- Home
- Warrington Wolves
- Warrington Wolves archive
- Wolves season review 2007
Wigan Warriors 10 Warrington Wolves 16
MIGHTY Warrington Wolves pulled off a stunning 16-10 victory over arch rivals Wigan Warriors at the JJB - but at a heavy price with two key players picking up serious injuries
Half back Chris Bridge limped off after just six minutes with a torn hamstring while powerhouse Prop Adrian Morley suffered a suspected fractured eye socket early in the second-half.
But Coach Paul Cullen still managed to mastermind a superb victory as he rotated his remaining players to great effect.
New signings Paul Johnson and Vinny Anderson were both involved in the thick of the action and second-rower Ben Westwood was a revelation in defence.
Inspirational skipper Lee Briers was also at his best as the Wolves showed superior fitness and ideas with two first half tries from Richie Barnett and man-of-the-match Anderson, while Lee Briers added eight points with the boot.
Wigan rallied in the second half, scoring through Mark Calderwood and controversially through David Vaealiki late on, but a record first week crowd of 21,693 could not spur them to overturn the Wolves, who were cheered on by nearly 6,000 travelling fans.
Warrington set off like a steam train in appalling conditions led by a powerhouse pack, and they were ahead inside three minutes through a Briers penalty.
Then Anderson showed great awareness to intercept inside his own half, but he could not find any support with a try beckoning.
Wigan continued to probe and levelled with a Pat Richards penalty midway through the first half.
Wolves winger Richie Barnett powered over to hand Warrington a converted 8-2 lead.
Hooker Jon Clarke made the initial break - the Wolves' sixth of the first half; Paul Johnson then showed marvellous composure to draw in two tacklers and feed Barnett, who stepped inside Calderwood to score. Warrington were now rampant and they grabbed a second touchdown before half-time.
After Paul Wood had been held up over the goal-line the Wolves kept probing, and Briers used his dummy runners intelligently to feed Anderson for a 12-2 interval lead.
Wigan needed an instant boost to stem the tide in the second period, yet it was Warrington and that man Anderson who nearly claimed another score, but thhis touchdown was ruled out for an offside by the video referee.
Then Morley's departure, after coming off second best in a strong shoulder charge seemed to spark Wigan into life and they finally grabbed their first try of the season thanks to some fine handling by Calderwood.
Briers eventually extended Wolves' lead with another penalty goal.
Another Briers two-pointer followed with Wigan seemingly beaten, but they did give their fans some hope with five minutes remaining - albeit in controversial circumstances. O'Loughlin caused confusion in the Wolves defence, before Mick Higham's forward pass went unnoticed as Vaealiki set up a nerve jangling ending.
A delighted Cullen was bombarded with snowballs by his thrilled players at the final hooter, although he will be left counting the costs with the loss of two players possibly for some time.
Wolves out
muscle Wigan!
by Gary Skentelbery
MIGHTY Warrington Wolves pulled off a stunning 16-10 victory over arch rivals Wigan Warriors at the JJB - but at a heavy price with two key players picking up serious injuries
Half back Chris Bridge limped off after just six minutes with a torn hamstring while powerhouse Prop Adrian Morley suffered a suspected fractured eye socket early in the second-half.
But Coach Paul Cullen still managed to mastermind a superb victory as he rotated his remaining players to great effect.
New signings Paul Johnson and Vinny Anderson were both involved in the thick of the action and second-rower Ben Westwood was a revelation in defence.
Inspirational skipper Lee Briers was also at his best as the Wolves showed superior fitness and ideas with two first half tries from Richie Barnett and man-of-the-match Anderson, while Lee Briers added eight points with the boot.
Wigan rallied in the second half, scoring through Mark Calderwood and controversially through David Vaealiki late on, but a record first week crowd of 21,693 could not spur them to overturn the Wolves, who were cheered on by nearly 6,000 travelling fans.
Warrington set off like a steam train in appalling conditions led by a powerhouse pack, and they were ahead inside three minutes through a Briers penalty.
Then Anderson showed great awareness to intercept inside his own half, but he could not find any support with a try beckoning.
Wigan continued to probe and levelled with a Pat Richards penalty midway through the first half.
Wolves winger Richie Barnett powered over to hand Warrington a converted 8-2 lead.
Hooker Jon Clarke made the initial break - the Wolves' sixth of the first half; Paul Johnson then showed marvellous composure to draw in two tacklers and feed Barnett, who stepped inside Calderwood to score. Warrington were now rampant and they grabbed a second touchdown before half-time.
After Paul Wood had been held up over the goal-line the Wolves kept probing, and Briers used his dummy runners intelligently to feed Anderson for a 12-2 interval lead.
Wigan needed an instant boost to stem the tide in the second period, yet it was Warrington and that man Anderson who nearly claimed another score, but thhis touchdown was ruled out for an offside by the video referee.
Then Morley's departure, after coming off second best in a strong shoulder charge seemed to spark Wigan into life and they finally grabbed their first try of the season thanks to some fine handling by Calderwood.
Briers eventually extended Wolves' lead with another penalty goal.
Another Briers two-pointer followed with Wigan seemingly beaten, but they did give their fans some hope with five minutes remaining - albeit in controversial circumstances. O'Loughlin caused confusion in the Wolves defence, before Mick Higham's forward pass went unnoticed as Vaealiki set up a nerve jangling ending.
A delighted Cullen was bombarded with snowballs by his thrilled players at the final hooter, although he will be left counting the costs with the loss of two players possibly for some time.
Wigan (2) 10
Tries: Calderwood, Vaealiki
Goals: Richards
Warrington (12) 16
Tries: Barnett, Anderson
Goals: Briers 4
Att: 21,693
This article has been added to your 'Articles to Read' list.
