off due to the Exiles game next weekend and believes Brett Hodgson should be fit to take part in the game after limping off in the second half.
“Brett feels quite confident he is going to be fine for next weekend. He didn’t pull anything, he just tightened his hamstring so as soon as we heard that we got him off.
“We will still be doing some work next week but I will just be grateful if all my players come back fit and healthy.”
Try Scorer Chris Riley
Play maker Lee Briers
Showing support in memory over former player Paul Darbyshire
