Wolves season review 2006
http://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/articles/2315/1/Wolves-season-review-2006/Page1.html
By Orbit News Ltd.
Published on 01/01/06 3:00 pm
More than 6,000 fans turned up to show their support at Halliwell Jones Stadium which could earn an estimated £50,000 for the former Wolves skipper, who is suffering from a neurological complaint.
The Vikings who were relegated last season, were more than a match for the hosts and came close to pulling of a second straight win over the Super League side in pre-season friendlies.
The National League outfit defeated Warrington in a Boxing Day friendly and would have done so again had they managed to convert a last gasp try.
Instead it was the Wolves who came out on top in a tight match after Lee Marsh was unable to add the extras following substitute Mick Nanyn's try.
The Vikings managed to forge a 12-10 lead at half-time thanks to scores from Mark Smith and Damian Reid, which Marsh converted.
Henry Fa'afili and Chris Bridge crossed for Warrington in the opening 40 minutes as coach Paul Cullen sent out a near full-strength team.
Paul Connor's try soon after the re-start pushed Widnes further clear but they were unable to hang on to the lead as they allowed Warrington back into the game.
Mark Gleeson's try was converted by Bridge to level the scores, who then put the Wolves in front with a drop goal.
Brent Grose appeared to have sealed victory for the home team when he crashed over, only for Widnes to battle back in contention in the final few minutes with Nanyn's effort two minutes from time.
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON stars of the past, present and future, turned out to show their support for former club captain Mike Gregory, who is suffering from a debilitating illness.
They were joined by more than 6,100 fans at a special Mike Gregory Trust Challenge when the Wolves narrowly triumphed 21-20 at the Halliwell Jones against near neighbours Widnes.
The event included the presentation of a rare Championship Medal donated by Harry Bath who is now aged 81 and living in Sydney, Australia. Harry and his wife Gwen, who spent nine "very happy" years in Warrington, where the ran the Britannia pub, sent the medal after hearing of Mike's plight through warrington-worldwide.
Both players had the honour of skippering the side and Harry, was eager to help 42-year-old Mike and his young family during their difficult times.
Harry, who collected 17 winners medals during his illustrious career, decided to donate one he won in 1947-48 with the Wire, to help the man who shared the honour of captaining Warrington.
He also parted with his only copy of a signed Wembley programme from the 1950 season when he skippered Warrington to a 17-0 victory over Widnes.
The Warrington team that day was full of "legends" including Moggy Palin, Gerry Helme and Brian Bevan.
Harry was eager for the Championship medal and Cup Final programme to stay at the club and now thanks to the fund-raising activities at the game, they have gone on show in a special display case which has been organised by Nobby Clarke Clarke, Chairman of the Past Players Association and Finance Director Neil Dowson on behalf of the Supporters Trust.
Harry said: "Warrington gave me the opportunity to win the medal and I believe it belongs in Warrington and I would like the medal to be able to do some good."
When his playing career ended, Harry, who lived in Grappenhall, moved back to Australia for a successful coaching career.
Pictures show Nobby Clarke from the past players association presenting a cheque to Mike at an earlier fund-raising event and former Wigan and GB star Phil Clarke with warrington-worldwide Editor Gary Skentelbery and Lord Hoyle during the presentation of the medal watched by former stars.
WARRINGTON Wolves were left red faced on the opening day of the season as they were completely out played and out gunned by a rampant Salford City Reds.
After watching his "big guns" lack any fire power a disappointed Warrington coach Paul Cullen admitted his side were second best and lacking in professionalism as they slumped to a 24-6 shock defeat.
The Wolves were humiliated in front of a crowd of nearly 11,000 at the Halliwell Jones and Cullen fumed: "I'm bitterly disappointed because we were completely outplayed from start to finish by a far more enthusiastic Salford side.
"The handling errors and lack of completion were the reasons we lost the game.
"Salford were far more efficient and far more professional and applied their game-plan far more religiously than we did.
"You've got to compliment Salford, but there were a number of really weak performances from the Warrington players. We've been outplayed in every department.
"There were some really weak individual performances and they have put their positions in doubt from day one!"
"The bottom line is that if you put the ball on the floor as cheaply as we did then any side - let alone one as determined as Salford - are going to cause you problems."
It was a happy return for former Wolves winger Jon Wilshere who scored two first-half tries for the Reds.
Expensive new Warrington signings Paul Rauhihi, Michael Sullivan, Stuart Reardon and Rob Parker all struggled to make any impact on their competitive debuts and the Reds were well worth their win. Salford quickly went ahead with neat handling from Andy Hodgson after Karl Fitzpatrick's bomb sent Wilshere in from close range.
Wilshere made his second try all himself, winning posession in midfield, darting through a gap in the Wolves line and outsprinting the cover defence to give Salford a 10-0 lead at the break.
The Wolves roared back briefly at the start of the second half, Lee Briers offloading for Martin Gleeson, who sent Henry Fa'afili charging over.
But on 53 minutes normal service resumed as Fitzpatrick chipped the ball cleverly over the defence, collected and offloaded for Hodgson to score. Worse was to follow for the wobbling Wolves as Hodgson added a penalty and then converted Junior Langi's close range score.
On this evidence Salford - themselves missing the likes of Luke Robinson, Chris Charles, Andrew Dunemann and Stephen Myler - could be the ones challenging for a play-off place.Picture shows new signing Paul Rauhihi and Logan Swann in action.
Picture courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
WARRINGTON Wolves count themselves more than unlucky to have lost this grimly contested game at the Galpharm Stadium.
Despite being without regulars, they were in front twice and believe right-winger Henry Fa’afili was injured by a Huddersfield water carrier just before the home side’s match-winning try.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen claimed Fa’afili needed treatment after being hurt knocked over and injured in a collision with Giants’ assistant coach Ben Cooper who had run onto the field with water.
As a result he struggled to get back to attempt to prevent Chris Nero scoring the crucial try.
Warrington has made a formal complaint, but do not expect it to change the result but the incident adds further fuel to the misgivings about the use of water boys.
Wolves took a 10-0 early lead and were also 16-14 ahead after 67 minutes and credit must be given to the home side for twice fighting back.
Scrum-half Chris Bridge opened the scoring after only three minutes, with Lee Briers adding the conversion and only four minutes Richard Barnett race over unopposed to touch down on his debut.
Huddersfield fought back, gradually gaining the upper hand and were able to draw level by half-time.
They went in front for the first time after 52 minutes only to see Wolves regain the lead after 67 minutes when Briers converted a second try by Bridge.
Both sides were reduced to 12 men when Ben Westwood (Wolves) and Wayne McDonald (Giants) were sin-binned for fighting.
Huddersfield went ahead through tries from Nero and Wild, both of which were converted and Wolves had to be content with a consolation try when Martin Gleeson sent Fa’afili over.
Afterwards, Cullen said he was encouraged by his side’s performance which, he said, was much improved on the defeat against Salford. But he conceded that there was “still a lot of work to do.”
A HAT-TRICK of tries from winger Henry Fa'afili helped Warrington record their first win of the Super League season with a 46-24 success over Hull.
But it was playmaker Lee Briers (pictured) who was the star of the show as he kicked Hull to death.
The Wolves looked to be heading for a hat-trick of defeats when they allowed the visitors to race in to a 14-0 lead.
However, the Wolves showed their teeth to bounce back from the early disappointment as they turned the games on its head with 28 unanswered points in the second half.
Hull's Danny Brough opened the scoring when he pounced on a loose ball near the Warrington line after Brent Grose had spilled Paul Cooke's kick.
The Airlie Birds second try also came courtesy of a clever kick early in the tackle count as Cooke spotted nobody at home at full back and prodded the ball forwards for Kirk Yeaman to score.
Brough converted both tries and added a penalty to put the Airlie Birds in complete control and on course of a repeat of their 2005 play-off win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Wolves got back in the match when Jon Clarke dummied his way though, but his effort was soon cancelled out when Yeaman grabbed his second. Back came Warrington as Lee Briers stepped inside two tacklers to cut the gap to eight, only for Hull to answer straight back again through Gareth Raynor as he beat Fa'afili to a high kick in the corner and ran 90 metres to score.
But Warrington's aerial attack finally paid off when Fa'afili outjumped Raynor to get his first of the night shortly before the break.
Hull led by just six at half-time and they soon saw their advantage disappear straight after the re-start.
Fa'afili's second try, which Briers successfully converted to level the scores as Warrington finally found a way through on their 20th successive tackle.
Birthday boy Mike Wainwright then put the Wolves ahead for the first time on the night as the 31-year-old made Nathan Blacklock pay for knock-on by crashing over on the left.
With Hull visibly rocked and on the ropes, the home side went in for the kill.
Richie Barnett somehow managed to get the ball down in the corner against his former club and Chris Bridge touched down soon after to finish the game as a contest.
Briers added a drop goal to rub salt in the visitors' wounds and then intercepted a pass from former team-mate Sid Domic to set Fa'afili up to complete his treble.
The Welsh international slotted over his sixth conversion and even managed to squeeze in a drop goal just before the end of a pulsating contest.Picture courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
words by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
WARRINGTON were made to pay the penalty for some costly first half mistakes as St Helens maintained their 100 per cent start to Super League XI and their dominance over the Wolves with an 10-18 victory.
Saints have lost just one of their 25 Super League meetings with Warrington and rarely looked like losing a closely-fought contest after the Wolves gave themselves too much to do with a shaky first half performance.
Scrum-half Sean Long launched a high bomb which Richie Barnett failed to deal with and Jamie Lyon took the catch and flicked the ball skillfully inside to Keiron Cunningham, who trotted over for his ninth try in 14 games at Warrington.
Warrington enjoyed plenty of possession and territory but failed to breach a rock-solid Saints defensive line, then almost inevitably they were hit with a sucker punch.
Francis Meli looked to be just relieving the pressure with a run out of defence, but his step inside forced Martin Gleeson to miss his tackle and the winger was away. He was caught by full-back Brent Grose but was able to off-load to the supporting Willie Talau, who sprinted clear to score.
Michael Sullivan dropped the ball in a promising position on the second tackle as Warrington looked to strike back, but they were fortunate not to concede another try just before the break.
Grose popped up the football deep inside his own 20 and Sean Long sent Paul Anderson trundling over, only for the score to be suprisngly ruled out for an alleged forward pass.
Warrington finally broke the Saints defensive line when Briers sent a delicate cross-kick dropping into the arms of Henry Fa'afili to score his 6th try of the season.
Saints hit back just before the hour mark when Lyon sent Ade Gardner crashing over in the corner.
The match swung once more on 62 minutes when Jason Hooper was sin-binned for a late hit on Briers and straight from the tap penalty the stand-off put Mike Wainwright over with a beautifully delayed pass.
The Wolves scented blood but they could not force their way over the line again and once Hooper returned it was Saints who finished the stronger, Lyon slotting a penalty to settle any late nerves.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen remained upbeat insisting his side could take plenty of positives from the game.
"We are very encouraged by the effort and over the full 80 minutes we were just one play short."
"That's a very good St Helens side who tested our defence and it held for the vast majority of the game.
"There's an awful lot of improvement left in this side yet because tonight went down to just one play over 80 minutes."Pictures show Martin Gleeson eyeing up his old team mates and substitute Michael Sullivan.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
WARRINGTON'S inspirational skipper Lee Briers put the boot in as the Wolves recorded their first ever Super League victory at Wigan.
In fact it was Warrington's first win at Wigan since 1993!
Briers put the boot in as the Wolves soaked up early pressure before going in 6-12 at the break thanks to tries from winger Ritchie Barnett and half back Chris Bridge. Briers weighed in with two great conversions.
In the second half Briers kicked four drop goals to seal victory.
Such a result was not on the cards after the home side had been in total control of the opening quarter of the contest.
With skipper Sean O'Loughlin back in the pack, Wigan made all the early running as they looked to get their season back on track.
It was debutant Bryan Fletcher who finally rewarded the Warriors' dominance when he accepted a short pass from Danny Orr to score just three minutes after coming off the bench.
Danny Tickle added the conversion to make it 6-0, only for Warrington to answer straight back with a try of their own with a rare foray into their opponents' half.
Briers' superb long ball out wide allowed Toa Kohe-Love to send in Barnett to give the vocal away support something to cheer about. Skipper Briers converted the first try and was on target again shortly before the interval after Chris Bridge kicked ahead twice and beat Brett Dallas to the loose ball to score.
A 12-6 half-time lead boosted the Wolves' confidence and they came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second 40 minutes.
Briers scored the first points of the half with his opening drop goal of the night and he then extended the lead by two more points with a penalty after he was taken out late by Wayne Godwin.
The hooker was sin-binned for his challenge as Wigan struggled to get back into the contest with only 12 men on the field. A pair of drop goals from Briers made it 17-6 and Warrington put the game beyond the hosts when Henry Fa'afili was sent free to cross on the wing. Briers added the conversion.
Wigan did manage to grab a late consolation score through Wayne Godwin, although it was rightly Briers who had the last laugh when he slotted over his fourth drop goal in the dying seconds.
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves will quickly have to learn there are no "easy" games in Super League after being left red faced by lowly French newcomers Catalans Dragons.
Despite scoring first when Jon Clarke strolled through a gaping hole in the visitors defence, the Wolves soon found themselves trailing 6-16.
Four tries without reply, the first just before the interval, should have seen the Wolves get out of jail. But they again took their foot off the gas and allowed Les Catalans to snatch a dramatic victory.
"We carried too many individuals tonight who have let us down very badly.
"You could see from the first set that we were going to play soft."
After heavy back-to-back defeats at home to Bradford and Leeds, the Dragons were given little chance of upsetting the odds against a Warrington side still on a high after their historic win at Wigan.
However, the form book was thrown out of the window in a see-saw game that could have gone either way.
It appeared Warrington would be picking up the two points when three tries at the start of the second half put them in control. But the Dragons refused to be beaten and Adel Fellous' try on 71 minutes was converted by Michael Dobson to ensure the small section of travelling supporters would be heading home happy.
Clarke's opening try from close range was converted by Lee Briers but it did not dampen the Dragons' spirit, as they drew level when winger Justin Murphy got on the end of Gregory Mounis' kick to grab his first of the night.
Dobson converted from the touchline and, buoyed by their efforts, Les Catalans shocked the hosts with two tries in a seven-minute spell. Thomas Bosc finished off a flowing move to go in for the first and that was soon followed by a try from substitute prop Lionel Teixido.
A second successful kick from Dobson put them 16-6 up and they looked set to go in with a comfortable cushion at the break until Chris Bridge slipped through their defences to score. That try at the end of the opening 40 minutes boosted the Wolves' confidence and they raced into the lead after the re-start.
Martin Gleeson's quick pass sent Henry Fa'afili over on the right for the winger's eighth try of the campaign.
Ben Westwood crossed soon after and when Toe Kohe-Love danced through to score, Warrington looked likely to run away with the game.
However, led by the excellent Julien Rinaldi, the Dragons climbed off the canvas to claim an unlikely victory. Murphy galloped in 40 metres to complete his brace and when Fellous barged his way over from close to the line the scores were level.
Dobson, a recent signing to replace the injured Stacey Jones, held his nerve to slot over his fourth conversion and gave Les Catalans an historic first away victory.Pictures show (top) Henry Fa'fili in full flight (Picture George Thornton) and Chris Bridge taking on the Catalans defence.(Picture Neil Ashurt)
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com & George Thorton
by Gary Skentelbery
FOUR former Warrington legends have been inducted into a special hall of fame.
Former scrum-half Parry Gordon, who starred for the Wire in more than 500 games scoring 167 tries and one goal, was on hand to receive his award from Warrington Past Players Chairman Nobby Clarke, during a special sportsman's dinner at the Tetley Walker Club in the town.
The event, hosted by another Wire great, Kevin Ashcroft, raised more than £1,600 for the Past Players Association. Guest speakers were England and Derbyshire cricketer Geoff Miller, now an MCC selector and comedian Trevor Wallis from Westhoughton.
Fundraising included a raffle of various items included a signed photo of England Rugby Union star Fran Cotton, donated by another Wire legend Mike Nicholas.
Joining Parry, who starred for the Wire from 1963 to 1981 in the hall of fame, were Albert Naughton, the tough tackling centre signed from Widnes in 1949 for a then world record fee of £4,600 and George Thomas, a Welsh forward who was signed from Newport in 1903 and holds the record for the most points scored by a forward, when he scored 33 from five tries and nine goals against St Helens in 1909. He was tragically killed in action on the Somme in 1916 aged just 35.
The fourth place went to Mike Gregory who skippered club and country before moving on for a successful coaching career. It is hoped to arrange a special presentation to Mike at the Halliwell Jones at a later date.
Parry (above right) is pictured receiving his award from Nobby watched by Geoff Miller.
By Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves produced one of their greatest ever second-half fightbacks to snatch a dramatic 22-21 at Wakefield.
Young half-back Chris Bridge was the hero for the Wolves with two tries and three conversions to help his side climb off the canvas after finding themselves 21-0 at the break. His performance overshadowed that of Trinity's Jamie Rooney, who had been the star of the show in the first 40 minutes as the Wildcats built up a commanding lead.
Warrington made a promising start to the match but it was Wakefield who took the lead against the run of play thanks to Semi Tadulala's try. Rooney added the conversion and, after slotting over an easy penalty, went on to grab two tries of his own in the space of six minutes.
Both conversions were on target from Rooney, who finished the half with a drop goal to take his personal tally to 17 points.
Yet such a commanding half-time lead wasn't enough for the home team as they crumbled under relentless Warrington pressure in the second half.
Toa Kohe-Love's early try after the re-start set the nerves jangling amongst the home fans, even when Lee Briers managed to miss the easy conversion.
When Bridge danced his way to the line and then converted his own score, Warrington suddenly found themselves trailing by just 11 with a quarter of the match still to go.
Logan Swann crashed over from close range to cut the gap even further and Bridge, taking over the kicking duties from Briers, converted the score.
After being so dominant before the break, Wakefield barely managed to get out of their own half and it was no surprise when Bridge grabbed the all-important fourth try for the Wolves as he managed to ground Briers' well-weighted grubber kick.
With the pressure on, the former Bradford Bull held his nerve to slot over the extras to complete a remarkable comeback.Pictures show Rob Parker being brought to his knees and Jon Clarke looking to off load.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
By Sport staff
WARRINGTON Wolves showed no mercy as they powered past National League Two side London Skolars 52-0 with a 10 try romp at the Halliwell Jones in the Powergen Challenge Cup.
The Skolars were playing their first game against Super League opponents, and drew a blank as the Wolves made eight changes as Head Coach Paul Cullen rested a number of his senior players. But the youngsters made the most of their opportunity by piling on the points.
Teenage winger Chris Riley helped himself to two tries while fellow 18-year-old Ben Harrison and Andy Bracek, 19, were also among the try scorers.
Richie Barnett, Chris Bridge and Stuart Reardon all touched down, along with Mark Gleeson, Danny Lima, Steve Pickersgill and Michael Sullivan, as the Wolves went past the half century mark.
After the match skipper for the day Paul Noone said: "We stuck to our game plan and a win is a win.
"It is the first time I have played against a team and didn't know any of the opposition. But they were big lads and played brilliantly. We've got a good squad of 26 players here and it was good to see some of the younger lads get a chance."
Full-back Brent Grose was taken off as a precaution after "tweaking" a ham-string. It allowed Simon Grix to make his first team debut after coming back from a serious ankle injury.Pictures show Ben Westwood bursting through would be tacklers and Danny Lima leaving two defenders in his wake.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery
A DELIGHTED Wolves Coach Paul Cullen hailed Warrington's victory at Bradford the best performance of their campaign as they out muscled the Bulls in the Odsal mud bath.
It was Warrington's third consecutive victory over the Bulls and the second at the home of the world club Champions and Super League title holders.
"It was a great team effort in very difficult conditions," said Cullen. "It has to be our best performance of the season.
"It's always a very difficult place to compete, let alone win but we're very proud of the fact that we completed back-to-back wins over Bradford and now that's three which is a very impressive record."
Warrington were inspired by a man-of-the-match performance by skipper Lee Briers whose goal-kicking was the difference between the two sides.
The half-back produced a sterling all-round showing, typified by a crunching tackle on Bradford's powerhouse winger Lesley Vainikolo.
Cullen was full of praise for Briers, saying: "Lee Briers against Lesley Vainikolo is not usually an even contest but physically and mentally he stood up today, as he does on the vast majority of occasions."
The Bulls twice held the lead early on through a Karl Pryce double. Lesley Vainikolo almost opened the scoring in the first minute but was adjudged not to have grounded the ball having raced on to a chip-kick. The Bulls weren't to be denied for long and drew first blood when Pryce was presented with a simple chance to pick up and score after Henry Fa'afili failed to collect a kick from Paul Deacon.
Warrington bounced back when former Bull Chris Bridge collected a Briers kick to touch down under the posts. Briers added the extras to edge the visitors ahead.
But another defensive blunder from the Wolves allowed Bradford back with Paul Wood spilling Paul Deacon's kick-off on his own try-line.
They looked to have seen out the set of six, but Pryce produced a great pick-up on the half-volley to collect and cruise over in the corner.
Woods made amends for his blunder on 20 minutes with a try of his own ashe powered over from close range thanks to a smart off-load from Logan Swann - Briers' conversion gave Wolves a four-point advantage.
It was a lead they were to extend ten minutes later when Martin Gleeson showed good strength to burst through and past the tackle of full-back Michael Withers to score behind the posts.
With Briers adding another successful kick, the Wolves went in at the break 18-8 to the good. The Bulls needed a fast start to the second period and they got it. Deacon looked like he would score but, when he was pulled down just short, the ball was spun out to Joe Vagana who bulldozed his way over despite the best efforts of Michael Sullivan.
The Odsal crowd clearly expected their side to go on and win from there, but Warrington once again refused to lie down and man-of-the-match Briers inspired another try.
The half-back intercepted a long pass from Deacon and burst clear. With his legs fading he offloaded to Fa'afili who was brought down just short. However, with the Bulls scrambling to get back, Briers picked up at the play-the-ball and waited before cleverly sending in Fa'afili who slid into the corner from a couple of yards out.
Bradford set up a grandstand finish when they took advantage of three quick penalties conceded by Warrington. It allowed them deep into Wolves territory and Iestyn Harris spun the ball out wide to namesake Ben, who dived over to cut the lead back to four with a quarter of an hour remaining. But the Wolves held on for a famous victory.Pictures show Martin Gleeson scoring his first try of the season, Paul Rauhihi taking on the Bradford defence and a delighted Paul Cullen.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
SKIPPER Lee Briers proved to be the match winner as he re-wrote the record books with yet another man-of-the match performance as the Wolves mauled the Tigers 6-64.
The inspirational half-back, who is knocking loudly on the Great Britain selectors door, was in oustanding form as the Wolves re-wrote the record books at the Jungle - inflicting a club record defeat on the hapless Tigers, while also setting a club record away win.
Briers also weighed in with a club Super League record equalling 10 goals and a try for good measure as he master-minded a stunning victory.
It was in stark contrast to the Good Friday clash with Salford at the Haliwell Jones as the visitors recorded a 6-26 victory. With Briers missing through injury, the Wolves could not open up the visitor's defence and were caught on the break with all the points coming in the first half.
Winger Henry Fa'fili scored the Wolves only try and continued his impressive scoring run with two more tries at Castleford.
Meanwhile opposite winger Stuart Reardon looks to be recapturing the kind of form which saw him in the Great Britain line-up, as he pulled off two stunning try saving tackles against Salford and added a third at Castleford. Aussied scrum-half Michael Sullivan is also starting to impress and was unlucky to be on the losing side against Salford.
Pictures show Sullivan and Parker in action against Salford on Good Friday when the visitors recorded their second win of the season at the Halliwell Jones.
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: Neil Ashurst
WARRINGTON Wolves completed a "double double" over Bradford Bulls, with their fourth consecutive victory over the Super League and World Club Champions.
Despite missing several keys players through injury, including former Bulls Chris Bridge and Toa Kohe-Love the Wolves were in rampant form as they ensured Steve McNamara had a losing start as Bradford coach with a stunning 27-4 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Wolves soaked up some fierce second-half pressure as they led 10-4 at the break and showed their stamina as pulled away in the closing stages to complete the double over their Yorkshire rivals who they also beat at Odsal two weeks ago, backing up last season's double.
Having opened up an early ten-point lead thanks to tries from Martin Gleeson and Ben Westwood, Warrington were made to work as Bradford came back with a Marcus Bai try.
But despite their best efforts, that proved Bradford's only score of the afternoon as Warrington eased clear in the final 10 minutes through scores from Paul Wood, Martin Gleeson and Lee Briers. Warrington assumed control after a hectic opening quarter-hour that saw two tries and two men sin-binned.
Bradford's Terry Newton was the first man to be shown the yellow card after just two minutes, although it was harsh on the hooker as Brett Ferres appeared to be the Bulls man who had caught Briers with a high shot.
The hosts needed no second invitation to capitalise on their numerical advantage with Briers sending over Gleeson for the opening score of the match.
Referee Ashley Klein soon levelled matters up when he sent Mike Wainwright to the sin-bin for preventing Bradford from making a quick restart.
It didn't affect the Wolves who extended their lead when Westwood raced on to a clever Briers kick to touch down under the posts, Briers added the extras.
Bradford did make some inroads into the deficit before the interval when Iestyn Harris flighted a pass out wide for Bai to power over in the corner.
Briers had chances to edge his side further ahead but failed with a penalty and a couple of drop-goal efforts early in the second period, but Warrington continued to produce some superb defence to keep their opponents at bay.
Briers finally relieved some of the pressure when he slotted a drop-goal at the third time of asking with 11 minutes remaining and that seemed to open the floodgates as Jon Clarke sent Wood over.
Minutes later Gleeson burst clear to surge in from 20 metres and Briers put a real gloss on the scoreline by crossing himself in the very last minute.Pictures show Lee Briers celebrating his try, and Martin Gleeson taking on the Bradford defence.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
WARRINGTON'S big guns are certainly firing on all cylinders as Prop Paul Rauhihi at last showed the kind of form which saw him help the Kiwis defeat Australia in the Tri Nations final.
Rauhihi was unstoppable as he capped a fine performance with a try and off-loaded the ball at will against the hapless Leeds defence.
Fellow new signing Rob Parker also continued to impress with a brace of tries while flying winger Henry Fa'afili raced in for a hat-trick of tries as Warrington moved up to fourth in the table.
Second placed Leeds started brightly enough with young winger Lee Smith going over in the corner after the visitors capitalised on a mistake from Richie Barnett.
However, it was all Wolves for the remainder of the half with the home side running in a total of five tries as as Fa'afili struck first going over in the corner for his 13th try of the season.
Just minutes later the rampaging Rauhihi collected Jon Clarke's pass before surging over under the sticks brushing off a weak Ryan Bailey challenge in the process.
Leeds had no answer to Wolves' attack and the impressive Jon Clarke burrowed his way over from close range shrugging off a poor tackle from Shane Millard.
Even at 16-6 up the home side maintained their intense pressure with Barnett making up for his earlier mistake by scoring in the corner following a sweeping move.
Leeds were looking to see out the remainder of the half, but a Chev Walker mistake conceded possession and with the visitors expecting a Lee Briers drop goal, Rob Parker burst through to score a super try.
The visitors pulled a try back shortly after the re-start when Burrow broke through the line before outsprinting Barnett for the four-pointer with the aid of the video referee.
Leeds could have added another on the hour mark when Gareth Ellis burst through the line, but with options available he was stopped by Rauhihi who also stripped the ball in a one-on-one challenge.
That was as close as the Rhinos came to mounting a fightback with Parker and Fa'afili's second tries of the game extending Wolves' lead to 38-10.
The Rhinos did pull one try back in the closing stages when McGuire dived over the line after a run from dummy half from Matt Diskin but Warrington had the final say with Fa'afili intercepting McGuire's ambitious pass to run unchallenged under the sticks to complete a fine individual performance.Pictures show Martin Gleeson off loading to Henry Fa'afili and Rob Parker touching down.
by Gary Skentelbery
INSPIRATIONAL Lee Briers was once again the architect behind a stunning Warrington victory - and one wonders what he has to do to catch the eye of Great Britain Coach Brian Noble.
Briers responded to being overlooked by Great Britain by leading Warrington to a 44-16 victory over Les Catalans, as he kicked the home side into submission as the Wolves wiped out the memory of their shock home defeat to the Dragons back in round six.
That defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is the only reverse Warrington have suffered in their last six outings and they looked in no mood to be beaten again by the French outfit.
But victory came at a price with the loss of forward Rob Parker with a shattered cheekbone.
Parker was rushed to hospital with a fractured cheekbone and is likely to be out of action for at least six weeks.
Haed Coach Paul Cullen said: "The trip to France has been outstanding for us with the exception of a serious injury to one of our players. Rob Parker has a very nasty shattered cheekbone and could be out for six to eight weeks, although that is an estimate at this moment in time."
Meanwhile Briers, who is now the league's top points machine, certainly appeared to have a point to prove after missing out on international recognition when he wasn't named in a 36-man GB party for the June test against New Zealand.
He set up the opening four tries for the Wolves and then grabbed one of his own in the second half to go alongside his eight successful kicks.
Brent Grose was the first to benefit from Briers' kicking skills as he gathered up a grubber kick on the left to open the scoring.
Mike Wainwright also got on the score sheet thanks to the skipper's boot and he then showed his ability with ball in hand as he dummied his way past two defenders to set up Logan Swann.
The Dragons did manage to score two tries of their own in the opening half to stay in touch. Justin Murphy and Jamal Fakir both finished off excellent moves to leave Mick Potter's side only six points down at the break.
But the second 40 minutes turned into one way traffic as the Wolves ripped through the home defence.
A Briers penalty got the scoring underway after the interval and then he displayed his excellent kicking game with a well-weighted stab through for Simon Grix.
Alex Chan found one way to stop the former St Helens player but his late hit only resulted in him being sent to the sin bin.
Warrington immediately took advantage of the extra man with Ben Westwood's excellent run giving Briers the chance to get the try his display deserved.
The forward also laid on a score for Paul Wood before going over himself from close range and not even a late consolation for the Dragons from Murphy could take the shine off another impressive Wolves display.Pictures show Lee Briers with Paul Rauhihi in support and Martin Gleeson taking on the Catalan defence.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON paid the penalty for some first half defensive blunders as they went down 34-22 to table topping St Helens.
But the brave Wolves nearly produced the greatest Super League comeback of all time as they pushed the Saints all the way in a pulsating second-half fight back.
Both teams were missing key players but Warrington looked to have blown the chance of their first ever Super League victory at Knowsley Road as Saints stormed into a 24-6 half-time lead with three quick fire tries before the break.
Having failed to defeat St Helens in their 15 Super League meetings, the chances of a turnaround appeared slim for a depleted Warrington line-up.
But inspired by skipper Lee Briers Warrington refused to give in and came close to completing an amazing turnaround with three second-half tries.
It was only when Ade Gardner intercepted a pass to go the length of the field for his second try of the match that St Helens could breathe a sigh of relief knowing they had survived an almighty scare.
Warrington started brightly enough grabbing the first try of the match as Michael Sullivan fought his way over the line after Mark Gleeson's darting run from dummy half.
The lead did not last long, though, as Gilmour pushed the hosts back in front with his first of the night when he claimed Sean Long's up-and-under on the left after out jumping Henry Fa'afili.
The 8-4 scoreline reflected that there was little to choose between the two teams, yet suddenly Saints blew the match wide open with a three-try burst in the space of seven minutes. Gilmour grabbed the first of the treble when he was left with a simple finish after a fine burst down the middle from substitute James Roby.
The former Wigan and Bradford forward could even have had a hat-trick just minutes later but he unselfishly chose to offload the ball for winger Gardner to canter over in the corner. After working so hard, Warrington suddenly found themselves in all sorts of trouble and it got even worse before half time. A huge hole down the middle of their defence allowed Vinnie Anderson to gallop over and, with Lyon slotting over his fifth successful kick, the Wolves went in at the break trailing 26-4.
Warrington did score first after the break through Fa'afili and, with Saints carelessly coughing up possession, Ritchie Barnett's try soon after suddenly gave them renewed hope of an amazing comeback. Briers' conversion meant the gap was down to 10 points and suddenly a mood of panic gripped the majority of the crowd at Knowsley Road.
The nerves certainly seemed to be getting to the players too, particularly Leon Pryce as he gifted Warrington a penalty try with a rash tackle on Barnett when the winger appeared likely to win the race to a loose ball over the try line.
A Lyon's penalty finally got Saints on the board in the second half and put a six-point gap between the two teams going into the final few minutes.
The Wolves bravely fought on but, in their attempts to find a try to level the scores and Stuart Reardon looked to be on his way to the line to snatch a draw but gifted an interception try to Gardner who raced the length of the field to clinch the two points.Pictures show Michael Sullivan opening the scoring and Mike Wainwright taking on the Saints defence.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON cruised into the quarter-finals of the Powergen Challenge Cup thanks to a business like 46-2 demoltion of National League One side Whitehaven.
Warrington went ahead after eight minutes against Head Coach Paul Cullen's former club when Jon Clarke and Lee Briers combined to hand Logan Swann the simplest of scoring opportunities.
Briers kicked the extras before a 30-metre penalty from Carl Rudd allowed Whitehaven to register their only points of the afternoon.
After two disallowed efforts Warrington went further ahead when a powerful run from Prop Danny Lima resulted in Paul Wood scoring emphatically under the posts.
Five minutes before the break Martin Gleeson scored Warrinton's third, with Briers subsequently making it three conversions out of three.
Then on the stroke of half-time Brent Grose powered over for a try again converted by Briers.
Some fine team work saw replacement Mark Gleeson score 10 minutes after the restart, with Paul Noone converting.
The visitors threw everything into pressuring their hosts, but their attempts to turn defence into attack ultimately proved futile when Clarke scored another for Warrington.
Briers converted before scoring himself on 72 minutes - his conversion attempt on this occasion rebounding off the post.
Michael Sullivan then sent Clarke through for his second score in the last minute.Pictures show Paul Wood in action (top) and Michael Sullivan taking on the Whitehaven defence.
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
SKIPPER Lee Briers was once again in magical form as he led Warrington to a comfortable 46-28 victory over Castleford Tigers.
And when he was taunted by the Castleford fans with chants of "You'll never play for Britain" he responded with a typical interception try to silence the terraces.
The match was over as a contest by the interval as Warrington, after a slow start which saw the visitors take the lead, stormed ahead 26-6.
Although the Tigers did make a fight of it in the second period, three more tries from Warrington, including Briers' magical interception, ensured they ran out worthy winners.
Castleford hit the front on eight minutes when winger Waine Pryce sent over Michael Shenton from close range - Craig Huby added the extras.
The Wolves hit back within five minutes when Henry Fa'afili did well to touch down in the corner and they moved ahead on the 20-minute mark when Briers fed Logan Swann for a walk over try.
Briers slotted the conversion to make the score 10-6 and was beginning to orchestrate from half-back with some superb kicking. Indeed, his shrewd footwork allowed Jon Clarke to score Warrington's third try, the hooker gathering and charging over on 28 minutes.
Another Briers training ground kick set up Richie Barnett who raced clear for number four and then centre Brent Grose strolled over in the left corner a minute before the break to give the hosts complete control.
Perhaps Warrington believed it was job done as Castleford did reduce the arrears three minutes after the interval when Shenton claimed his second try of the afternoon by touching down Ryan McGoldrick's kick, but Grose rapidly matched Shenton's feat to ensure they remained very much at arm's length.
Warrington then moved up a gear as Paul Wood bulldozed his way over on 56 minutes to stretch an already comfortable advantage.
But once again Castleford rallied with Peter Lupton going over and when Deon Bird finished off Danny Ward's excellent work to score on 64 minutes and the Tigers sensed an unlikely comeback.
Briers eased Warrington nerves when he slotted a penalty, but when Danny Sculthorpe bundled his way over on 70 minutes Castleford were withing 12 points at 40-28.
But upstepped captain fantastic and Briers capped a fine individual display with the try that finished the match, intercepting on half-way before scampering home - and silencing the travelling fans!
After the game Head Coach Paul Cullen admitted he was a little concerned by the number of points the team had leaked in the second half but on the whole was pleased with a "job done."Pictures by George Thornton show (top) Lee Briers making a break and Mark Hilton taking a high shot from Danny Sculthorpe.
“THE best team won by a mile. I thought we were shocking.”
Wolves’ coach Paul Cullen’s comment after his team’s shock exit from the Powergen Challenge Cup at the hands of National League One leaders Hull KR could hardly have been made clearer.
He refused to blame the absence of injured skipper Lee Briers – heaped praise on the victors who, he said, had outplayed Warrington in every department – and was bitter in his criticism of his own players.
“The defeat is difficult enough to take in its own right, but our lack of fight sickens me to the stomach.
“We treated Hull KR with the respect their very proud record deserved, but my players simply didn’t turn up for work.” They were harsh words – possibly a little too harsh given that it was Hull KR’s 18th win in a row.
But the game certainly cast into doubt the so-called gulf between National League and Super League.
The home side were simply too strong for Wolves on the day.
It may be that Warrington’s early lead, through tries from Logan Swann inspired complacency. But it shouldn’t have done, for Ben Cockayne and Makali Aizue swiftly put Rovers 12-10 ahead.
Wolves went briefly ahead again through tries from Stuart Reardon and Martin Gleeson but Jon Goddard and Byron Ford put Rovers ahead 24-22 at the interval.
In the second half, Ford landed two further tries and Dwayne Barker and Gareth Morton added two more. Henry Fa’afili and Michael Sullivan hit back for Wolves – but that was not enough.
In the goal scoring department honours were equal with Rovers’ Morton and Wolves Chris Bridge scoring four each.
After the match, Cullen did his best not to say anything that would detract from Rovers’ performance.
He said: “They’ve beaten us from the first to the last and completely outfought us in every part of the game.”
DESPITE a late show of three tries in the closing six minutes inspired by substitute half-back Simon Grix, Warrington left it too late to snatch anything from the Harlequins.
It was another mainly woeful performance from a Warrington outfit which appears to have lost its way.
The forwards failed to dominate while the defence was on occasions none existent.
An old saying from the Wilderspool days was "defence wins games" and this is something Head Coach Paul Cullen, who was renowned for his defence work as a player, needs to work on.
Opponents who have been studying Warrington matches this season are easily picking up on the weaknesses, particularly with the high ball on the last tackle, which both wingers, Henry Fa'fili and Ritchie Barnett and struggling to deal with.
After the latest set back Cullen said his team also needed to be more ruthless in attack.
For long periods Warrington dominated the match, particularly in the first period but an inability to take their chances let them down.
"Losing by a penalty 30-28 is very hard. But we had so many chances to win and we didn't take them. We had two tries disallowed in the first 10 minutes!
"We've been through their line on many, many occasions, but Harlequins' scrambling defence were always there and they always found someone to make a tackle.
"We are not working hard enough to finish games. Some players are looking around asking who is going to win games for us? We cannot rely on Lee Briers all the time."
Cullen singled out replacement Simon Grix after he came on to score two late tries and he could be set for a starting role in the near future.
"Simon Grix did more in his 10 minutes off the bench than he did in his whole stint last week against Hull KR.
"There are a number of players vying to play at half-back and he is one of them."
Warrington began the brighter and could have had two early tries but Martin Gleeson then Ben Westwood had efforts ruled out, the first for a forward pass before Westwood was harshly adjudged to have made a double movement.
In the sixth minute winger Henry Fa'afili looked to be in but second row Michael Worrincy had the legs on him and Toa Kohe-Love also had a race to the line, but he was stopped by Luke Dorn's last-ditch tackle.
The Quins finally went on the attack and duly opened the scoring with the impressive Worrincy cutting inside to go over and Henry Paul added the two points.
Three minutes later Rob Purdham, a tryscorer in his last three home clashes with the Wolves, was at it again as he produced a magnificent run from the halfway line.
Purdham took a pass from Paul, after the Kiwi's kick had struck a Warrington player, and went on a mazy run which saw him race clear to the line for the outstanding try of the afternoon.
Logan Swann almost set up a reply for the Wolves but Nick Bradley-Qalilawa hacked the ball to safety and Purdham averted a Richie Barnett touchdown with a strong tackle.
Then, with the half coming to a close, Kohe-Love threw a terrible pass to Barnett as another chance went begging.
The second half started more promisingly for Warrington when Lee Briers, his leg heavily strapped due to a hamstring problem, intercepted a stray pass from Paul and sprinted 70 metres to the line for his sixth try of the season.
Patrick Weisner extended the lead, crossing for the fourth straight game before Paul grabbed his first try since returning from the union code.
The former Gloucester man, who also added a goal on the hour mark, threw a beautiful dummy to go in under the sticks and the Quins led by 26-6.
Swann claimed the visitors' second touchdown after a long pass from Briers but the result was sealed when Solomon Haumono stretched to just get the ball down on the line.
With the match now gone the Wolves finally clicked into gear, with Barnett finishing off a well-worked try before Simon Grix grabbed a fine individual effort.
Grix added a second a minute later after a good run by Mark Gleeson but it was too little too late for the Wolves.
A host of former Warrington legends paid their last respects to Derek “Nobby” Clarke – the former Warrington player who went on to become the club’s trainer and was chairman of the Past Players Association.
Stars from the club's glittering past including Alex Murphy, Kevin Ashcroft, Mike Nicholas and Parry Gordon attended Nobby's funeral following his death in hospital after suffering a stroke.
There was standing room only at Walton Lea Crematorium with an estimated 200 mourners attending the funeral with the club represented by Chairman Lord Hoyle, Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe and other members of staff.
Affectionately known as “Nobby”, Derek, aged 70, had played an active role at Warrington RL Club for more than 40 years.
He played four games at scrum-half in 1957-58 and was reserve to Gerry Helme.
After his playing career he became the club’s trainer during the 60s and 70s and was part of the all conquering 70s set-up under Alex Murphy.
But in recent years, he has been best known for his leadership of the Past Players Association, which he was instrumental in founding and which he ran almost single-handedly.
Although seriously ill with a tumour on his lung, he organised the last annual Past Players Sportsman’s Dinner at the Tetley Walker Club in Warrington in February this year and took his usual place on the top table.
A spokesperson for Warrington Wolves said: “.All at Warrington RLFC send their deepest condolences to Mr Clarke's family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the club and the game.”
Tributes to “Nobby” are pouring in from friends and colleagues – including some of Rugby League’s legendary figures from Warrington and further afield.
Although Rugby League was his first love, Derek was an all-round sportsman and in his younger days had played numerous sports at a high standard, including cricket, having at one time been on Lancashire's books.
A friend of many years said: "It is often said that two men were behind Warrington's glory years in the 70s - Sir Oswald Davies, who provided the money and Alex Murphy who was the coach who inspired success on the field.
"But there was a third man who never got much credit - Nobby Clarke who, as trainer, did so much as a steadying influence."
One little known story of Nobby Clarke is that after he finished training at Warrington he went to Lymm Rugby Union Club to train there - helping them to reach the final of the Cheshire Cup.
It is said that at the final he had to speak to the players through the changing room window because, in those days, there was still such animosity between the two rugby codes.
WARRINGTON's dismal defeat to relegation threatened Wakefield Trinity Wildcats is a real "test of character" according to Wolves boss Paul Cullen.
Cullen exonerated Lee Briers of any blame after his skipper missed an injury time penalty that would have brought a last gasp victory for the Wolves.
Briers had also missed two late conversions after Warrington fought back from 16-8 down as they left it too late.
Cullen said: "If it had gone over then we would have, quite simply and obviously, deserved to win the game - but it didn't," said Cullen, with the Wolves having lost three games in a row, including a humiliating Challenge Cup defeat at Hull KR.
"Lee Briers has won us more games than he has lost us and that's just one of those unfortunate situations. We've got to be big enough to take it and I'm sure we are.
"It's a real test of your character and ability when things aren't going your way. That was pretty obvious at Harlequins but at least we had a go today.
"We just need to keep working hard and being patient and it will come back."
But Briers was clearly carrying a leg injury as he failed to break clear with one of his trademark interceptions in the first half as the Wolves produced a mainly lack lustre performance.
Wakefield were by far the hungrier of the two teams and got their just desserts.
The Wolves are now hanging on to a top-six spot by their fingertips and on this evidence, talk of a first Grand Final appearance is wildly optimistic.
Warrington started the brighter and took an early lead when Jon Clarke and Briers combined to send Logan Swann over for the opening score.
Briers converted the try then stretched the lead to eight points after 17 minutes with a penalty.
But Wakefield refused to crumble and hit back strongly, scoring three tries to earn a 14-8 half-time lead.
Jon Clarke and Michael Korkidas were sin-binned for an off-the-ball clash as tempers heated up after the break in what was becoming an increasingly fractious encounter.
Rooney slotted over a 45-metre penalty to stretch Wakefield's lead before the Wolves roared back with a try from Mark Gleeson and then the levelling score from Richie Barnett in the left corner.
Briers missed both conversion attempts to ensure the scores stayed level into the closing stages. Rooney came up with a drop goal in the final minute and when Briers missed from 40 metres out, the Wolves trudged off the pitch with the boos ringing in their ears from the frustrated home fans.
WARRINGTON'S season continued in freefall as they crashed 30-12 at basement club Wigan who were boosted by their new world record signing Stuart Fielden from the Bradford Bulls.
Super League's bottom side belied their lowly position with an impressive display against a Wolves side in freefall since they crashed out of the Challenge Cup to Hull KR.
After falling behind 12-0 early on, the Wolves did threaten a revival as they pulled to within two points by half-time.
However, Wigan were in no mood to let the chance of a rare win slip, running in three further tries to clinch the points and record back-to-back wins on home soil.
The arrival of Fielden for a world record fee approaching £450,000 gave out a clear message to the rest that the Warriors have little intention of dropping out of the top flight.
The Great Britain international enjoyed a solid performance on his debut and had a hand in Wigan's first try when his play the ball led to Iafeta Paleaaesina diving over.
The score was no more than the home side deserved after such a fast start and they doubled their advantage soon after when Nathan McAvoy went in.
McAvoy could have had a second soon after but he decided to go alone rather than pass to a wide open Brett Dallas on the wing.
That let-off was the lifeline that Warrington needed as they finally kicked into gear after rarely getting out of their half in the first 20 minutes.
Typically it was Lee Briers that led the way, the Wolves skipper throwing out a long pass for Simon Grix to score and then adding the first of two conversions.
A Michael Dobson penalty briefly pushed Wigan's lead out to eight points, but their defensive line was breached again before the break to leave the game evenly poised.
Calderwood made a mess of a high kick to hand Warrington excellent field position which led to Toa Kohe-Love sidestepping his way to the line.
But after a bright start to the second half Warrington ran out of steam allowing the Warriors to score three times unanswered.
Brett Dallas grabbed the first from a set move out wide and then skipper Sean O'Loughlin followed that up by taking Mickey Higham's offload to canter in - despite it appearing to be a forward pass.
Dobson knocked over his fourth conversion of the night to push the hosts 14 points clear with time running out and, unlike the first half, Warrington were unable to lift themselves off the canvas.
Brian Fletcher's late score put the icing on the cake for Wigan.
WARRINGTON Wolves hit rock bottom as they crashed to their fifth straight defeat - the worst run since Paul Cullen became head coach.
Cullen was furious with referee Steve Ganson after his side's 52-26 defeat to Castleford accusing the referee of contributing to the late chaos which saw four players leave the field as tempers reached boiling point.
He was also angry that the refree failed to consult the video referee when the Tigers winger Waine Pryce appeared to have bounced the ball when scoring just a minute into the contest.
Paul Wood and Ryan McGoldrick both saw red for fighting, just moments after Gray Viane and Ben Westwood had been sent to the bin for a similar offence.
"I thought the game was out of control from the moment Pryce's try was awarded without the courtesy of going to the video referee,” raged Cullen. “The game turned into a circus on the back of it.
"I am disappointed with the vast majority of what I've seen over the 80 minutes. The game had desperation and panic about it.
"Michael Sullivan's 80 minutes at hooker and the form of Mike Cooper, a 17-year-old prop on his debut, offered a glimmer of hope in what has been a nightmare of a day. We look like a group that is missing five of its best players."
But the real circus act was Warrington's defence which leaked nine tries to the relegation favourites.
A mistake on the opening kick-off allowed the Tigers to get their tails up and the referee decided Waine Pryce had dropped on top of a grubber kick to score, although television replays suggested the winger had bounced the ball down.
Another Warrington turnover allowed Willie Manu to sidestep his way over and Danny Brough crowned a dream start for Cas by pouncing on a loose ball to go in under the posts after Stuart Reardon had allowed a high kick to bounce.
At 16-0 down the Wolves suddenly realised they were off the coach and kicked into gear and answered back with two tries of their own through Rob Parker and Brent Grose.
A 40-20 from Lee Briers then seemed to put the visitors in striking distance for another, only for the television official to reverse the referee's decision and let Castleford off the hook.
Richard Fa'aoso made the most of excellent field position to crash his way over, only for Reardon to reply with a try for Warrington that cut the gap down to eight points.
But that proved to be as close as Warrington got before they crumbled to a heavy defeat.
Peter Lupton scored a try either side of the interval and with Brough converting both, Cas found themselves in total control.
The goal kicker then showed his ability kicking out of hand with a 40-20 that led to Michael Platt going over.
That was quickly followed up by a try for Adam Fletcher as he reeled in McGoldrick's kick to the corner to rub salt into Warrington's wounds.
With the game over as a contest the late action came mainly off the ball as tempers flared in the sunshine.
Referee Ganson decided to issue two red cards to try and calm things down as several players went toe-to-toe.
Michael Shenton did go over to bring up Castleford's half century in between the punch-ups to delight the home fans.
The final play of the match saw Warrington's Michael Cooper score on his debut, although it was a match both he and his team-mates will want to forget very quickly as their season falls apart.
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures George Thornton
WARRINGTON ended their run of five consecutive defeats but were still less than convincing as they clung on to a 30-26 victory over relegation threatened Huddersfield Giants.
Plus points were the form of Simon Grix, who grabbed two tries, and hooker Michael Sullivan who again impressed.
But after building up a 22-4 half-time lead Warrington nearly threw the points away as the Giants bounced back.
After the match Head Coach Paul Cullen admitted a sense of relief.
"In the past four or fives weeks we've fallen to pieces but we didn't today. Discipline and defence have let us down quite badly over the last month but it's not because we don't train and play hard.
"We've suffered body blow after body blow, but there have been worse crises than we've had, and at least we had something in the bank before we hit the wall."
The Wolves won with six senior players absent and Cullen added: "I've said to the guys, I'm delighted that we've not had to wait for any of the cavalry to arrive to get the win.
"The blokes who have been battered over the last month have stood up and come away with a win today. That's very important to us."
Both sides came into the contest short of confidence - Huddersfield had lost their last three - but after a cautious opening it was the Giants who made the breakthrough in the 18th minute, Robbie Paul's clever dummy and chip on the blind-side setting up a try in the corner for Kevin Brown.
The Wolves hit back within two minutes as Briers and Ben Westwood linked in midfield, before Gleeson completed a neat handling move by sending winger Henry Fa'afili over for his 18th try of the season.
Three minutes later Warrington went ahead, Briers setting up the chance with a 40-20 and Grix barging over from the scrum - although he dropped and re-gathered the ball and was somewhat fortunate that the video referee did not rule a knock-on.
Stuart Reardon wasted a chance to stretch the lead further when he made a blatant double movement in the act of scoring, but made almost immediate amends with a try on the half hour. Westwood's dummy run fooled the defence and Briers' pass gave Reardon the chance to trot over unopposed.
A minute later it was Michael Sullivan who turned creator, a neat run and offload sending Grix crashing over and a Briers penalty on the hooter completed an almost perfect second quarter for the Wolves.
But the second half was a different story as the Giants began to take advantage of a Warrington defence that hung back too much and fell off the tackle too often.
The Wolves gifted field position with a high shot on Martin Aspinwall and Andy Raleigh powered over beneath the sticks on the first tackle, before Brad Drew sent skipper Chris Thorman crashing over to set the alarm bells ringing in the home crowd.
But Warrington quickly came up with another try and this one was a beauty as Briers and Gleeson combined on the blind side for Fa'afili's second try.
On the hour Huddersfield produced a well-worked reply as Paul thew the dummy that created the space for Brown to go over for his second try.
Three minutes later Briers' crossfield kick was missed in the air by by Aspinwall and Toa Kohe-Love touched down unopposed.
That extended the lead to 10 points but nothing is straightforward with these Wolves and with the defence tiring, Huddersfield scored the try of the match, a length-of-the-pitch score from Raleigh that was completed in just two tackles.
With four minutes left the Wolves were limping home, but their defence stiffened just enough to keep the Giants out in a frantic finish.Pictures by George Thornton show Henry Fa'afili going in for his first try and Ben Westwood on the charge.
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
HULL'S 13 th consecutive victory proved to be unlucky 13 for hard working Warrington who didn't really deserve to lose by such a scorleine in a closely contested match.
Hull have made a habit of winning games without being at their best and they were far from fluent against the Wolves.
Warrington were 18-0 down before they got into gear hitting back with two quick tries from Toa Kohe-Love and Logan Swann.
But in a slow start Warrington's indiscipline cost them after just four minutes when they were caught offside. Paul Cooke saw winger Brent Grose hanging back and dabbed through a kick for Danny Washbrook to score his first Hull try.
Warrington were then under the cosh in the first 15 minutes but did force some pressure when Lee Briers' chip earnt them a drop-out, but a terrible pass from Stuart Reardon was intercepted by winger Gareth Raynor who raced 80 metres to score under the sticks.
Another penalty gifted Hull a third try when Michael Sullivan went high on Paul King. Five tackles later Cooke sent across a high kick and Motu Tony plucked it out of the air to score.
The Wolves could have crumbled at 18-0 down after 26 minutes but to their credit hit straight back as Briers' chip over the top was collected by former Hull man Kohe-Love.
On 33 minutes Warrington were back in the game after Sullivan won a clever penalty from King for not standing square.
That was the catalyst for the best try of the match as Gleeson's quick hands released Briers and Logan Swann was on his shoulder to take the pass and trot over unopposed.
But the momentum swung once more in the last minute of the half when Warrington failed to deal with a kick, Raynor hacked on and Shaun Briscoe gave Horne the ball under the posts for the record-breaking try.
Warrington dominated the opening exchanges of the second half but could not force the try that would have got them back into the contest, a superb try-saving tackle in the corner from Gareth Raynor on Henry Fa'afili summing up Hull's resolute defence.
With an hour gone Warrington finally got their reward when Brent Grose intercepted a Tommy Lee pass to score his 50th try for the Wolves.
But just four minutes later Lee redeemed himself with the score that halted Warrington's comeback. The Wolves defence again failed to deal with a Horne kick and Motu Tony collected to send Lee over.
Inevitably, that blow knocked some of the fight out of the Wolves and Briscoe's try from Dowes' break up the middle on 70 minutes wrapped up the contest.
But Warrington did manage a late consolation when Richie Barnett scored on his return to the KC Stadium from Briers' grubber kick, but by then the points belonged to Hull.
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures George Thornton
A last gasp penalty from skipper Lee Briers handed Warrington the spoils in a thrilling derby victory over arch rivals Wigan.
Hundreds of fans, mainly from Wigan, missed the game which was a lock out with a capacity 13,024.
Victory brought an end to Wigan's five match winning streak leaving the relegation threatened Warriors hovering just above the drop.
But on this showing they are unlkiely to be relegated as they pushed the Wolves all the way in a pulsating encounter.
After Michael Dobson had kicked Wigan ahead, hooker Michael Sullivan slipped Martin Gleeson in to put the Wolves ahead after just six minutes.
Toa Kohe-Love extended Warrington's lead on 12 minutes just after Wigan skipper Sean O'Loughlin had knocked-on in a great position.
But it was all Wigan from then on in the first half though as they piled on the pressure and forced The Wolves into three goal-line drop-outs.
Warrington hung on until half time though, and Briers kicked them 12-2 ahead two minutes after the restart.
Wigan came storming back with Dobson's grubber kick bouncing off a post for Danny Tickle to collect and touch down.
Briers again kicked a penalty to help Warrington but it was all level when O'Loughlin went over from another Dobson kick.
Warrington man-of-the match Paul Wood battled over the line to restore Warrington's lead in the 68th minute but Wigan again bounced back to level matters when Chris Ashton burst clear from halfway before going over.
With time running out Danny Orr and Dobson both launched drop goal attempts from 20 yards only to see the ball hit the crossbar and the other sail wide. Briers faired much better two minutes later when he converted his penalty chance to ensure Warrington cemented their play-off slot in fifth.
The penalty was awarded as Sullivan lined up a drop goal attempt but was tackled by Danny Tickle who was running back from an off-side position.
Pictures show winger Henry Fa'afili and skipper Lee Briers in action.
DISMAL defending saw Warrington Wolves crash to an embarrassing defeat with the game over as a contest within 15 minutes as Bradford Bulls rattled up 50 points.
The Bulls waltzed in for six tries during a clinical first half display when half the Warrington team looked like they were still on the coach.
On this showing Warrington can forget any Grand Final dream and will be lucky to make the top six!
The Wolves included four former Bradford players in their side - Logan Swann, Stuart Reardon, Toa Kohe-Love and Chris Bridge - but a woeful defensive effort during the opening period made it an evening to forget for Paul Cullen's men.
Bradford scored three tries in the opening quarter-of-an-hour to effectively end the game as a contest.
Prop Andy Lynch was first to touch down on six minutes when he collected his own grubber kick.
Two minutes later the hosts were in again, this time Karl Pryce finishing a flowing move involving Terry Newton and Marcus Bai.
After 15 minutes, ex Wolf Iestyn Harris set up Lesley Vainikolo to collect and touch down in the right corner, and nine minutes later Harris created another score with a perfectly timed offload to Brad Meyers.
Bradford old boy Reardon did provide some temporary respite for Warrington with a converted try on the half hour but the reprieve was short-lived.
Man-of-the match Newton sent Stanley Gene in on 38 minutes, before Shontayne Hape crossed in first half stoppage time for try number six following good work from Vainikolo.
Warrington improved after the interval and scored the first two tries through ex Bulls Bridge and Kohe-Love.
But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished by Bulls prop Joe Vagana's 56th minute try.
Bridge then claimed his second score of the game but two late tries from the tireless Newton put some gloss on the final scoreline.
Deacon converted both for his sixth and seventh goals of the evening as the Bulls reached the 50-point.
by Gary Skentelbery
SALFORD made it a hat-trick of victories over the Wolves this season with a thrilling one point victory at the Willows.
A drop goal from Andrew Dunemann was the difference between two committed sides in a pulsating clash.
Salford are now favourites to clinch 5th spot ahead of the Wolves with just four games remaining.
The Wolves looked set to end their jinx against the Reds as they led 12-22 early in the second half.
But some dismal defending undid all their good work as the home side ran in four unanswered tries in an 18 minute spell.
The Wolves gallantly led by their inspirational skipper Lee Briers fought back, but ran out of time.
The Wolves led at the break and stretched their advantage to 22-12 with a Chris Bridge try and a penalty from playmaker Briers.
But the Reds ran in four tries during a blistering 18-minute spell.
Warrington hit back through Michael Sullivan and Brent Grose but Dunemann's drop-goal kept the Reds clear.Pictures show try scorer Michael Sullivan (top) and Paul Rauhihi taking on old boy Lima.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
TWELVE man Warrington clung on to a vital victory which all but secured a top six finish despite a dismal run of form since their shock Challenge Cup exit.
With club cpatian Paul Rauhihi dismissed for a high tackle the Wolves were left clinging on in the final quarter as the visitors scrapped for points to avoid being dragged into the relegation dog fight.
Warrington started well and seemed set to secure a convincing triumph at one stage as they led 28-12 on the hour mark.
But the sending off of Rauhihi handed Quins a route back into the game and they made life more than a little uncomfortable for their hosts.
Warrington Coach Paul Cullen looked a relieved man as his team held on to claim the points.
The Wolves were on the board first through Chris Bridge when Henry Paul's long pass was easily intercepted in his own half by Brent Grose who rumbled towards the line before offloading for Bridge to touch down next to the posts. With Lee Briers having added the extras Warrington wasted no time in extending their lead as Henry Fa'afili collected a loose ball after it had broken favourably following Martin Gleeson's blocked pass, to touch down in the corner. Briers once again converted to make the scoreline 12-0 after just eight minutes.
Despite picking up a wrist injury and despite being in obvious discomfort Briers stayed on the pitch to direct proceedings for his team.
Harlequins were reduced to 12 when Paul Sykes was binned for a professional foul, but it did not seem to affect them as they got back into the game with a score from Solomon Haumono who bulldozed over from close range.
But Warrington were in complete control by half-time as Toa Kohe-Love produced a spectacular diving finish to touch down Bridge's clever kick to the corner and then Logan Swann, put through by Briers, passed inside for youngster Andy Bracek to score his first Super League try after a spot of ball-juggling.
Trailing 22-6, Quins needed to score first in the second period and did when the ball was spun wide for winger Nick Bradley-Qalilawa to touch down, Paul's fine conversion from the touchline gave them added belief.
However Warrington hit back when Martin Gleeson slid home out wide to re-establish Wolves' comfortable lead.
But back came the Quins as Bradley-Qalilawa notched his second of the match after some fine work by former Warrington packman Paul Noone.
Rauhihi then received his marching orders for an ugly high shot and Chad Randall's score five minutes from time set up a barnstorming finish. But Quins could not make their numerical advantage count and slipped to what could prove a costly defeat for their season.Pictures show Henry Fa'afili off loading in the tackle and Paul Wood "dancing in the rain!"
by Gary Skentelbery
IT'S hard to believe that some of these Warrington players who turned out at Headingley are actually playing for their futures!
To say this was a spineless performance is an under statement as the Wolves capitulated to another hugely embarrassing defeat- their ninth out of their last 10 trips on the road.
Somehow the Wolves have clung on to 6th spot in the table but on recent showings they should be down in the relegation battle!
With new signings Adrian Morley and Paul Johnson on their way some of the players who "turned out" at Headingley don't deserve to be able to pull on the primrose and blue again!
Only a miracle can see the club progress in the play offs this year.
Whatever happened in the cup defeat at Hull KR it has certainly transformed this Wolves outfit into a shadow of the side which triumphed over Leeds earlier in the season at the Halliwell Jones when they won 44-16.
Now it was Warrington's turn to be the whipping boys (not for the first time this season) as the Rhinos celebrated the opening of the new Carnegie Stand with a 54-16 victory.
Sports minister Richard Caborn opened the new £7 million stand prior to kick off and the Rhinos produced a superb display to suggest it will prove money well spent.
Great Britain centre Keith Senior was the game's outstanding player, completing a fine hat-trick with a charge from within his own half in the final minute, although by then Warrington's paper thin defence was already on the Coach home!
Leeds scored nine tries in total with Scott Donald and Jamie Thackray geeting a brace and one apiece for Ali Lauitiiti and Ashley Gibson.
Warrington managed three tries of their own through Michael Sullivan, Richie Barnett and Logan Swann, as they slumped to their ninth defeat in 12 games.
Thackray opened the scoring when he touched down for his first try for the Rhinos in the eighth minute but the Wolves quickly responded when Chris Leikvoll sent Sullivan in to level things up.
The hosts produced a moment of magic on 16 minutes when Lauitiiti released Thackray on a run from within his own half that ended with the prop touching down for his second of the game.
Three minutes later the Rhinos took control as Donald crossed for their third try before the visitors kept in touch when Barnett took advantage of Chris Bridges' vision to score in the left corner.
Leeds then pulled away courtesy of a Kevin Sinfield penalty and tries from Lauitiiti and Gibson to secure a 30-10 lead at the interval.
Warrington started brightly after the break and gained reward with their third try on 45 minutes when Lee Briers released Swann for a run to the line. But Leeds were soon back on the offensive, and shortly after the hour Senior exploited weak defence down the left side to score twice in three minutes.
Paul Cullen has a massive task ahead of him now to rally the troops as they prepare to entertain Hull and St Helens at the Halliwell Jones - no place for the faint hearted!
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
IF Warrington are saving best until last they could still make an impact in the play-offs.
The Wolves turned the form book upside down as they inflicted a rare defeat on high-flying Hull as they ran out victors 26-14.
The Airlie Birds, who are already assured of a second-place finish, succumbed to only their second defeat in 16 matches under Australian coach Peter Sharp.
A Paul Cooke penalty after 10 minutes gave the visitors the lead and full-back Motu Tony had a try disallowed for a double movement. But it was former Hull winger Richie Barnett who was first across the line, beating Shaun Briscoe to a Lee Briers high kick.
Six minutes before the interval Chris Bridge powered through a number of tackles to touchdown. Briers converted to ensure a 14-2 half-time lead. The lead could have been greater if Barnett had not been held up over the line.
Winger Gareth Raynor started a Hull fightback when he scored after latching onto a grubber kick from Tony and they might have gone level had Whiting not knocked on over the line.
Warrington hit back on 55 minutes when Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson broke clear to put Ben Westwood through for the Wolves' third try.
After an extended spell of pressure, Hull did eventually break through with a suspiciously forward looking pass to Tony, who went over in the corner.
A touchline conversion from Cooke set up a tense finish, with an attempted drop goal from Briers drifting wide.
But it was man-of-the match Briers who eventually guaranteed the victory after intercepting Kirk Yeaman's pass to grab the all-important sixth try of the afternoon.Pictures show Martin Gleeson making the break which led to Ben Westwood's try
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
THERE was no disgrace in this 30-38 defeat to the best team in Super League as the curtain came down on Warrington Wolves league campaign.
The Wolves showed that when they put their minds to it they are capable of mixing with the best as they raced into a surprise 16-0 lead.
But the visitors hit back with some breathtaking rugby during a 21-minute period when they went from 16-0 down to 28-16 ahead by the interval.
Saints ran in seven tries with Ade Gardner and Paul Wellens each claiming a brace and one apiece for Jon Wilkin, Willie Talau and Vinnie Anderson.
The result leaves the Wolves in sixth spot facing a trip to Headingley Carnegie to take on Leeds Rhinos in the opening match of the post-season play-offs on Friday.
The Wolves made an impressive start, scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes to storm into a 16-0 lead.
Lee Briers was an inspirational figure during the early stages, creating tries for Paul Wood, Richie Barnett and Ben Westwood.
But the momentum shifted on 18 minutes when St Helens back rower Wilkin shrugged off the attentions of Henry Fa'afili to touch down.
That was the signal for the Saints back division to move through the gears and the points started to flow as Wellens crossed twice and Gardner and Wilkin once each prior to the interval.
Warrington continued to fight hard after the break and tries from Martin Gleeson and Toa Kohe-Love reduced the deficit to four points at 28-24 with half-an-hour remaining.
But Saints showed why they have finished eight points clear at the top of the regular season table as tries for Talau and Anderson gave them some breathing space at 38-24.
Chris Bridge rounded off the scoring with a 72nd minute try.
Despite the defeat Head Coach Paul Cullen saw some encouraging signs.
"There were great signs of the character that we need to take us to the next level," he said.
"I think we have seen enough which allows us to have some confidence in our physical and mental toughness.
"We're hardened by the season that we've had, we're hardened by our win against Hull last week and our effort against the best side in the competition. It was a very brave effort and a performance of no little skill. "We've attempted to take on the most offensive side in the competition and run them off the park - and we very nearly did it."
Meanwhile it was an emotional occasion at half-time when former club skipper Mike Gregory was inducted into the Past Player's Hall of Fame.
Members of the Past Players made the presentation to Sam and Ben Gregory, Mike’s sons. Mike watched on from the stands.
He played loose forward for he club between 1982-1994 making 246 appearances (including subs) scoring 45 tries.
He joined the club from Wigan St Patrick’s in June 1982 and quickly established himself in the first team winning the Lancashire Cup, the Premiership Trophy in 1986. He scored two tries on his debut for GB v France in 1987 and then went on to be made Warrington Captain in February 1988.
He was Warrington’s only representative on the 1988 GB Tour to Papua New Guinea playing in all 5 tests.
He then went on to captain Warrington to victory in the Lancashire Cup against Oldham in 1989, which led to him being named GB Captain for the series against NZ.Pictures show Martin Gleeson in action against his former club and Rob Parker. Also pictured is the presentation to Mike Gregory's sons by members of the Past Players Association.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
by Gary Skentelbery
WOLVES Prop Paul Wood was celebrating at the double after being named "Players Player" and "Player of the Year" during the club's end of season awards.
The modest young forward expressed genuine surprise at the awards, saying he felt there were at least half a dozen other players who would have been ahead of him in the awards nominations.
Wood added: “Thank you to everyone that has helped me achieve these awards this year. I never expected to be voted Player’s Player of the Year, let alone the Player of the Year. It means a lot to me.”
Other awards presented at the dinner included Junior Academy Player of the Year Kash Watkins and Senior Academy Player of the Year Steve Pickersgill.
Head Coach Paul Cullen commented on his selection of Player of the Year: “Paul Wood has shown dedication to his training, to helping the younger players develop and his attitude on the field has been outstanding. He has been consistent in and inconsistent season and deserves recognition for his hard work.”Picture shows Paul Cullen presenting Paul Wood with his awards.
by Gary Skentelbery Picture Neil Ashurst
WARRINGTON turned the form book upside down with an inspirational victory which saw them achieve their first ever Super League play-off victory as the golden boot of Lee Briers sank the Rhinos 17-18 at Headingley.
Arriving at the ground just half an hour before the game was due to start after being held up in traffic had little effect on the electric Wolves who were pumped up and ready for action after kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes.
Skipper Briers was in scintilating form and surely must now be knocking on the Great Britain selectors door after an inspired performance, as he slotted the 50th drop-goal of his Warrington career to clinch a breathtaking victory.
Just three weeks earlier Warrington had lost 54-16 on the same ground and had last won at Headingley back in 2002, but they had more power up front throughout the second half and deserved their outstanding victory. Red hot favourites Leeds, who have made the Grand Final for the past three years started fast and were ahead inside four minutes as scrum-half Rob Burrow ducked and swerved under two challenges to score by the sticks, after Warrington full-back Stuart Reardon knocked-on a Burrow bomb.
The Wolves hit back quickly when Briers found a pinpoint 40-20 and moments later Reardon shipped the ball out wide for winger Henry Fa'afili to squeeze in at the corner.
Briers missed the extras and then on 18 minutes Burrow's superb break was rewarded with a try as he found his half-back partner Danny McGuire backing up to race in and score.
Skipper Kevin Sinfield added his second conversion, but Briers hauled the Wolves to within six points at the break with a long-range penalty.
Hard working Warrington dominated the second half and got back in the contest just a minute into the second half when Sinfield hurled the ball into touch deep inside his own half and from the scrum Briers' pass found Michael Sullivan making a brilliant angled run to score on his first play-off appearance.
The Rhinos managed to stretch their lead to six points with two Sinfield penalties but Warrington levelled just before the hour mark, Briers dabbing through a perfectly-weighted kick for Ben Westwood to score by the sticks.
The final quarter was breathtaking and heart stopping as both teams hunted field position and drop-goals.
Sinfield landed one from close range on 66 minutes but two minutes later Briers levelled. Youngster Jordan Tansey sliced an attempt wide from close in-front but the experienced Briers made no mistake from 30 metres with just 90 seconds left But the drama wasn't over as Leeds collected straight from the kick off leaving the Wolves clinging on for a famous victory.
On the final hooter the Wolves players leapt into the air with delight as Head Coach Paul Cullen raced on to the filed to congratulate his heroes.
The 2,000 plus Wolves fans, many who missed the match after being stuck in traffic, were left dancing and celebrating long into the night.
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
DON'T be fooled by the scoreline - this was an epic contest which Warrington could have won, with a better start and a little more luck.
It may have brought the curtain down on another inconsistent season but with new signings on the way, including Great Britain star Adrian Morley, Warrington can kick on from this.
Trailing 18-0 in as many minutes after a disasterous start most teams would have crumbled - but not Warrington who forced their way back and were actually leading 24-22 approaching the final quarter of the game.
Sadly their efforts proved to be in a losing cause in front of a travelling army of 5,000 fans, as Bradford climbed off the canvas to score three late tries and give the final scoreline a rather flattering look.
Full-back Michael Withers led the early onslaught, scoring the first after his team-mates had kept the ball alive on the fifth tackle and then taking Brad Mackay's pass off a set move to waltz over the line.
Karl Pryce shrugged his way through some paper-thin tackling from the visitors to set up Paul Deacon, who then added his third conversion to make it 18-0.
But back came Warrington and it was no surprise that Lee Briers was the catalyst for the comeback, the skipper getting the ball rolling by going over for Warrington's opening try.
His well-weighted kick to the corner then allowed Henry Fa'afili to score and it would have been even better for the away side shortly before the break had Chris McKenna's desperate lunge not denied Briers after a wonderful dummy.
Deacon's injury-time penalty gave Bradford an eight-point lead at the break, although that soon evaporated as Warrington continued their resurgence at the start of the second half.
Former Bull Stuart Reardon sidestepped his way through the defence before spinning the ball out wide for Toa Kohe-Love to cross on the left.
The Wolves then moved ahead for the first time on the night as Reardon went from provider to scorer to finish off a flowing team move under the posts.
Briers slotted over the conversion and was also on target with a penalty after Deacon had briefly levelled the scores.
But, the Wolves' skipper then came up with a crucial error that cost his team dear as his failure to hang on to an interception gave Bradford six tackles in their opponents' 22.
Deacon took full advantage, dancing his way through for his second try and put the Bulls back in front.
Lesley Vainikolo clinched the victory, the giant winger picking up a loose ball and rumbling down the field to touch down leaving the hapless Wolves defenders in his wake.
Withers failed to ground a late effort but was generously awarded the try to complete his hat-trick and rub further salt in Warrington's wounds as their season came to a disappointing end.Pictures show Martin Gleeson in action and Rob Parker coming up against his former team mates. Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
A complete round up of the Wolves' 2006 Super League campaign
Warrington Wolves 21 Widnes Vikings 20
Wolves hang on!
By Gary Skentelbery
More than 6,000 fans turned up to show their support at Halliwell Jones Stadium which could earn an estimated £50,000 for the former Wolves skipper, who is suffering from a neurological complaint.
The Vikings who were relegated last season, were more than a match for the hosts and came close to pulling of a second straight win over the Super League side in pre-season friendlies.
The National League outfit defeated Warrington in a Boxing Day friendly and would have done so again had they managed to convert a last gasp try.
Instead it was the Wolves who came out on top in a tight match after Lee Marsh was unable to add the extras following substitute Mick Nanyn's try.
The Vikings managed to forge a 12-10 lead at half-time thanks to scores from Mark Smith and Damian Reid, which Marsh converted.
Henry Fa'afili and Chris Bridge crossed for Warrington in the opening 40 minutes as coach Paul Cullen sent out a near full-strength team.
Paul Connor's try soon after the re-start pushed Widnes further clear but they were unable to hang on to the lead as they allowed Warrington back into the game.
Mark Gleeson's try was converted by Bridge to level the scores, who then put the Wolves in front with a drop goal.
Brent Grose appeared to have sealed victory for the home team when he crashed over, only for Widnes to battle back in contention in the final few minutes with Nanyn's effort two minutes from time.
Mike Gregory support
Legends turn out to
support Mike
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON stars of the past, present and future, turned out to show their support for former club captain Mike Gregory, who is suffering from a debilitating illness.
They were joined by more than 6,100 fans at a special Mike Gregory Trust Challenge when the Wolves narrowly triumphed 21-20 at the Halliwell Jones against near neighbours Widnes.
The event included the presentation of a rare Championship Medal donated by Harry Bath who is now aged 81 and living in Sydney, Australia. Harry and his wife Gwen, who spent nine "very happy" years in Warrington, where the ran the Britannia pub, sent the medal after hearing of Mike's plight through warrington-worldwide.Both players had the honour of skippering the side and Harry, was eager to help 42-year-old Mike and his young family during their difficult times.
Harry, who collected 17 winners medals during his illustrious career, decided to donate one he won in 1947-48 with the Wire, to help the man who shared the honour of captaining Warrington.
He also parted with his only copy of a signed Wembley programme from the 1950 season when he skippered Warrington to a 17-0 victory over Widnes.The Warrington team that day was full of "legends" including Moggy Palin, Gerry Helme and Brian Bevan.
Harry was eager for the Championship medal and Cup Final programme to stay at the club and now thanks to the fund-raising activities at the game, they have gone on show in a special display case which has been organised by Nobby Clarke Clarke, Chairman of the Past Players Association and Finance Director Neil Dowson on behalf of the Supporters Trust.
Harry said: "Warrington gave me the opportunity to win the medal and I believe it belongs in Warrington and I would like the medal to be able to do some good."
When his playing career ended, Harry, who lived in Grappenhall, moved back to Australia for a successful coaching career.
Pictures show Nobby Clarke from the past players association presenting a cheque to Mike at an earlier fund-raising event and former Wigan and GB star Phil Clarke with warrington-worldwide Editor Gary Skentelbery and Lord Hoyle during the presentation of the medal watched by former stars.
Warrington Wolves 6 Salford City Reds 24
Wolves left
red faced!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves were left red faced on the opening day of the season as they were completely out played and out gunned by a rampant Salford City Reds.
After watching his "big guns" lack any fire power a disappointed Warrington coach Paul Cullen admitted his side were second best and lacking in professionalism as they slumped to a 24-6 shock defeat.
The Wolves were humiliated in front of a crowd of nearly 11,000 at the Halliwell Jones and Cullen fumed: "I'm bitterly disappointed because we were completely outplayed from start to finish by a far more enthusiastic Salford side."The handling errors and lack of completion were the reasons we lost the game.
"Salford were far more efficient and far more professional and applied their game-plan far more religiously than we did.
"You've got to compliment Salford, but there were a number of really weak performances from the Warrington players. We've been outplayed in every department.
"There were some really weak individual performances and they have put their positions in doubt from day one!"
"The bottom line is that if you put the ball on the floor as cheaply as we did then any side - let alone one as determined as Salford - are going to cause you problems."
It was a happy return for former Wolves winger Jon Wilshere who scored two first-half tries for the Reds.
Expensive new Warrington signings Paul Rauhihi, Michael Sullivan, Stuart Reardon and Rob Parker all struggled to make any impact on their competitive debuts and the Reds were well worth their win. Salford quickly went ahead with neat handling from Andy Hodgson after Karl Fitzpatrick's bomb sent Wilshere in from close range.
Wilshere made his second try all himself, winning posession in midfield, darting through a gap in the Wolves line and outsprinting the cover defence to give Salford a 10-0 lead at the break.
The Wolves roared back briefly at the start of the second half, Lee Briers offloading for Martin Gleeson, who sent Henry Fa'afili charging over.
But on 53 minutes normal service resumed as Fitzpatrick chipped the ball cleverly over the defence, collected and offloaded for Hodgson to score. Worse was to follow for the wobbling Wolves as Hodgson added a penalty and then converted Junior Langi's close range score.
On this evidence Salford - themselves missing the likes of Luke Robinson, Chris Charles, Andrew Dunemann and Stephen Myler - could be the ones challenging for a play-off place.
Picture courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Huddersfield 26 Warrington Wolves 20
Wolves more than
unlucky to lose
by our correspondent
WARRINGTON Wolves count themselves more than unlucky to have lost this grimly contested game at the Galpharm Stadium.
Despite being without regulars, they were in front twice and believe right-winger Henry Fa’afili was injured by a Huddersfield water carrier just before the home side’s match-winning try.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen claimed Fa’afili needed treatment after being hurt knocked over and injured in a collision with Giants’ assistant coach Ben Cooper who had run onto the field with water.
As a result he struggled to get back to attempt to prevent Chris Nero scoring the crucial try.
Warrington has made a formal complaint, but do not expect it to change the result but the incident adds further fuel to the misgivings about the use of water boys.
Wolves took a 10-0 early lead and were also 16-14 ahead after 67 minutes and credit must be given to the home side for twice fighting back.
Scrum-half Chris Bridge opened the scoring after only three minutes, with Lee Briers adding the conversion and only four minutes Richard Barnett race over unopposed to touch down on his debut.
Huddersfield fought back, gradually gaining the upper hand and were able to draw level by half-time.
They went in front for the first time after 52 minutes only to see Wolves regain the lead after 67 minutes when Briers converted a second try by Bridge.
Both sides were reduced to 12 men when Ben Westwood (Wolves) and Wayne McDonald (Giants) were sin-binned for fighting.
Huddersfield went ahead through tries from Nero and Wild, both of which were converted and Wolves had to be content with a consolation try when Martin Gleeson sent Fa’afili over.
Afterwards, Cullen said he was encouraged by his side’s performance which, he said, was much improved on the defeat against Salford. But he conceded that there was “still a lot of work to do.”
Warrington Wolves 46 Hull FC 24
Wolves roar back
by Gary Skentelbery
A HAT-TRICK of tries from winger Henry Fa'afili helped Warrington record their first win of the Super League season with a 46-24 success over Hull.
But it was playmaker Lee Briers (pictured) who was the star of the show as he kicked Hull to death.
The Wolves looked to be heading for a hat-trick of defeats when they allowed the visitors to race in to a 14-0 lead.However, the Wolves showed their teeth to bounce back from the early disappointment as they turned the games on its head with 28 unanswered points in the second half.
Hull's Danny Brough opened the scoring when he pounced on a loose ball near the Warrington line after Brent Grose had spilled Paul Cooke's kick.
The Airlie Birds second try also came courtesy of a clever kick early in the tackle count as Cooke spotted nobody at home at full back and prodded the ball forwards for Kirk Yeaman to score.
Brough converted both tries and added a penalty to put the Airlie Birds in complete control and on course of a repeat of their 2005 play-off win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Wolves got back in the match when Jon Clarke dummied his way though, but his effort was soon cancelled out when Yeaman grabbed his second. Back came Warrington as Lee Briers stepped inside two tacklers to cut the gap to eight, only for Hull to answer straight back again through Gareth Raynor as he beat Fa'afili to a high kick in the corner and ran 90 metres to score.
But Warrington's aerial attack finally paid off when Fa'afili outjumped Raynor to get his first of the night shortly before the break.
Hull led by just six at half-time and they soon saw their advantage disappear straight after the re-start.
Fa'afili's second try, which Briers successfully converted to level the scores as Warrington finally found a way through on their 20th successive tackle.
Birthday boy Mike Wainwright then put the Wolves ahead for the first time on the night as the 31-year-old made Nathan Blacklock pay for knock-on by crashing over on the left.
With Hull visibly rocked and on the ropes, the home side went in for the kill.
Richie Barnett somehow managed to get the ball down in the corner against his former club and Chris Bridge touched down soon after to finish the game as a contest.
Briers added a drop goal to rub salt in the visitors' wounds and then intercepted a pass from former team-mate Sid Domic to set Fa'afili up to complete his treble.
The Welsh international slotted over his sixth conversion and even managed to squeeze in a drop goal just before the end of a pulsating contest.
Warrington Wolves 10 St Helens 18
Costly mistakes
end in defeat
WARRINGTON were made to pay the penalty for some costly first half mistakes as St Helens maintained their 100 per cent start to Super League XI and their dominance over the Wolves with an 10-18 victory.
Saints have lost just one of their 25 Super League meetings with Warrington and rarely looked like losing a closely-fought contest after the Wolves gave themselves too much to do with a shaky first half performance.
Scrum-half Sean Long launched a high bomb which Richie Barnett failed to deal with and Jamie Lyon took the catch and flicked the ball skillfully inside to Keiron Cunningham, who trotted over for his ninth try in 14 games at Warrington.
Warrington enjoyed plenty of possession and territory but failed to breach a rock-solid Saints defensive line, then almost inevitably they were hit with a sucker punch.
Francis Meli looked to be just relieving the pressure with a run out of defence, but his step inside forced Martin Gleeson to miss his tackle and the winger was away. He was caught by full-back Brent Grose but was able to off-load to the supporting Willie Talau, who sprinted clear to score.
Michael Sullivan dropped the ball in a promising position on the second tackle as Warrington looked to strike back, but they were fortunate not to concede another try just before the break.
Grose popped up the football deep inside his own 20 and Sean Long sent Paul Anderson trundling over, only for the score to be suprisngly ruled out for an alleged forward pass.
Warrington finally broke the Saints defensive line when Briers sent a delicate cross-kick dropping into the arms of Henry Fa'afili to score his 6th try of the season.
Saints hit back just before the hour mark when Lyon sent Ade Gardner crashing over in the corner.
The match swung once more on 62 minutes when Jason Hooper was sin-binned for a late hit on Briers and straight from the tap penalty the stand-off put Mike Wainwright over with a beautifully delayed pass.
The Wolves scented blood but they could not force their way over the line again and once Hooper returned it was Saints who finished the stronger, Lyon slotting a penalty to settle any late nerves.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen remained upbeat insisting his side could take plenty of positives from the game.
"We are very encouraged by the effort and over the full 80 minutes we were just one play short."
"That's a very good St Helens side who tested our defence and it held for the vast majority of the game.
"There's an awful lot of improvement left in this side yet because tonight went down to just one play over 80 minutes."
Warrington (0) 10.
Tries: Fa'afili, Wainwright.
Goals: Briers.
St Helens (12) 18.
Tries: Cunningham, Talau, Gardner.
Goals: Lyon 3.
Att: 13,024
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Wigan Warriors 12 Warrington Wolves 24
Briers puts
the boot in
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON'S inspirational skipper Lee Briers put the boot in as the Wolves recorded their first ever Super League victory at Wigan.
In fact it was Warrington's first win at Wigan since 1993!
Briers put the boot in as the Wolves soaked up early pressure before going in 6-12 at the break thanks to tries from winger Ritchie Barnett and half back Chris Bridge. Briers weighed in with two great conversions.
In the second half Briers kicked four drop goals to seal victory.
Such a result was not on the cards after the home side had been in total control of the opening quarter of the contest.
With skipper Sean O'Loughlin back in the pack, Wigan made all the early running as they looked to get their season back on track.
It was debutant Bryan Fletcher who finally rewarded the Warriors' dominance when he accepted a short pass from Danny Orr to score just three minutes after coming off the bench.
Danny Tickle added the conversion to make it 6-0, only for Warrington to answer straight back with a try of their own with a rare foray into their opponents' half.
Briers' superb long ball out wide allowed Toa Kohe-Love to send in Barnett to give the vocal away support something to cheer about. Skipper Briers converted the first try and was on target again shortly before the interval after Chris Bridge kicked ahead twice and beat Brett Dallas to the loose ball to score.
A 12-6 half-time lead boosted the Wolves' confidence and they came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second 40 minutes.
Briers scored the first points of the half with his opening drop goal of the night and he then extended the lead by two more points with a penalty after he was taken out late by Wayne Godwin.
The hooker was sin-binned for his challenge as Wigan struggled to get back into the contest with only 12 men on the field. A pair of drop goals from Briers made it 17-6 and Warrington put the game beyond the hosts when Henry Fa'afili was sent free to cross on the wing. Briers added the conversion.
Wigan did manage to grab a late consolation score through Wayne Godwin, although it was rightly Briers who had the last laugh when he slotted over his fourth drop goal in the dying seconds.
Wigan (6) 12.
Tries: Fletcher, Godwin.
Goals: Tickle, Moran.
Warrington (12) 24.
Tries: Barnett, Bridge, Fa'afili.
Goals: Briers 4.
Drop Goals: Briers 4.
Att: 16,640
Warrington Wolves 26 Catalans Dragons 28
Wolves must learn
no easy games!
WARRINGTON Wolves will quickly have to learn there are no "easy" games in Super League after being left red faced by lowly French newcomers Catalans Dragons.
Despite scoring first when Jon Clarke strolled through a gaping hole in the visitors defence, the Wolves soon found themselves trailing 6-16.
Four tries without reply, the first just before the interval, should have seen the Wolves get out of jail. But they again took their foot off the gas and allowed Les Catalans to snatch a dramatic victory.
"We carried too many individuals tonight who have let us down very badly.
"You could see from the first set that we were going to play soft."
After heavy back-to-back defeats at home to Bradford and Leeds, the Dragons were given little chance of upsetting the odds against a Warrington side still on a high after their historic win at Wigan.
However, the form book was thrown out of the window in a see-saw game that could have gone either way.
It appeared Warrington would be picking up the two points when three tries at the start of the second half put them in control. But the Dragons refused to be beaten and Adel Fellous' try on 71 minutes was converted by Michael Dobson to ensure the small section of travelling supporters would be heading home happy.
Clarke's opening try from close range was converted by Lee Briers but it did not dampen the Dragons' spirit, as they drew level when winger Justin Murphy got on the end of Gregory Mounis' kick to grab his first of the night.
Dobson converted from the touchline and, buoyed by their efforts, Les Catalans shocked the hosts with two tries in a seven-minute spell. Thomas Bosc finished off a flowing move to go in for the first and that was soon followed by a try from substitute prop Lionel Teixido.
A second successful kick from Dobson put them 16-6 up and they looked set to go in with a comfortable cushion at the break until Chris Bridge slipped through their defences to score. That try at the end of the opening 40 minutes boosted the Wolves' confidence and they raced into the lead after the re-start.
Martin Gleeson's quick pass sent Henry Fa'afili over on the right for the winger's eighth try of the campaign.
Ben Westwood crossed soon after and when Toe Kohe-Love danced through to score, Warrington looked likely to run away with the game.
However, led by the excellent Julien Rinaldi, the Dragons climbed off the canvas to claim an unlikely victory. Murphy galloped in 40 metres to complete his brace and when Fellous barged his way over from close to the line the scores were level.
Dobson, a recent signing to replace the injured Stacey Jones, held his nerve to slot over his fourth conversion and gave Les Catalans an historic first away victory.
Warrington (10) 26.
Tries: Clarke, Bridge, Fa'afili, Westwood, Kohe-Love.
Goals: Briers 3.
Catalans Dragons (16) 28.
Tries: Murphy 2, Bosc, Teixido, Fellous.
Goals: Dobson 4.
Att: 9,631
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com & George Thorton
Legends honoured
Legends honoured
by Gary Skentelbery
FOUR former Warrington legends have been inducted into a special hall of fame.
Former scrum-half Parry Gordon, who starred for the Wire in more than 500 games scoring 167 tries and one goal, was on hand to receive his award from Warrington Past Players Chairman Nobby Clarke, during a special sportsman's dinner at the Tetley Walker Club in the town.
The event, hosted by another Wire great, Kevin Ashcroft, raised more than £1,600 for the Past Players Association. Guest speakers were England and Derbyshire cricketer Geoff Miller, now an MCC selector and comedian Trevor Wallis from Westhoughton.
Fundraising included a raffle of various items included a signed photo of England Rugby Union star Fran Cotton, donated by another Wire legend Mike Nicholas.
Joining Parry, who starred for the Wire from 1963 to 1981 in the hall of fame, were Albert Naughton, the tough tackling centre signed from Widnes in 1949 for a then world record fee of £4,600 and George Thomas, a Welsh forward who was signed from Newport in 1903 and holds the record for the most points scored by a forward, when he scored 33 from five tries and nine goals against St Helens in 1909. He was tragically killed in action on the Somme in 1916 aged just 35.
The fourth place went to Mike Gregory who skippered club and country before moving on for a successful coaching career. It is hoped to arrange a special presentation to Mike at the Halliwell Jones at a later date.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 21 Warrington Wolves 22
Wolves snatch victory
with dramatic comeback
By Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves produced one of their greatest ever second-half fightbacks to snatch a dramatic 22-21 at Wakefield.
Young half-back Chris Bridge was the hero for the Wolves with two tries and three conversions to help his side climb off the canvas after finding themselves 21-0 at the break. His performance overshadowed that of Trinity's Jamie Rooney, who had been the star of the show in the first 40 minutes as the Wildcats built up a commanding lead.
Warrington made a promising start to the match but it was Wakefield who took the lead against the run of play thanks to Semi Tadulala's try. Rooney added the conversion and, after slotting over an easy penalty, went on to grab two tries of his own in the space of six minutes.Both conversions were on target from Rooney, who finished the half with a drop goal to take his personal tally to 17 points.
Yet such a commanding half-time lead wasn't enough for the home team as they crumbled under relentless Warrington pressure in the second half.
Toa Kohe-Love's early try after the re-start set the nerves jangling amongst the home fans, even when Lee Briers managed to miss the easy conversion.
When Bridge danced his way to the line and then converted his own score, Warrington suddenly found themselves trailing by just 11 with a quarter of the match still to go.
Logan Swann crashed over from close range to cut the gap even further and Bridge, taking over the kicking duties from Briers, converted the score.
After being so dominant before the break, Wakefield barely managed to get out of their own half and it was no surprise when Bridge grabbed the all-important fourth try for the Wolves as he managed to ground Briers' well-weighted grubber kick.
With the pressure on, the former Bradford Bull held his nerve to slot over the extras to complete a remarkable comeback.
Wakefield (21) 21.
Tries: Tadulala, Rooney 2.
Goals: Rooney 4.
Drop Goals: Rooney.
Warrington (0) 22.
Tries: Kohe-Love, Bridge 2, Swann.
Goals: Bridge 3.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Warrington Wolves 52 London Skolars 0
Wolves show
no mercy
By Sport staff
WARRINGTON Wolves showed no mercy as they powered past National League Two side London Skolars 52-0 with a 10 try romp at the Halliwell Jones in the Powergen Challenge Cup.
The Skolars were playing their first game against Super League opponents, and drew a blank as the Wolves made eight changes as Head Coach Paul Cullen rested a number of his senior players. But the youngsters made the most of their opportunity by piling on the points.
Teenage winger Chris Riley helped himself to two tries while fellow 18-year-old Ben Harrison and Andy Bracek, 19, were also among the try scorers.Richie Barnett, Chris Bridge and Stuart Reardon all touched down, along with Mark Gleeson, Danny Lima, Steve Pickersgill and Michael Sullivan, as the Wolves went past the half century mark.
After the match skipper for the day Paul Noone said: "We stuck to our game plan and a win is a win.
"It is the first time I have played against a team and didn't know any of the opposition. But they were big lads and played brilliantly. We've got a good squad of 26 players here and it was good to see some of the younger lads get a chance."
Full-back Brent Grose was taken off as a precaution after "tweaking" a ham-string. It allowed Simon Grix to make his first team debut after coming back from a serious ankle injury.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Bradford Bulls 18 Warrington Wolves 22
Wolves out muscle
Bulls again!
by Gary Skentelbery
A DELIGHTED Wolves Coach Paul Cullen hailed Warrington's victory at Bradford the best performance of their campaign as they out muscled the Bulls in the Odsal mud bath.
It was Warrington's third consecutive victory over the Bulls and the second at the home of the world club Champions and Super League title holders.
"It was a great team effort in very difficult conditions," said Cullen. "It has to be our best performance of the season.
"It's always a very difficult place to compete, let alone win but we're very proud of the fact that we completed back-to-back wins over Bradford and now that's three which is a very impressive record."
Warrington were inspired by a man-of-the-match performance by skipper Lee Briers whose goal-kicking was the difference between the two sides.The half-back produced a sterling all-round showing, typified by a crunching tackle on Bradford's powerhouse winger Lesley Vainikolo.
Cullen was full of praise for Briers, saying: "Lee Briers against Lesley Vainikolo is not usually an even contest but physically and mentally he stood up today, as he does on the vast majority of occasions."
The Bulls twice held the lead early on through a Karl Pryce double. Lesley Vainikolo almost opened the scoring in the first minute but was adjudged not to have grounded the ball having raced on to a chip-kick. The Bulls weren't to be denied for long and drew first blood when Pryce was presented with a simple chance to pick up and score after Henry Fa'afili failed to collect a kick from Paul Deacon.
Warrington bounced back when former Bull Chris Bridge collected a Briers kick to touch down under the posts. Briers added the extras to edge the visitors ahead.
But another defensive blunder from the Wolves allowed Bradford back with Paul Wood spilling Paul Deacon's kick-off on his own try-line.
They looked to have seen out the set of six, but Pryce produced a great pick-up on the half-volley to collect and cruise over in the corner.Woods made amends for his blunder on 20 minutes with a try of his own ashe powered over from close range thanks to a smart off-load from Logan Swann - Briers' conversion gave Wolves a four-point advantage.
It was a lead they were to extend ten minutes later when Martin Gleeson showed good strength to burst through and past the tackle of full-back Michael Withers to score behind the posts.
With Briers adding another successful kick, the Wolves went in at the break 18-8 to the good. The Bulls needed a fast start to the second period and they got it. Deacon looked like he would score but, when he was pulled down just short, the ball was spun out to Joe Vagana who bulldozed his way over despite the best efforts of Michael Sullivan.
The Odsal crowd clearly expected their side to go on and win from there, but Warrington once again refused to lie down and man-of-the-match Briers inspired another try.
The half-back intercepted a long pass from Deacon and burst clear. With his legs fading he offloaded to Fa'afili who was brought down just short. However, with the Bulls scrambling to get back, Briers picked up at the play-the-ball and waited before cleverly sending in Fa'afili who slid into the corner from a couple of yards out.
Bradford set up a grandstand finish when they took advantage of three quick penalties conceded by Warrington. It allowed them deep into Wolves territory and Iestyn Harris spun the ball out wide to namesake Ben, who dived over to cut the lead back to four with a quarter of an hour remaining. But the Wolves held on for a famous victory.
Bradford (8) 18.
Tries: Pryce 2, Vagana, B. Harris.
Goals: Deacon.
Warrington (18) 22.
Tries: Bridge, Wood, M. Gleeson, Fa'afili.
Goals: Briers 3.
Att: 11,136
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Castleford Tigers 6 Warrington Wolves 64
Briers helps set
new records
SKIPPER Lee Briers proved to be the match winner as he re-wrote the record books with yet another man-of-the match performance as the Wolves mauled the Tigers 6-64.
The inspirational half-back, who is knocking loudly on the Great Britain selectors door, was in oustanding form as the Wolves re-wrote the record books at the Jungle - inflicting a club record defeat on the hapless Tigers, while also setting a club record away win.Briers also weighed in with a club Super League record equalling 10 goals and a try for good measure as he master-minded a stunning victory.
It was in stark contrast to the Good Friday clash with Salford at the Haliwell Jones as the visitors recorded a 6-26 victory. With Briers missing through injury, the Wolves could not open up the visitor's defence and were caught on the break with all the points coming in the first half.
Winger Henry Fa'fili scored the Wolves only try and continued his impressive scoring run with two more tries at Castleford.
Meanwhile opposite winger Stuart Reardon looks to be recapturing the kind of form which saw him in the Great Britain line-up, as he pulled off two stunning try saving tackles against Salford and added a third at Castleford. Aussied scrum-half Michael Sullivan is also starting to impress and was unlucky to be on the losing side against Salford.
Warrington Wolves 27 Bradford Bulls 4
Wolves maul Bulls
at the double
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: Neil Ashurst
WARRINGTON Wolves completed a "double double" over Bradford Bulls, with their fourth consecutive victory over the Super League and World Club Champions.
Despite missing several keys players through injury, including former Bulls Chris Bridge and Toa Kohe-Love the Wolves were in rampant form as they ensured Steve McNamara had a losing start as Bradford coach with a stunning 27-4 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Wolves soaked up some fierce second-half pressure as they led 10-4 at the break and showed their stamina as pulled away in the closing stages to complete the double over their Yorkshire rivals who they also beat at Odsal two weeks ago, backing up last season's double.
Having opened up an early ten-point lead thanks to tries from Martin Gleeson and Ben Westwood, Warrington were made to work as Bradford came back with a Marcus Bai try.But despite their best efforts, that proved Bradford's only score of the afternoon as Warrington eased clear in the final 10 minutes through scores from Paul Wood, Martin Gleeson and Lee Briers. Warrington assumed control after a hectic opening quarter-hour that saw two tries and two men sin-binned.
Bradford's Terry Newton was the first man to be shown the yellow card after just two minutes, although it was harsh on the hooker as Brett Ferres appeared to be the Bulls man who had caught Briers with a high shot.
The hosts needed no second invitation to capitalise on their numerical advantage with Briers sending over Gleeson for the opening score of the match.
Referee Ashley Klein soon levelled matters up when he sent Mike Wainwright to the sin-bin for preventing Bradford from making a quick restart.
It didn't affect the Wolves who extended their lead when Westwood raced on to a clever Briers kick to touch down under the posts, Briers added the extras.
Bradford did make some inroads into the deficit before the interval when Iestyn Harris flighted a pass out wide for Bai to power over in the corner.
Briers had chances to edge his side further ahead but failed with a penalty and a couple of drop-goal efforts early in the second period, but Warrington continued to produce some superb defence to keep their opponents at bay.
Briers finally relieved some of the pressure when he slotted a drop-goal at the third time of asking with 11 minutes remaining and that seemed to open the floodgates as Jon Clarke sent Wood over.
Minutes later Gleeson burst clear to surge in from 20 metres and Briers put a real gloss on the scoreline by crossing himself in the very last minute.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Warrington Wolves 44 Leeds Rhinos 16
Wolves stun Rhinos
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
WARRINGTON'S big guns are certainly firing on all cylinders as Prop Paul Rauhihi at last showed the kind of form which saw him help the Kiwis defeat Australia in the Tri Nations final.
Rauhihi was unstoppable as he capped a fine performance with a try and off-loaded the ball at will against the hapless Leeds defence.
Fellow new signing Rob Parker also continued to impress with a brace of tries while flying winger Henry Fa'afili raced in for a hat-trick of tries as Warrington moved up to fourth in the table.
Second placed Leeds started brightly enough with young winger Lee Smith going over in the corner after the visitors capitalised on a mistake from Richie Barnett.
However, it was all Wolves for the remainder of the half with the home side running in a total of five tries as as Fa'afili struck first going over in the corner for his 13th try of the season.
Just minutes later the rampaging Rauhihi collected Jon Clarke's pass before surging over under the sticks brushing off a weak Ryan Bailey challenge in the process.Leeds had no answer to Wolves' attack and the impressive Jon Clarke burrowed his way over from close range shrugging off a poor tackle from Shane Millard.
Even at 16-6 up the home side maintained their intense pressure with Barnett making up for his earlier mistake by scoring in the corner following a sweeping move.
Leeds were looking to see out the remainder of the half, but a Chev Walker mistake conceded possession and with the visitors expecting a Lee Briers drop goal, Rob Parker burst through to score a super try.
The visitors pulled a try back shortly after the re-start when Burrow broke through the line before outsprinting Barnett for the four-pointer with the aid of the video referee.
Leeds could have added another on the hour mark when Gareth Ellis burst through the line, but with options available he was stopped by Rauhihi who also stripped the ball in a one-on-one challenge.
That was as close as the Rhinos came to mounting a fightback with Parker and Fa'afili's second tries of the game extending Wolves' lead to 38-10.
The Rhinos did pull one try back in the closing stages when McGuire dived over the line after a run from dummy half from Matt Diskin but Warrington had the final say with Fa'afili intercepting McGuire's ambitious pass to run unchallenged under the sticks to complete a fine individual performance.
Warrington (28) 44.
Tries: Fa'afili 3, Rauhihi, Clarke, Barnett, Parker 2. Goals: Briers 6.
Leeds (6) 16.
Tries: Smith, Burrow, McGuire. Goals: Burrow, Smith.
Att: 11,753
Les Catalans 16 Warrington Wolves 44
Wolves slay Dragons
by Gary Skentelbery
INSPIRATIONAL Lee Briers was once again the architect behind a stunning Warrington victory - and one wonders what he has to do to catch the eye of Great Britain Coach Brian Noble.
Briers responded to being overlooked by Great Britain by leading Warrington to a 44-16 victory over Les Catalans, as he kicked the home side into submission as the Wolves wiped out the memory of their shock home defeat to the Dragons back in round six.
That defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is the only reverse Warrington have suffered in their last six outings and they looked in no mood to be beaten again by the French outfit.
But victory came at a price with the loss of forward Rob Parker with a shattered cheekbone.
Parker was rushed to hospital with a fractured cheekbone and is likely to be out of action for at least six weeks.
Haed Coach Paul Cullen said: "The trip to France has been outstanding for us with the exception of a serious injury to one of our players. Rob Parker has a very nasty shattered cheekbone and could be out for six to eight weeks, although that is an estimate at this moment in time."
Meanwhile Briers, who is now the league's top points machine, certainly appeared to have a point to prove after missing out on international recognition when he wasn't named in a 36-man GB party for the June test against New Zealand.He set up the opening four tries for the Wolves and then grabbed one of his own in the second half to go alongside his eight successful kicks.
Brent Grose was the first to benefit from Briers' kicking skills as he gathered up a grubber kick on the left to open the scoring.
Mike Wainwright also got on the score sheet thanks to the skipper's boot and he then showed his ability with ball in hand as he dummied his way past two defenders to set up Logan Swann.
The Dragons did manage to score two tries of their own in the opening half to stay in touch. Justin Murphy and Jamal Fakir both finished off excellent moves to leave Mick Potter's side only six points down at the break.
But the second 40 minutes turned into one way traffic as the Wolves ripped through the home defence.
A Briers penalty got the scoring underway after the interval and then he displayed his excellent kicking game with a well-weighted stab through for Simon Grix.
Alex Chan found one way to stop the former St Helens player but his late hit only resulted in him being sent to the sin bin.
Warrington immediately took advantage of the extra man with Ben Westwood's excellent run giving Briers the chance to get the try his display deserved.
The forward also laid on a score for Paul Wood before going over himself from close range and not even a late consolation for the Dragons from Murphy could take the shine off another impressive Wolves display.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Catalans Dragons (12) 16.
Tries: Murphy 2, Fakir.
Goals: Dobson 2.
Warrington (18) 44.
Tries: Grose, Wainwright, Swann, Grix, Briers, Wood, Westwood.
Goals: Briers 8.
Att: 5,877
St Helens 34 Warrington 22
Defensive blunders cost
Wolves victory
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON paid the penalty for some first half defensive blunders as they went down 34-22 to table topping St Helens.
But the brave Wolves nearly produced the greatest Super League comeback of all time as they pushed the Saints all the way in a pulsating second-half fight back.
Both teams were missing key players but Warrington looked to have blown the chance of their first ever Super League victory at Knowsley Road as Saints stormed into a 24-6 half-time lead with three quick fire tries before the break.
Having failed to defeat St Helens in their 15 Super League meetings, the chances of a turnaround appeared slim for a depleted Warrington line-up.
But inspired by skipper Lee Briers Warrington refused to give in and came close to completing an amazing turnaround with three second-half tries.
It was only when Ade Gardner intercepted a pass to go the length of the field for his second try of the match that St Helens could breathe a sigh of relief knowing they had survived an almighty scare.
Warrington started brightly enough grabbing the first try of the match as Michael Sullivan fought his way over the line after Mark Gleeson's darting run from dummy half.
The lead did not last long, though, as Gilmour pushed the hosts back in front with his first of the night when he claimed Sean Long's up-and-under on the left after out jumping Henry Fa'afili.
The 8-4 scoreline reflected that there was little to choose between the two teams, yet suddenly Saints blew the match wide open with a three-try burst in the space of seven minutes. Gilmour grabbed the first of the treble when he was left with a simple finish after a fine burst down the middle from substitute James Roby.
The former Wigan and Bradford forward could even have had a hat-trick just minutes later but he unselfishly chose to offload the ball for winger Gardner to canter over in the corner. After working so hard, Warrington suddenly found themselves in all sorts of trouble and it got even worse before half time. A huge hole down the middle of their defence allowed Vinnie Anderson to gallop over and, with Lyon slotting over his fifth successful kick, the Wolves went in at the break trailing 26-4.Warrington did score first after the break through Fa'afili and, with Saints carelessly coughing up possession, Ritchie Barnett's try soon after suddenly gave them renewed hope of an amazing comeback. Briers' conversion meant the gap was down to 10 points and suddenly a mood of panic gripped the majority of the crowd at Knowsley Road.
The nerves certainly seemed to be getting to the players too, particularly Leon Pryce as he gifted Warrington a penalty try with a rash tackle on Barnett when the winger appeared likely to win the race to a loose ball over the try line.
A Lyon's penalty finally got Saints on the board in the second half and put a six-point gap between the two teams going into the final few minutes.
The Wolves bravely fought on but, in their attempts to find a try to level the scores and Stuart Reardon looked to be on his way to the line to snatch a draw but gifted an interception try to Gardner who raced the length of the field to clinch the two points.
St Helens (26) 34. Tries: Gilmour 2, Gardner 2, V. Anderson. Goals: Lyon 6, Long.
Warrington (4) 22. Tries: Sullivan, Fa'afili, Barnett. Goals: Briers 3.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Warrington Wolves 46 Whitehaven 2
Wolves cruise
into quarters
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON cruised into the quarter-finals of the Powergen Challenge Cup thanks to a business like 46-2 demoltion of National League One side Whitehaven.
Warrington went ahead after eight minutes against Head Coach Paul Cullen's former club when Jon Clarke and Lee Briers combined to hand Logan Swann the simplest of scoring opportunities.
Briers kicked the extras before a 30-metre penalty from Carl Rudd allowed Whitehaven to register their only points of the afternoon.After two disallowed efforts Warrington went further ahead when a powerful run from Prop Danny Lima resulted in Paul Wood scoring emphatically under the posts.
Five minutes before the break Martin Gleeson scored Warrinton's third, with Briers subsequently making it three conversions out of three.
Then on the stroke of half-time Brent Grose powered over for a try again converted by Briers.
Some fine team work saw replacement Mark Gleeson score 10 minutes after the restart, with Paul Noone converting.
The visitors threw everything into pressuring their hosts, but their attempts to turn defence into attack ultimately proved futile when Clarke scored another for Warrington.
Briers converted before scoring himself on 72 minutes - his conversion attempt on this occasion rebounding off the post.
Michael Sullivan then sent Clarke through for his second score in the last minute.
Warrington (24) 46.
Tries: Swann, Wood, M. Gleeson, Grose, M. Gleeson, Clarke, Briers, Sullivan. Goals: Briers 6, Noone.
Whitehaven (2) 2.
Goals: Rudd.
Att: 4,751
Warrington 46 Castleford 28
Briers works
his magic
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
SKIPPER Lee Briers was once again in magical form as he led Warrington to a comfortable 46-28 victory over Castleford Tigers.
And when he was taunted by the Castleford fans with chants of "You'll never play for Britain" he responded with a typical interception try to silence the terraces.
The match was over as a contest by the interval as Warrington, after a slow start which saw the visitors take the lead, stormed ahead 26-6.
Although the Tigers did make a fight of it in the second period, three more tries from Warrington, including Briers' magical interception, ensured they ran out worthy winners.Castleford hit the front on eight minutes when winger Waine Pryce sent over Michael Shenton from close range - Craig Huby added the extras.
The Wolves hit back within five minutes when Henry Fa'afili did well to touch down in the corner and they moved ahead on the 20-minute mark when Briers fed Logan Swann for a walk over try.
Briers slotted the conversion to make the score 10-6 and was beginning to orchestrate from half-back with some superb kicking. Indeed, his shrewd footwork allowed Jon Clarke to score Warrington's third try, the hooker gathering and charging over on 28 minutes.
Another Briers training ground kick set up Richie Barnett who raced clear for number four and then centre Brent Grose strolled over in the left corner a minute before the break to give the hosts complete control.
Perhaps Warrington believed it was job done as Castleford did reduce the arrears three minutes after the interval when Shenton claimed his second try of the afternoon by touching down Ryan McGoldrick's kick, but Grose rapidly matched Shenton's feat to ensure they remained very much at arm's length.
Warrington then moved up a gear as Paul Wood bulldozed his way over on 56 minutes to stretch an already comfortable advantage.
But once again Castleford rallied with Peter Lupton going over and when Deon Bird finished off Danny Ward's excellent work to score on 64 minutes and the Tigers sensed an unlikely comeback.
Briers eased Warrington nerves when he slotted a penalty, but when Danny Sculthorpe bundled his way over on 70 minutes Castleford were withing 12 points at 40-28.
But upstepped captain fantastic and Briers capped a fine individual display with the try that finished the match, intercepting on half-way before scampering home - and silencing the travelling fans!
After the game Head Coach Paul Cullen admitted he was a little concerned by the number of points the team had leaked in the second half but on the whole was pleased with a "job done."
Hull KR 40 Warrington 36
"Shocking" Wolves bow
out of Challenge Cup
By Gary Skentelbery
“THE best team won by a mile. I thought we were shocking.”
Wolves’ coach Paul Cullen’s comment after his team’s shock exit from the Powergen Challenge Cup at the hands of National League One leaders Hull KR could hardly have been made clearer.
He refused to blame the absence of injured skipper Lee Briers – heaped praise on the victors who, he said, had outplayed Warrington in every department – and was bitter in his criticism of his own players.
“The defeat is difficult enough to take in its own right, but our lack of fight sickens me to the stomach.
“We treated Hull KR with the respect their very proud record deserved, but my players simply didn’t turn up for work.” They were harsh words – possibly a little too harsh given that it was Hull KR’s 18th win in a row.
But the game certainly cast into doubt the so-called gulf between National League and Super League.
The home side were simply too strong for Wolves on the day.
It may be that Warrington’s early lead, through tries from Logan Swann inspired complacency. But it shouldn’t have done, for Ben Cockayne and Makali Aizue swiftly put Rovers 12-10 ahead.
Wolves went briefly ahead again through tries from Stuart Reardon and Martin Gleeson but Jon Goddard and Byron Ford put Rovers ahead 24-22 at the interval.
In the second half, Ford landed two further tries and Dwayne Barker and Gareth Morton added two more. Henry Fa’afili and Michael Sullivan hit back for Wolves – but that was not enough.
In the goal scoring department honours were equal with Rovers’ Morton and Wolves Chris Bridge scoring four each.
After the match, Cullen did his best not to say anything that would detract from Rovers’ performance.
He said: “They’ve beaten us from the first to the last and completely outfought us in every part of the game.”
Harlequins 30 Warrington Wolves 28
Woeful Wolves leave
it too late!
DESPITE a late show of three tries in the closing six minutes inspired by substitute half-back Simon Grix, Warrington left it too late to snatch anything from the Harlequins.
It was another mainly woeful performance from a Warrington outfit which appears to have lost its way.
The forwards failed to dominate while the defence was on occasions none existent.
An old saying from the Wilderspool days was "defence wins games" and this is something Head Coach Paul Cullen, who was renowned for his defence work as a player, needs to work on.
Opponents who have been studying Warrington matches this season are easily picking up on the weaknesses, particularly with the high ball on the last tackle, which both wingers, Henry Fa'fili and Ritchie Barnett and struggling to deal with.
After the latest set back Cullen said his team also needed to be more ruthless in attack.
For long periods Warrington dominated the match, particularly in the first period but an inability to take their chances let them down.
"Losing by a penalty 30-28 is very hard. But we had so many chances to win and we didn't take them. We had two tries disallowed in the first 10 minutes!
"We've been through their line on many, many occasions, but Harlequins' scrambling defence were always there and they always found someone to make a tackle.
"We are not working hard enough to finish games. Some players are looking around asking who is going to win games for us? We cannot rely on Lee Briers all the time."
Cullen singled out replacement Simon Grix after he came on to score two late tries and he could be set for a starting role in the near future.
"Simon Grix did more in his 10 minutes off the bench than he did in his whole stint last week against Hull KR.
"There are a number of players vying to play at half-back and he is one of them."
Warrington began the brighter and could have had two early tries but Martin Gleeson then Ben Westwood had efforts ruled out, the first for a forward pass before Westwood was harshly adjudged to have made a double movement.
In the sixth minute winger Henry Fa'afili looked to be in but second row Michael Worrincy had the legs on him and Toa Kohe-Love also had a race to the line, but he was stopped by Luke Dorn's last-ditch tackle.
The Quins finally went on the attack and duly opened the scoring with the impressive Worrincy cutting inside to go over and Henry Paul added the two points.
Three minutes later Rob Purdham, a tryscorer in his last three home clashes with the Wolves, was at it again as he produced a magnificent run from the halfway line.
Purdham took a pass from Paul, after the Kiwi's kick had struck a Warrington player, and went on a mazy run which saw him race clear to the line for the outstanding try of the afternoon.
Logan Swann almost set up a reply for the Wolves but Nick Bradley-Qalilawa hacked the ball to safety and Purdham averted a Richie Barnett touchdown with a strong tackle.
Then, with the half coming to a close, Kohe-Love threw a terrible pass to Barnett as another chance went begging.
The second half started more promisingly for Warrington when Lee Briers, his leg heavily strapped due to a hamstring problem, intercepted a stray pass from Paul and sprinted 70 metres to the line for his sixth try of the season.
Patrick Weisner extended the lead, crossing for the fourth straight game before Paul grabbed his first try since returning from the union code.
The former Gloucester man, who also added a goal on the hour mark, threw a beautiful dummy to go in under the sticks and the Quins led by 26-6.
Swann claimed the visitors' second touchdown after a long pass from Briers but the result was sealed when Solomon Haumono stretched to just get the ball down on the line.
With the match now gone the Wolves finally clicked into gear, with Barnett finishing off a well-worked try before Simon Grix grabbed a fine individual effort.
Grix added a second a minute later after a good run by Mark Gleeson but it was too little too late for the Wolves.
Harlequins RL (12) 30.
Tries: Worrincy, Purdham, Weisner, Paul, Haumono.
Goals: Paul 5.
Warrington (0) 28.
Tries: Briers, Swann, Barnett, Grix 2.
Goals: Briers 4.
Att: 3,691
Players say goodbye
Past players say their fond farewells
by Gary Skentelbery
A host of former Warrington legends paid their last respects to Derek “Nobby” Clarke – the former Warrington player who went on to become the club’s trainer and was chairman of the Past Players Association.
Stars from the club's glittering past including Alex Murphy, Kevin Ashcroft, Mike Nicholas and Parry Gordon attended Nobby's funeral following his death in hospital after suffering a stroke.
There was standing room only at Walton Lea Crematorium with an estimated 200 mourners attending the funeral with the club represented by Chairman Lord Hoyle, Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe and other members of staff.
Affectionately known as “Nobby”, Derek, aged 70, had played an active role at Warrington RL Club for more than 40 years.He played four games at scrum-half in 1957-58 and was reserve to Gerry Helme.
After his playing career he became the club’s trainer during the 60s and 70s and was part of the all conquering 70s set-up under Alex Murphy.
But in recent years, he has been best known for his leadership of the Past Players Association, which he was instrumental in founding and which he ran almost single-handedly.
Although seriously ill with a tumour on his lung, he organised the last annual Past Players Sportsman’s Dinner at the Tetley Walker Club in Warrington in February this year and took his usual place on the top table.
A spokesperson for Warrington Wolves said: “.All at Warrington RLFC send their deepest condolences to Mr Clarke's family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the club and the game.”
Tributes to “Nobby” are pouring in from friends and colleagues – including some of Rugby League’s legendary figures from Warrington and further afield.
Although Rugby League was his first love, Derek was an all-round sportsman and in his younger days had played numerous sports at a high standard, including cricket, having at one time been on Lancashire's books.
A friend of many years said: "It is often said that two men were behind Warrington's glory years in the 70s - Sir Oswald Davies, who provided the money and Alex Murphy who was the coach who inspired success on the field.
"But there was a third man who never got much credit - Nobby Clarke who, as trainer, did so much as a steadying influence."
One little known story of Nobby Clarke is that after he finished training at Warrington he went to Lymm Rugby Union Club to train there - helping them to reach the final of the Cheshire Cup.
It is said that at the final he had to speak to the players through the changing room window because, in those days, there was still such animosity between the two rugby codes.
Warrington Wolves 16 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 17
Dismal defeat is real
test of character!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON's dismal defeat to relegation threatened Wakefield Trinity Wildcats is a real "test of character" according to Wolves boss Paul Cullen.
Cullen exonerated Lee Briers of any blame after his skipper missed an injury time penalty that would have brought a last gasp victory for the Wolves.
Briers had also missed two late conversions after Warrington fought back from 16-8 down as they left it too late.
Cullen said: "If it had gone over then we would have, quite simply and obviously, deserved to win the game - but it didn't," said Cullen, with the Wolves having lost three games in a row, including a humiliating Challenge Cup defeat at Hull KR.
"Lee Briers has won us more games than he has lost us and that's just one of those unfortunate situations. We've got to be big enough to take it and I'm sure we are.
"It's a real test of your character and ability when things aren't going your way. That was pretty obvious at Harlequins but at least we had a go today.
"We just need to keep working hard and being patient and it will come back."
But Briers was clearly carrying a leg injury as he failed to break clear with one of his trademark interceptions in the first half as the Wolves produced a mainly lack lustre performance.
Wakefield were by far the hungrier of the two teams and got their just desserts.
The Wolves are now hanging on to a top-six spot by their fingertips and on this evidence, talk of a first Grand Final appearance is wildly optimistic.
Warrington started the brighter and took an early lead when Jon Clarke and Briers combined to send Logan Swann over for the opening score.
Briers converted the try then stretched the lead to eight points after 17 minutes with a penalty.
But Wakefield refused to crumble and hit back strongly, scoring three tries to earn a 14-8 half-time lead.
Jon Clarke and Michael Korkidas were sin-binned for an off-the-ball clash as tempers heated up after the break in what was becoming an increasingly fractious encounter.
Rooney slotted over a 45-metre penalty to stretch Wakefield's lead before the Wolves roared back with a try from Mark Gleeson and then the levelling score from Richie Barnett in the left corner.
Briers missed both conversion attempts to ensure the scores stayed level into the closing stages. Rooney came up with a drop goal in the final minute and when Briers missed from 40 metres out, the Wolves trudged off the pitch with the boos ringing in their ears from the frustrated home fans.
Warrington (8) 16.
Tries: Swann, M. Gleeson, Barnett.
Goals: Briers 2.
Wakefield (14) 17.
Tries: Rooney, Tadulala, Halpenny.
Goals: Rooney 2.
Drop Goals: Rooney.
Att: 8,884
Wigan Warriors 30 Warrington Wolves 12
Wolves in freefall!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON'S season continued in freefall as they crashed 30-12 at basement club Wigan who were boosted by their new world record signing Stuart Fielden from the Bradford Bulls.
Super League's bottom side belied their lowly position with an impressive display against a Wolves side in freefall since they crashed out of the Challenge Cup to Hull KR.
After falling behind 12-0 early on, the Wolves did threaten a revival as they pulled to within two points by half-time.
However, Wigan were in no mood to let the chance of a rare win slip, running in three further tries to clinch the points and record back-to-back wins on home soil.
The arrival of Fielden for a world record fee approaching £450,000 gave out a clear message to the rest that the Warriors have little intention of dropping out of the top flight.
The Great Britain international enjoyed a solid performance on his debut and had a hand in Wigan's first try when his play the ball led to Iafeta Paleaaesina diving over.
The score was no more than the home side deserved after such a fast start and they doubled their advantage soon after when Nathan McAvoy went in.
McAvoy could have had a second soon after but he decided to go alone rather than pass to a wide open Brett Dallas on the wing.
That let-off was the lifeline that Warrington needed as they finally kicked into gear after rarely getting out of their half in the first 20 minutes.
Typically it was Lee Briers that led the way, the Wolves skipper throwing out a long pass for Simon Grix to score and then adding the first of two conversions.
A Michael Dobson penalty briefly pushed Wigan's lead out to eight points, but their defensive line was breached again before the break to leave the game evenly poised.
Calderwood made a mess of a high kick to hand Warrington excellent field position which led to Toa Kohe-Love sidestepping his way to the line.
But after a bright start to the second half Warrington ran out of steam allowing the Warriors to score three times unanswered.
Brett Dallas grabbed the first from a set move out wide and then skipper Sean O'Loughlin followed that up by taking Mickey Higham's offload to canter in - despite it appearing to be a forward pass.
Dobson knocked over his fourth conversion of the night to push the hosts 14 points clear with time running out and, unlike the first half, Warrington were unable to lift themselves off the canvas.
Brian Fletcher's late score put the icing on the cake for Wigan.
Wigan (14) 30
Tries: Paleaaesina, McAvoy, Dallas, O'Loughlin, Fletcher.
Goals: Dobson 5.
Warrington (12) 12.
Tries: Grix, Kohe-Love.
Goals: Briers 2.
Att: 16,103
Castleford 52 Warrington Wolves 26
Wolves hit rock bottom
in Jungle circus
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves hit rock bottom as they crashed to their fifth straight defeat - the worst run since Paul Cullen became head coach.
Cullen was furious with referee Steve Ganson after his side's 52-26 defeat to Castleford accusing the referee of contributing to the late chaos which saw four players leave the field as tempers reached boiling point.
He was also angry that the refree failed to consult the video referee when the Tigers winger Waine Pryce appeared to have bounced the ball when scoring just a minute into the contest.
Paul Wood and Ryan McGoldrick both saw red for fighting, just moments after Gray Viane and Ben Westwood had been sent to the bin for a similar offence.
"I thought the game was out of control from the moment Pryce's try was awarded without the courtesy of going to the video referee,” raged Cullen. “The game turned into a circus on the back of it.
"I am disappointed with the vast majority of what I've seen over the 80 minutes. The game had desperation and panic about it.
"Michael Sullivan's 80 minutes at hooker and the form of Mike Cooper, a 17-year-old prop on his debut, offered a glimmer of hope in what has been a nightmare of a day. We look like a group that is missing five of its best players."
But the real circus act was Warrington's defence which leaked nine tries to the relegation favourites.
A mistake on the opening kick-off allowed the Tigers to get their tails up and the referee decided Waine Pryce had dropped on top of a grubber kick to score, although television replays suggested the winger had bounced the ball down.
Another Warrington turnover allowed Willie Manu to sidestep his way over and Danny Brough crowned a dream start for Cas by pouncing on a loose ball to go in under the posts after Stuart Reardon had allowed a high kick to bounce.
At 16-0 down the Wolves suddenly realised they were off the coach and kicked into gear and answered back with two tries of their own through Rob Parker and Brent Grose.
A 40-20 from Lee Briers then seemed to put the visitors in striking distance for another, only for the television official to reverse the referee's decision and let Castleford off the hook.
Richard Fa'aoso made the most of excellent field position to crash his way over, only for Reardon to reply with a try for Warrington that cut the gap down to eight points.
But that proved to be as close as Warrington got before they crumbled to a heavy defeat.
Peter Lupton scored a try either side of the interval and with Brough converting both, Cas found themselves in total control.
The goal kicker then showed his ability kicking out of hand with a 40-20 that led to Michael Platt going over.
That was quickly followed up by a try for Adam Fletcher as he reeled in McGoldrick's kick to the corner to rub salt into Warrington's wounds.
With the game over as a contest the late action came mainly off the ball as tempers flared in the sunshine.
Referee Ganson decided to issue two red cards to try and calm things down as several players went toe-to-toe.
Michael Shenton did go over to bring up Castleford's half century in between the punch-ups to delight the home fans.
The final play of the match saw Warrington's Michael Cooper score on his debut, although it was a match both he and his team-mates will want to forget very quickly as their season falls apart.
Castleford (28) 52.
Tries: Pryce, Manu, Brough, Fa'aoso, Lupton 2, Platt, A. Fletcher, Shenton.
Goals: Brough 8.
Warrington (14) 26.
Tries: Parker, Grose, Reardon, Sullivan, Cooper.
Goals: Briers 3.
Att: 5,411
Warrington Wolves 30 Huddersfield Giants 26
Cullen breathes easier!
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures George Thornton
WARRINGTON ended their run of five consecutive defeats but were still less than convincing as they clung on to a 30-26 victory over relegation threatened Huddersfield Giants.
Plus points were the form of Simon Grix, who grabbed two tries, and hooker Michael Sullivan who again impressed.
But after building up a 22-4 half-time lead Warrington nearly threw the points away as the Giants bounced back.
After the match Head Coach Paul Cullen admitted a sense of relief.
"In the past four or fives weeks we've fallen to pieces but we didn't today. Discipline and defence have let us down quite badly over the last month but it's not because we don't train and play hard.
"We've suffered body blow after body blow, but there have been worse crises than we've had, and at least we had something in the bank before we hit the wall."The Wolves won with six senior players absent and Cullen added: "I've said to the guys, I'm delighted that we've not had to wait for any of the cavalry to arrive to get the win.
"The blokes who have been battered over the last month have stood up and come away with a win today. That's very important to us."
Both sides came into the contest short of confidence - Huddersfield had lost their last three - but after a cautious opening it was the Giants who made the breakthrough in the 18th minute, Robbie Paul's clever dummy and chip on the blind-side setting up a try in the corner for Kevin Brown.
The Wolves hit back within two minutes as Briers and Ben Westwood linked in midfield, before Gleeson completed a neat handling move by sending winger Henry Fa'afili over for his 18th try of the season.
Three minutes later Warrington went ahead, Briers setting up the chance with a 40-20 and Grix barging over from the scrum - although he dropped and re-gathered the ball and was somewhat fortunate that the video referee did not rule a knock-on.
Stuart Reardon wasted a chance to stretch the lead further when he made a blatant double movement in the act of scoring, but made almost immediate amends with a try on the half hour. Westwood's dummy run fooled the defence and Briers' pass gave Reardon the chance to trot over unopposed.
A minute later it was Michael Sullivan who turned creator, a neat run and offload sending Grix crashing over and a Briers penalty on the hooter completed an almost perfect second quarter for the Wolves.
But the second half was a different story as the Giants began to take advantage of a Warrington defence that hung back too much and fell off the tackle too often.
The Wolves gifted field position with a high shot on Martin Aspinwall and Andy Raleigh powered over beneath the sticks on the first tackle, before Brad Drew sent skipper Chris Thorman crashing over to set the alarm bells ringing in the home crowd.
But Warrington quickly came up with another try and this one was a beauty as Briers and Gleeson combined on the blind side for Fa'afili's second try.
On the hour Huddersfield produced a well-worked reply as Paul thew the dummy that created the space for Brown to go over for his second try.
Three minutes later Briers' crossfield kick was missed in the air by by Aspinwall and Toa Kohe-Love touched down unopposed.
That extended the lead to 10 points but nothing is straightforward with these Wolves and with the defence tiring, Huddersfield scored the try of the match, a length-of-the-pitch score from Raleigh that was completed in just two tackles.
With four minutes left the Wolves were limping home, but their defence stiffened just enough to keep the Giants out in a frantic finish.
Warrington (22) 30.
Tries: Fa'afili 2, Grix 2, Reardon, Kohe-Love.
Goals: Briers 3.
Huddersfield (4) 26. Tries: Brown 2, Raleigh 2, Thorman.
Goals: De Vere 3.
Att: 7,785
Hull FC 36 Warrington Wolves 24
Unlucky 13
for Wolves
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
HULL'S 13 th consecutive victory proved to be unlucky 13 for hard working Warrington who didn't really deserve to lose by such a scorleine in a closely contested match.
Hull have made a habit of winning games without being at their best and they were far from fluent against the Wolves.
Warrington were 18-0 down before they got into gear hitting back with two quick tries from Toa Kohe-Love and Logan Swann.But in a slow start Warrington's indiscipline cost them after just four minutes when they were caught offside. Paul Cooke saw winger Brent Grose hanging back and dabbed through a kick for Danny Washbrook to score his first Hull try.
Warrington were then under the cosh in the first 15 minutes but did force some pressure when Lee Briers' chip earnt them a drop-out, but a terrible pass from Stuart Reardon was intercepted by winger Gareth Raynor who raced 80 metres to score under the sticks.
Another penalty gifted Hull a third try when Michael Sullivan went high on Paul King. Five tackles later Cooke sent across a high kick and Motu Tony plucked it out of the air to score.
The Wolves could have crumbled at 18-0 down after 26 minutes but to their credit hit straight back as Briers' chip over the top was collected by former Hull man Kohe-Love.
On 33 minutes Warrington were back in the game after Sullivan won a clever penalty from King for not standing square.
That was the catalyst for the best try of the match as Gleeson's quick hands released Briers and Logan Swann was on his shoulder to take the pass and trot over unopposed.
But the momentum swung once more in the last minute of the half when Warrington failed to deal with a kick, Raynor hacked on and Shaun Briscoe gave Horne the ball under the posts for the record-breaking try.
Warrington dominated the opening exchanges of the second half but could not force the try that would have got them back into the contest, a superb try-saving tackle in the corner from Gareth Raynor on Henry Fa'afili summing up Hull's resolute defence.
With an hour gone Warrington finally got their reward when Brent Grose intercepted a Tommy Lee pass to score his 50th try for the Wolves.
But just four minutes later Lee redeemed himself with the score that halted Warrington's comeback. The Wolves defence again failed to deal with a Horne kick and Motu Tony collected to send Lee over.
Inevitably, that blow knocked some of the fight out of the Wolves and Briscoe's try from Dowes' break up the middle on 70 minutes wrapped up the contest.
But Warrington did manage a late consolation when Richie Barnett scored on his return to the KC Stadium from Briers' grubber kick, but by then the points belonged to Hull.
Hull (24) 36.
Tries: Washbrook, Raynor, Tony, R. Horne, Lee, Briscoe.
Goals: Cooke 6.
Warrington (12) 24.
Tries: Kohe-Love, Swann, Grose, Barnett.
Goals: Briers 4.
Att: 9,247
Warrington Wolves 22 Wigan 20
Wolves win thriller
report by Gary Skentelbery pictures George Thornton
A last gasp penalty from skipper Lee Briers handed Warrington the spoils in a thrilling derby victory over arch rivals Wigan.
Hundreds of fans, mainly from Wigan, missed the game which was a lock out with a capacity 13,024.
Victory brought an end to Wigan's five match winning streak leaving the relegation threatened Warriors hovering just above the drop.
But on this showing they are unlkiely to be relegated as they pushed the Wolves all the way in a pulsating encounter.
After Michael Dobson had kicked Wigan ahead, hooker Michael Sullivan slipped Martin Gleeson in to put the Wolves ahead after just six minutes.
Toa Kohe-Love extended Warrington's lead on 12 minutes just after Wigan skipper Sean O'Loughlin had knocked-on in a great position.But it was all Wigan from then on in the first half though as they piled on the pressure and forced The Wolves into three goal-line drop-outs.
Warrington hung on until half time though, and Briers kicked them 12-2 ahead two minutes after the restart.
Wigan came storming back with Dobson's grubber kick bouncing off a post for Danny Tickle to collect and touch down.
Briers again kicked a penalty to help Warrington but it was all level when O'Loughlin went over from another Dobson kick.
Warrington man-of-the match Paul Wood battled over the line to restore Warrington's lead in the 68th minute but Wigan again bounced back to level matters when Chris Ashton burst clear from halfway before going over.
With time running out Danny Orr and Dobson both launched drop goal attempts from 20 yards only to see the ball hit the crossbar and the other sail wide. Briers faired much better two minutes later when he converted his penalty chance to ensure Warrington cemented their play-off slot in fifth.
The penalty was awarded as Sullivan lined up a drop goal attempt but was tackled by Danny Tickle who was running back from an off-side position.
Warrington (10) 22.
Tries: M. Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Wood.
Goals: Briers 5.
Wigan (2) 20.
Tries: Tickle, O'Loughlin, Ashton.
Goals: Dobson 4.
Att: 13,024
Bradford 50 Warrington Wolves 22
Dismal Wolves
hammered by Bulls
by Gary Skentelbery
DISMAL defending saw Warrington Wolves crash to an embarrassing defeat with the game over as a contest within 15 minutes as Bradford Bulls rattled up 50 points.
The Bulls waltzed in for six tries during a clinical first half display when half the Warrington team looked like they were still on the coach.
On this showing Warrington can forget any Grand Final dream and will be lucky to make the top six!
The Wolves included four former Bradford players in their side - Logan Swann, Stuart Reardon, Toa Kohe-Love and Chris Bridge - but a woeful defensive effort during the opening period made it an evening to forget for Paul Cullen's men.
Bradford scored three tries in the opening quarter-of-an-hour to effectively end the game as a contest.
Prop Andy Lynch was first to touch down on six minutes when he collected his own grubber kick.
Two minutes later the hosts were in again, this time Karl Pryce finishing a flowing move involving Terry Newton and Marcus Bai.
After 15 minutes, ex Wolf Iestyn Harris set up Lesley Vainikolo to collect and touch down in the right corner, and nine minutes later Harris created another score with a perfectly timed offload to Brad Meyers.
Bradford old boy Reardon did provide some temporary respite for Warrington with a converted try on the half hour but the reprieve was short-lived.
Man-of-the match Newton sent Stanley Gene in on 38 minutes, before Shontayne Hape crossed in first half stoppage time for try number six following good work from Vainikolo.
Warrington improved after the interval and scored the first two tries through ex Bulls Bridge and Kohe-Love.
But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished by Bulls prop Joe Vagana's 56th minute try.
Bridge then claimed his second score of the game but two late tries from the tireless Newton put some gloss on the final scoreline.
Deacon converted both for his sixth and seventh goals of the evening as the Bulls reached the 50-point.
Bradford (32) 50
Tries: Lynch, Pryce, Vainikolo, Meyers, Gene, Hape, Vagana, Newton (2)
Goals: Deacon (7)
Warrington (6) 22 Tries: Reardon, Bridge (2), Kohe-Love
Goals: Briers (3)
Att: 11,469
Salford 35 Warrington Wolves 34
Wolves edged out
in thriller
by Gary Skentelbery
SALFORD made it a hat-trick of victories over the Wolves this season with a thrilling one point victory at the Willows.
A drop goal from Andrew Dunemann was the difference between two committed sides in a pulsating clash.
Salford are now favourites to clinch 5th spot ahead of the Wolves with just four games remaining.The Wolves looked set to end their jinx against the Reds as they led 12-22 early in the second half.
But some dismal defending undid all their good work as the home side ran in four unanswered tries in an 18 minute spell.
The Wolves gallantly led by their inspirational skipper Lee Briers fought back, but ran out of time.
The Wolves led at the break and stretched their advantage to 22-12 with a Chris Bridge try and a penalty from playmaker Briers.
But the Reds ran in four tries during a blistering 18-minute spell.
Warrington hit back through Michael Sullivan and Brent Grose but Dunemann's drop-goal kept the Reds clear.
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Salford: (12) 35
Tries: Finnigan, Haggerty, Coley (2), Moule, Robinson
Goals: Hodgson 5 Dunemann (DG)
Warrington: (14) 34
Tries: Briers, Wood, Grose (2), Bridge, Sullivan
Goals: Briers 5
Warrington Wolves 28 Harlequins 22
Wolves hang on
for vital win
by Gary Skentelbery Pictures: George Thornton
TWELVE man Warrington clung on to a vital victory which all but secured a top six finish despite a dismal run of form since their shock Challenge Cup exit.
With club cpatian Paul Rauhihi dismissed for a high tackle the Wolves were left clinging on in the final quarter as the visitors scrapped for points to avoid being dragged into the relegation dog fight.
Warrington started well and seemed set to secure a convincing triumph at one stage as they led 28-12 on the hour mark.But the sending off of Rauhihi handed Quins a route back into the game and they made life more than a little uncomfortable for their hosts.
Warrington Coach Paul Cullen looked a relieved man as his team held on to claim the points.
The Wolves were on the board first through Chris Bridge when Henry Paul's long pass was easily intercepted in his own half by Brent Grose who rumbled towards the line before offloading for Bridge to touch down next to the posts. With Lee Briers having added the extras Warrington wasted no time in extending their lead as Henry Fa'afili collected a loose ball after it had broken favourably following Martin Gleeson's blocked pass, to touch down in the corner. Briers once again converted to make the scoreline 12-0 after just eight minutes.
Despite picking up a wrist injury and despite being in obvious discomfort Briers stayed on the pitch to direct proceedings for his team.
Harlequins were reduced to 12 when Paul Sykes was binned for a professional foul, but it did not seem to affect them as they got back into the game with a score from Solomon Haumono who bulldozed over from close range.
But Warrington were in complete control by half-time as Toa Kohe-Love produced a spectacular diving finish to touch down Bridge's clever kick to the corner and then Logan Swann, put through by Briers, passed inside for youngster Andy Bracek to score his first Super League try after a spot of ball-juggling.
Trailing 22-6, Quins needed to score first in the second period and did when the ball was spun wide for winger Nick Bradley-Qalilawa to touch down, Paul's fine conversion from the touchline gave them added belief.
However Warrington hit back when Martin Gleeson slid home out wide to re-establish Wolves' comfortable lead.
But back came the Quins as Bradley-Qalilawa notched his second of the match after some fine work by former Warrington packman Paul Noone.
Rauhihi then received his marching orders for an ugly high shot and Chad Randall's score five minutes from time set up a barnstorming finish. But Quins could not make their numerical advantage count and slipped to what could prove a costly defeat for their season.
Warrington (22) 28
Tries: Bridge, Fa'afili, Kohe-Love, Bracek, M. Gleeson
Goals: Briers 4
Harlequins RL (6) 22
Tries: Haumono, Bradley-Qalilawa 2, Randall
Goals: Paul 3
Att: 7,375
Leeds 54 Warrington Wolves 16
Spineless Wolves
humbled again!
by Gary Skentelbery
IT'S hard to believe that some of these Warrington players who turned out at Headingley are actually playing for their futures!
To say this was a spineless performance is an under statement as the Wolves capitulated to another hugely embarrassing defeat- their ninth out of their last 10 trips on the road.
Somehow the Wolves have clung on to 6th spot in the table but on recent showings they should be down in the relegation battle!
With new signings Adrian Morley and Paul Johnson on their way some of the players who "turned out" at Headingley don't deserve to be able to pull on the primrose and blue again!
Only a miracle can see the club progress in the play offs this year.
Whatever happened in the cup defeat at Hull KR it has certainly transformed this Wolves outfit into a shadow of the side which triumphed over Leeds earlier in the season at the Halliwell Jones when they won 44-16.Now it was Warrington's turn to be the whipping boys (not for the first time this season) as the Rhinos celebrated the opening of the new Carnegie Stand with a 54-16 victory.
Sports minister Richard Caborn opened the new £7 million stand prior to kick off and the Rhinos produced a superb display to suggest it will prove money well spent.
Great Britain centre Keith Senior was the game's outstanding player, completing a fine hat-trick with a charge from within his own half in the final minute, although by then Warrington's paper thin defence was already on the Coach home!
Leeds scored nine tries in total with Scott Donald and Jamie Thackray geeting a brace and one apiece for Ali Lauitiiti and Ashley Gibson.
Warrington managed three tries of their own through Michael Sullivan, Richie Barnett and Logan Swann, as they slumped to their ninth defeat in 12 games.
Thackray opened the scoring when he touched down for his first try for the Rhinos in the eighth minute but the Wolves quickly responded when Chris Leikvoll sent Sullivan in to level things up.
The hosts produced a moment of magic on 16 minutes when Lauitiiti released Thackray on a run from within his own half that ended with the prop touching down for his second of the game.
Three minutes later the Rhinos took control as Donald crossed for their third try before the visitors kept in touch when Barnett took advantage of Chris Bridges' vision to score in the left corner.
Leeds then pulled away courtesy of a Kevin Sinfield penalty and tries from Lauitiiti and Gibson to secure a 30-10 lead at the interval.
Warrington started brightly after the break and gained reward with their third try on 45 minutes when Lee Briers released Swann for a run to the line. But Leeds were soon back on the offensive, and shortly after the hour Senior exploited weak defence down the left side to score twice in three minutes.
Paul Cullen has a massive task ahead of him now to rally the troops as they prepare to entertain Hull and St Helens at the Halliwell Jones - no place for the faint hearted!
Leeds (30) 54
Tries: Thackray 2, Donald 2, Lauitiiti, Gibson, Senior 3
Goals: Sinfield 8, Burrow
Warrington (10) 16
Tries: Sullivan, Barnett, Swann
Goals: Briers 2
Att: 17,349
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Warrington Wolves 26 Hull 14
Wolves turn form
book upside down
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
IF Warrington are saving best until last they could still make an impact in the play-offs.
The Wolves turned the form book upside down as they inflicted a rare defeat on high-flying Hull as they ran out victors 26-14.
The Airlie Birds, who are already assured of a second-place finish, succumbed to only their second defeat in 16 matches under Australian coach Peter Sharp.
A Paul Cooke penalty after 10 minutes gave the visitors the lead and full-back Motu Tony had a try disallowed for a double movement. But it was former Hull winger Richie Barnett who was first across the line, beating Shaun Briscoe to a Lee Briers high kick.Six minutes before the interval Chris Bridge powered through a number of tackles to touchdown. Briers converted to ensure a 14-2 half-time lead. The lead could have been greater if Barnett had not been held up over the line.
Winger Gareth Raynor started a Hull fightback when he scored after latching onto a grubber kick from Tony and they might have gone level had Whiting not knocked on over the line.
Warrington hit back on 55 minutes when Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson broke clear to put Ben Westwood through for the Wolves' third try.
After an extended spell of pressure, Hull did eventually break through with a suspiciously forward looking pass to Tony, who went over in the corner.
A touchline conversion from Cooke set up a tense finish, with an attempted drop goal from Briers drifting wide.
But it was man-of-the match Briers who eventually guaranteed the victory after intercepting Kirk Yeaman's pass to grab the all-important sixth try of the afternoon.
Warrington (14) 26.
Tries: Barnett, Bridge, Westwood, Briers.
Goals: Briers 5.
Hull (2) 14.
Tries: Raynor, Tony.
Goals: Cooke 3.
Att: 9,915
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
Warrington Wolves 30 St Helens 38
Beaten but
not disgraced
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
THERE was no disgrace in this 30-38 defeat to the best team in Super League as the curtain came down on Warrington Wolves league campaign.
The Wolves showed that when they put their minds to it they are capable of mixing with the best as they raced into a surprise 16-0 lead.
But the visitors hit back with some breathtaking rugby during a 21-minute period when they went from 16-0 down to 28-16 ahead by the interval.
Saints ran in seven tries with Ade Gardner and Paul Wellens each claiming a brace and one apiece for Jon Wilkin, Willie Talau and Vinnie Anderson.
The result leaves the Wolves in sixth spot facing a trip to Headingley Carnegie to take on Leeds Rhinos in the opening match of the post-season play-offs on Friday.The Wolves made an impressive start, scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes to storm into a 16-0 lead.
Lee Briers was an inspirational figure during the early stages, creating tries for Paul Wood, Richie Barnett and Ben Westwood.
But the momentum shifted on 18 minutes when St Helens back rower Wilkin shrugged off the attentions of Henry Fa'afili to touch down.
That was the signal for the Saints back division to move through the gears and the points started to flow as Wellens crossed twice and Gardner and Wilkin once each prior to the interval.
Warrington continued to fight hard after the break and tries from Martin Gleeson and Toa Kohe-Love reduced the deficit to four points at 28-24 with half-an-hour remaining.
But Saints showed why they have finished eight points clear at the top of the regular season table as tries for Talau and Anderson gave them some breathing space at 38-24.
Chris Bridge rounded off the scoring with a 72nd minute try.
Despite the defeat Head Coach Paul Cullen saw some encouraging signs.
"There were great signs of the character that we need to take us to the next level," he said.
"I think we have seen enough which allows us to have some confidence in our physical and mental toughness.
"We're hardened by the season that we've had, we're hardened by our win against Hull last week and our effort against the best side in the competition. It was a very brave effort and a performance of no little skill. "We've attempted to take on the most offensive side in the competition and run them off the park - and we very nearly did it."
Meanwhile it was an emotional occasion at half-time when former club skipper Mike Gregory was inducted into the Past Player's Hall of Fame.
Members of the Past Players made the presentation to Sam and Ben Gregory, Mike’s sons. Mike watched on from the stands.He played loose forward for he club between 1982-1994 making 246 appearances (including subs) scoring 45 tries.
He joined the club from Wigan St Patrick’s in June 1982 and quickly established himself in the first team winning the Lancashire Cup, the Premiership Trophy in 1986. He scored two tries on his debut for GB v France in 1987 and then went on to be made Warrington Captain in February 1988.
He was Warrington’s only representative on the 1988 GB Tour to Papua New Guinea playing in all 5 tests.
He then went on to captain Warrington to victory in the Lancashire Cup against Oldham in 1989, which led to him being named GB Captain for the series against NZ.
Warrington (16) 30
Tries: Wood, Barnett, Westwood, Kohe-Love, M. Gleeson, Bridge
Goals: Briers (3)
St Helens (28) 38
Tries: Wilkin, Gardner (2), Wellens (2), Talau, V. Anderson
Goals: Lyon (5)
Att: 13,024
Pictures courtesy of Neil Ashurst www.pandbpictures.com
FINAL ENGAGE SUPERLEAGUE 2006
P W D L F A Pts 1 St Helens 28 24 0 4 939 430 48 2 Hull 28 20 0 8 720 578 40 3 Leeds 28 19 0 9 869 543 38 4 Bradford* 28 16 2 10 802 568 32 5 Salford 28 13 0 15 600 539 26 6 Warrington 28 13 0 15 743 721 26 7 Harlequins 28 11 1 16 556 823 23 8 Wigan* 28 12 0 16 644 753 22 9 Huddersfld 28 11 0 17 609 711 22 10 Wakefield 28 10 0 18 591 717 20 11 Castleford 28 9 1 18 575 968 19 (R) 12 Catalans 28 8 0 20 601 894 16*Two points deducted for breaching salary cap
Awards for Wood
Wood at the double
by Gary Skentelbery
WOLVES Prop Paul Wood was celebrating at the double after being named "Players Player" and "Player of the Year" during the club's end of season awards.
The modest young forward expressed genuine surprise at the awards, saying he felt there were at least half a dozen other players who would have been ahead of him in the awards nominations.
Wood added: “Thank you to everyone that has helped me achieve these awards this year. I never expected to be voted Player’s Player of the Year, let alone the Player of the Year. It means a lot to me.”
Other awards presented at the dinner included Junior Academy Player of the Year Kash Watkins and Senior Academy Player of the Year Steve Pickersgill.
Head Coach Paul Cullen commented on his selection of Player of the Year: “Paul Wood has shown dedication to his training, to helping the younger players develop and his attitude on the field has been outstanding. He has been consistent in and inconsistent season and deserves recognition for his hard work.”
Leeds 17 Warrington Wolves 18
Wolves clinch thriller!
by Gary Skentelbery Picture Neil Ashurst
WARRINGTON turned the form book upside down with an inspirational victory which saw them achieve their first ever Super League play-off victory as the golden boot of Lee Briers sank the Rhinos 17-18 at Headingley.
Arriving at the ground just half an hour before the game was due to start after being held up in traffic had little effect on the electric Wolves who were pumped up and ready for action after kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes.
Skipper Briers was in scintilating form and surely must now be knocking on the Great Britain selectors door after an inspired performance, as he slotted the 50th drop-goal of his Warrington career to clinch a breathtaking victory.
Just three weeks earlier Warrington had lost 54-16 on the same ground and had last won at Headingley back in 2002, but they had more power up front throughout the second half and deserved their outstanding victory. Red hot favourites Leeds, who have made the Grand Final for the past three years started fast and were ahead inside four minutes as scrum-half Rob Burrow ducked and swerved under two challenges to score by the sticks, after Warrington full-back Stuart Reardon knocked-on a Burrow bomb.The Wolves hit back quickly when Briers found a pinpoint 40-20 and moments later Reardon shipped the ball out wide for winger Henry Fa'afili to squeeze in at the corner.
Briers missed the extras and then on 18 minutes Burrow's superb break was rewarded with a try as he found his half-back partner Danny McGuire backing up to race in and score.
Skipper Kevin Sinfield added his second conversion, but Briers hauled the Wolves to within six points at the break with a long-range penalty.
Hard working Warrington dominated the second half and got back in the contest just a minute into the second half when Sinfield hurled the ball into touch deep inside his own half and from the scrum Briers' pass found Michael Sullivan making a brilliant angled run to score on his first play-off appearance.
The Rhinos managed to stretch their lead to six points with two Sinfield penalties but Warrington levelled just before the hour mark, Briers dabbing through a perfectly-weighted kick for Ben Westwood to score by the sticks.
The final quarter was breathtaking and heart stopping as both teams hunted field position and drop-goals.
Sinfield landed one from close range on 66 minutes but two minutes later Briers levelled. Youngster Jordan Tansey sliced an attempt wide from close in-front but the experienced Briers made no mistake from 30 metres with just 90 seconds left But the drama wasn't over as Leeds collected straight from the kick off leaving the Wolves clinging on for a famous victory.
On the final hooter the Wolves players leapt into the air with delight as Head Coach Paul Cullen raced on to the filed to congratulate his heroes.
The 2,000 plus Wolves fans, many who missed the match after being stuck in traffic, were left dancing and celebrating long into the night.
Leeds (12) 17.
Tries: Burrow, McGuire.
Goals: Sinfield 4.
Drop Goals: Sinfield.
Warrington (6) 18.
Tries: Fa'afili, Sullivan, Westwood.
Goals: Briers 2.
Drop Goals: Briers 2.
Att: 10,508
Bradford 40 Warrington Wolves 24
Gallant Wolves
bow out
by Gary Skentelbery pictures Neil Ashurst
DON'T be fooled by the scoreline - this was an epic contest which Warrington could have won, with a better start and a little more luck.
It may have brought the curtain down on another inconsistent season but with new signings on the way, including Great Britain star Adrian Morley, Warrington can kick on from this.
Trailing 18-0 in as many minutes after a disasterous start most teams would have crumbled - but not Warrington who forced their way back and were actually leading 24-22 approaching the final quarter of the game.
Sadly their efforts proved to be in a losing cause in front of a travelling army of 5,000 fans, as Bradford climbed off the canvas to score three late tries and give the final scoreline a rather flattering look.
Full-back Michael Withers led the early onslaught, scoring the first after his team-mates had kept the ball alive on the fifth tackle and then taking Brad Mackay's pass off a set move to waltz over the line.Karl Pryce shrugged his way through some paper-thin tackling from the visitors to set up Paul Deacon, who then added his third conversion to make it 18-0.
But back came Warrington and it was no surprise that Lee Briers was the catalyst for the comeback, the skipper getting the ball rolling by going over for Warrington's opening try.
His well-weighted kick to the corner then allowed Henry Fa'afili to score and it would have been even better for the away side shortly before the break had Chris McKenna's desperate lunge not denied Briers after a wonderful dummy.
Deacon's injury-time penalty gave Bradford an eight-point lead at the break, although that soon evaporated as Warrington continued their resurgence at the start of the second half.
Former Bull Stuart Reardon sidestepped his way through the defence before spinning the ball out wide for Toa Kohe-Love to cross on the left.
The Wolves then moved ahead for the first time on the night as Reardon went from provider to scorer to finish off a flowing team move under the posts.
Briers slotted over the conversion and was also on target with a penalty after Deacon had briefly levelled the scores.
But, the Wolves' skipper then came up with a crucial error that cost his team dear as his failure to hang on to an interception gave Bradford six tackles in their opponents' 22.
Deacon took full advantage, dancing his way through for his second try and put the Bulls back in front.
Lesley Vainikolo clinched the victory, the giant winger picking up a loose ball and rumbling down the field to touch down leaving the hapless Wolves defenders in his wake.
Withers failed to ground a late effort but was generously awarded the try to complete his hat-trick and rub further salt in Warrington's wounds as their season came to a disappointing end.
Bradford (20) 40
Tries: Withers 3, Deacon 2, Vainikolo.
Goals: Deacon 8.
Warrington (10) 24
Tries: Briers, Fa'afili, Kohe-Love, Reardon.
Goals: Briers 4.
Att: 12,302