Wolves end Wembley wait!

WARRINGTON WOLVES ended their long wait for a Wembley return with a stunning 39-26 victory over arch-rivals Wigan.
Man of the match Lee Briers, (pictured in try scoring action above) who landed a crucial drop goal as Wigan threatened the come back of all come backs, dedicated the victory to his late brother Brian, who tragically died from cancer eight years ago at the age of just 33, who would have been celebrating his birthday today.
Fighting back tears at the end of the match and pointing his man of the match bottle of champagne to the heavens, Briers said: “That’s for you Brian!”
He went on to heap praise on Wolves’ Coach Tony Smith who has helped turn the club’s fortunes around since arriving in March.
“Smith is the best Coach in the world. He has turned my game around and helped me learn new tricks.”
Praising the effort of his players Smith said: “We made hard work of it in the end but you could see the determination from the players who worked so hard and pulled together as a group.
“It has been a long wait for the club to get to a major final and we will be celebrating tonight!”
Nineteen years since their last visit to Wembley, when they were ironically defeated 36-14 by Wigan, Warrington looked like they would have to wait a little longer as the Cherry and Whites opened up an 8-0 lead with a Phil Bailey try, converted by Pat Richards, who then banged over a penalty.
But when Matt King powered over after 18 minutes and Bridge landed the conversion to narrow the gap to two points, the Wolves hit a purple patch with some breath-taking rugby.
Within two minutes a towering kick by Briers was touched down by Louis Anderson, with Bridge again on target to make it 12-8 to the Wolves. Then on 23 minutes Warrington extended their lead when Westwood set up Briers who managed to reach out to touch down, with Bridge again on target.
On 30 minutes it was Briers who set up Mike Cooper for a walk over try, goaled by Bridge and then just before the break good work by Michael Monaghan (pictured above right) sent King in for his second try to make it 28-8 at the break.
Shortly after the re-start King completed his hat-trick after out jumping the Wigan defence to touchdown another Briers kick and Warrington looked home and dry at 32-8.
But back game Wigan who score three tries without reply, the first from Sam Tomkins on 54 minutes, goaled by Richards. Warrington’s young winger Chris Riley was then stretchered off with concussion after catching a stray knee in the head and the Wolves seem to lose all their momentum as Andy Coley and Thomas Leulaui tries, each goaled by Richards brought the scores to 32-26 and game on.
But then with 10 minutes left on the clock Briers landed the all important drop goal and then five minutes from time winger Chris Hicks put the icing on the cake out sprinting the Wigan defence to touchdown in the corner. Bridge landed a towering conversion from the touchline to complete the scoring and send the Warrington fans (pictured below) into party mode.
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