Wolves suffer Grand Final heartbreak again!

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WARRINGTON Wolves suffered Grand Final heartbreak for the second consecutive season as they were out muscled 30-16 by Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.
Injuries to leading try scorer Joel Monaghan, (pictured top celebrating his try) who was stretchered off with a neck injury just before the break and full-back Stefan Ratchford early in the second half, proved pivotal as the Wolves led 16-2 after half an hour.
Without their two key players, it was almost one way traffic in the second half.
The blood and thunder encounter got off to a bruising start in the first minute as Ben Westwood didn’t miss as he punched Blake Green in the face, with the incident going on report.
With defence son top in the early exchanges Wigan opted for the two points when Micky Higham was penalised for a ball steal and Pat Richards made no mistake with the long range kick.
But on 20 minutes a trade mark kick by Lee Briers saw Monaghan out jump Richards to touch down for a fine try. Ratchford couldn’t land the extras from out wide but the Wolves were in front 4-2.
Wigan then kicked out on the full and were instantly punished as Higham sent Simon Grix over with a short pass and Ratchford made no mistake to put the Wolves in front 10-2.
With the Wolves now in total control a short pass from Briers sent Westwood over and Ratchford converted to make it 16-2.
But then came the major turning point as Monaghan (right) suffered a neck injury defending his line. After a lengthy delay Wigan caught Warrington cold from the re-start as Sam Tomkins sent Darrell Goulding over wide out. Richards couldn’t land the extras making it 16-6 at the break.
The game then swung Wigan’s way as poor defending in the 47th minute saw Michael McIlorum ghost over with Richards adding the extras to close the gap to just four points.
Then on 51 minutes Ratchford suffered a knee injury in a crunch tackle and had to limp from the pitch and within a minute Wigan hit the front as Goulding kicked through for Josh Charnley to race around Warrington’s makeshift and tiring defence. Richards converted from wide out to give Wigan a 16-18 lead.
Warrington were clearly tiring as Wigan rubbed the salt in the wounds on 64 minutes through Blake Green and a walk over try for Richards on 73 minutes, with Richards goaling both to make it 16-30 and game over.
After the match Wolves’ bos Tony Smith said: “Our discipline was an issue big time! You can’t do that to Wigan. They are too good and were too good tonight and deserved to win.”
He confirmed that Ratchford looked to have ankle ligament damage, while although Joel Monaghan had been taken to hospital by ambulance, he appeared to be okay.


Try time for Bennie Westwood


Bloodied and bowed


Morley bids farewell to the Wolves


Wigan celebrate

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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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