TWO tries from Kevin Penny helped Warrington end their season on a high
with a 44-34 victory over Harlequins avenging their 60-8 hammering at The Stoop earlier in the season.
It was a fitting end to the season as the club bid a fond farewell to club Chairman Doug Hoyle, who announced his retirement before the game.
It was also a curtain call for Prop Paul Rauhihi who is retiring from the game.
The victory ensured Warrington clinched 10th spot in the table, with the Quins finishing 11th following their 11th defeat in 12 outings.
Warrington didn’t have the best of starts as Lee Briers put the kick off straight into touch as Warrington conceded two tries inside eight minutes.
Danny Orr’s cross-field kick set up Tony Clubb to break the deadlock and soon after Dorn grabbed his first of the afternoon, Matt Gafa adding the extras.
Warrington eventually came to life, winger Penny finishing off Centre Matty Blythe’s surging break.
The Wolves were soon level when Chris Bridge converted Ben Westwood’s try – only for Quins to go back in front when Dorn broke away from some weak tackling to reach
the line. Chris Melling added the goal to make it 16-10, though the Quins joy was short-lived and by half time the scores were level again.
The sin-binning of Luke Williamson opened up enough space for Briers to breeze over and with their opponents still down to 12, the Wolves moved ahead for the first time
when Blythe crossed six minutes after the break.
A try on his debut for teenage hooker Alex Thompson and a second for Penny helped Warrington pull clear, Bridge’s boot making the score 32-16.
But Quins, to their credit, continued to battle hard and tries from Jamie O’Callaghan and Matt Gafa in a three-minute burst cut the gap to 32-28.
But, while Dorn did manage to complete his hat-trick it was Warrington who finished the stronger with Mickey Higham and Tyrone McCarthy both touching
down to seal the win for Warrington, who paraded the Challenge Cup in front of their fans after the final hooter.
Head of Coaching Tony Smith said after the game: “It wasn’t pretty from either side in terms of defence. But both teams tried and threw caution to the wind.”
“It’s nice to finish with a win but we’re a couple of wins too short of the play-offs. We’d like to be making a finals appearance but at least we have one trophy in the cabinet
and will be chasing the other next year.
“Mozza led the team unbelievably well and keeps churning out performances. It was also good for Alex Thompson to score a debut try and Tyrone McCarthy keeps coming up and has been consistent at the end of the year.
“We showed some enterprise with the ball and it was a nice way for Paul Rauhihi to finish.”
Commenting on his sudden departure Lord Hoyle (pictured right) , who is 79, said: “I am sorry to be leaving my post as Chairman of Warrington Wolves. However, I think that after 10 years and having seen the club move from Wilderspool to a modern Rugby League designed stadium at The Halliwell Jones, and now having won the Carnegie Challenge Cup, it is time to step down from this post while still retaining strong links with the club.
“It has been a very exciting and fascinating period, where we have gone from fighting to retain our place in Super League, to now becoming one of the prominent members of the competition. I believe that the club has strong foundations and financial backing and I am please to have worked with Simon Moran who has done so much to support and stabilise the club. I look forward to the team going from strength to strength and hopefully winning more silverware next season.”
Wolves Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe added: “On behalf of everyone connected with the club, I would like to sincerely thank Doug for all his hard work, time and dedication to Warrington Wolves and say that it has been, and will, I am sure continue to be, a pleasure to work closely with Doug in representing the club ensuring future success both on and off the pitch
“Doug’s passion and support for the club has been tremendous and for this he cannot be thanked enough.”
Pictures show Paul Rauhihi and his family bidding a fond farewell, Kevin Penny celebrating one of his two tries, Lee Briers parading the Challenge Cup with fans and Alex Thompson scoring on his debut.
To see more pictures CLICK HERE
Teams:
Wolves: Richie Mathers; Kevin Penny, Chris Bridge, Matty Blythe, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan; Garreth Carvell, Mickey Higham, Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood, Tyrone McCarthy, Ben Harrison. Subs: Mike Cooper, Paul Rauhihi, Lee Mitchell, Alex Thompson.
Quins: Chris Melling; Tony Chubb, MattGafa, Lamont Bryan, Will Sharp; Luke Dorn, Danny Orr; Daniel Heckenberg, Chad Randall, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Luke Williamson, Ryan Esders, Jason Golden. Subs: Luke Gale, Gareth Haggerty, David Williams, Jamie O’Callaghan.
