Wolves miss out on top


six despite victory 
 
by Gary Skentelbery

DESPITE a brave victory at relegated Salford the curtain came down on a disappointing season for the Wolves as they missed out on a top six spot, as arch rivals Wigan grabbed a rare win over St Helens.
Although disappointed at missing out on the play offs head coach Paul Cullen praised his players for their show of character.
. Without 10 players through injury and suspension and under intense pressure to beat the relegated Reds at the Willows, Cullen's men responded with a 34-26 victory.
But Wigan's 20-12 win over rivals St Helens guaranteed the Warriors a top-six finish and left Warrington to settle for seventh.
Cullen said after the match: "We are disappointed not to have made the six. Had it gone our way what we would have done next week is anyone's guess.
"But you have to commend the bravery of all 34 players from both camps. We had 10 players out and Salford had 11 and that is a lot of damage to personnel at the back end of the season.
"It was not the best game of rugby but for us it was our last 17 standing."
Cullen singled out young try scoring forward Lee Mitchell for particular praise.
"He has come straight from the under 18s and he is a big strong unit and he played 80 minutes in the second row which is a big ask for his age."
Warrington's other tries came from the league's leading try scorer Henry Fa'afili, who completed the season with an impressive 21, Ben Westwood, a strong candidate for player of the season, who grabbed two, Paul Rauhihi and Chris Bridge.
Skipper Lee Briers weighed in with five goals.

Salford
Tries: McGuinness, Barnett (2), Turner
Goals: Wilshere (3)

Warrington
Fa'afili, Westwood (2), Rauhihi, Bridge, Mitchell,
Goals: Briers (5)