WARRINGTON Wolves showed their strength in depth with an impressive 35-16 victory over Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones tonight despite missing six frontline players through injury and international duty.
Stand in skipper Michael Monaghan ran the show from dummy half and was rewarded with a great individual try in the closing stages, while stand-off Lee Briers (pictured above) rolled back the years with a 90 metre interception try, part of a 19 point tally as he prepares to celebrate his 32nd birthday on Monday.
But with Skipper Adrian Morley, Chris Bridge and Ben Westwood missing through international duty, joining long term absentees Richie Myler, Garreth Carvell and Jon Clarke on the sidelines, it was far from plain sailing for the Wolves, who were made to battle all the way by a workmanlike Rover’s outfit who never gave up.
Despite almost constant pressure in the opening 15 minutes, including three consecutive penalties on the Rover’s try line, Warrington could find no way through a determined and well drilled defence.
In fact it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 16 minutes when Michael Dobson’s perfect kick through was touched down by Chris Welham, although the normally reliable Dobson couldn’t add the extras making it 0-4.
It took an interception try from Lee Briers, who scored a master poacher’s try on 23 minutes as he intercepted on his own 10 metre line to race 90 metres. He then regathered his composure to land a great conversion to put the Wolves 6-4 in front.
Defences remained on top for the rest of the half.
The second half started where the first ended, with defences again on top but then came the turning point of the game as Clint Dempsey was sent to the sin bin on 53 minutes for a grapple tackle on Monaghan, as referee Ian Smith eventually ran out of patience with Rover’s tackling tactics.
Within a minute Warrington extended their lead as Louis Anderson powered his way over from close range with Briers adding the extras to make it 12-4.
The Wolves made the most of the extra man as Matt King broke to send Briers over for his second try which he also converted to make it 18-4 and two minutes later Centre Ryan Atkins broke clear, kicked ahead and then made the most of a Rover’s fumble on their own try line to touch down. Although Briers was wide with the conversion Warrington had scored 16 points without reply while Newton was in the sin bin.
On his return Rovers closed the gap as a great break by Ben Cockayne saw Michael Ratu go over with Dobson adding the extras to make it 22-10, providing a sniff of hope for the visitors.
But Briers banged over a drop goal on 70 minutes to make it a three score game for the visitors and then Monaghan (pictured) made sure of the points on 72 minutes with a superb solo try as he waltzed his way through the defence to score. Briers banged over the conversion to make it 29-10 and game over.
To their credit The Robins never gave up and were rewarded with a late consolation from Ben Fisher which was goaled by Dobson.
But it was Warrington who had the final say in the last minute when Matt King showed a great turn of pace, after picking up a scrappy pass from Briers, to power through and stretch out to score by the posts. Briers added the extras to make it 35-16 and another good day at the office for Tony Smith’s men.
With Paul Wood and Ben Harrison outstanding in the pack, Smith will now have a major selection headache.
Matt King is bundled into touch (Picture Eddie Whitham)
For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE
For even more action pictures CLICK HERE
Wolves: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks, Matt King, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Simon Grix, Lee Briers, Paul Wood, Michael Monaghan, Ben Harrison, Louis Anderson, Vinnie Anderson, David Solomona. Subs: Mickey Higham, Mike Cooper, Lee Mitchell, Tyrone McCarthy.
Hull KR: Shaun Briscoe; Peter Fox, Michael Ratu, Kris Welham, Ben Cockayne; Scott Murrell, Michael Dobson, Mick Vella, Ben Fisher, Jason Netherton, Clint Newton, Ben Galea, Liam Watts. Subs: Joel Clinton, Josh Hodgson, Scott Wheeldon, Rhys Lovegrove.
Atten: 9,216
1 Comment
Second in the league, best defence, second best attack, challenge cup semi-final against bottom of the league – looks like being a very good year for the men in primrose and blue!