WARRINGTON Wolves’ defensive frailties were once again exposed as they were edged out 30-37 by reigning Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones.
The defeat leaves Warrington still looking for their first win of the season against their fellow top four challengers as the Rhinos completed a league double over the Wolves.
It had all started so brightly for Warrington who on the back of five consecutive victories took the lead on 4 minutes as a short pass from Ben Westwood sent Matt King powering over from short range. Lee Briers was wide with the conversion attempt.
But on 15 minutes poor Wolves tackling allowed veteran centre Keith Senior to burst through from his own half and out pace the Warrington cover to score by the sticks, giving Kevin Sinfield the easiest of conversions.
Back came Warrington and a great passing move should have seen Chris Riley racing clear on the over lap but the young winger fumbled the ball with a clear run to the line.
But Warrington were soon back in front when great work by Chris Bridge with a superb cross field kick saw Chris Hicks in at the corner. But Briers was again wide from the touchline as Warrington sneak in front 8-6.
On 27 minutes Warrington again extended their lead as David Solomona powered forward and off-loaded superbly for Ryan Atkins to touchdown. Briers was again off target with his third conversion attempt as Warrington led 12-6.
Warrington continued to dominate play but gave away penalties and were punished in the 33 minute when Greg Eastwood powered under the sticks giving Sinfield another easy conversion to level the scores at 12-12.
Back came Warrington with more great attacking rugby and a great cross field kick by Briers sent Hicks over, following confirmation from the video ref. Briers added the extra for the first time to make it 18-12. Leeds were then penalised just before the break allowing Briers to slot over a penalty to make it 20-12 at the interval.
But straight from the kick off Leeds were back in the hunt as Briers attempted a short re-start which fell short and from the resulting penalty Leeds used their field position for Scott Donald to out jump Riley in the corner and touch down. Sinfield landed a super touchline conversion to bring the score to within two points.
Back came Warrington as Higham was held up over the line and from the play the ball a loose pass was picked up by King who went over for his second try. Briers was on target and Warrington were back in control at 26-18.
But it was short lived as Leeds refused to lie down as Danny Buderus powered over after more poor defensive work by the Wolves. Sinfield was again on target to make it 26-24.
It was clear Leeds now scented victory and it wasn’t long before they took the lead on 53 minutes as Sinfield zipped out a pass to get Ryan Hall in at the corner as Riley was left grasping at thin air.
Sinfield rubbed salt in the wounds with another towering touchline conversion to make it 26-30.
Warrington hit back with some stunning rugby of their own and a sweeping move saw Riley go in at the corner – but unlike his kicking counterpart, Briers was again wide with the conversion leaving the scores level at 30-30.
Warrington couldn’t hold onto their narrow lead as their defence was once again found wanting as Danny Maguire pierced the heart of their defence to go under the sticks with the defenders chasing shadows. The conversion was a formality for Sinfield, who proved to be the real match winner as he kept his cool to slot over along distance drop goal with just over five minutes left on the clock.
After the match disappointed Wolves boss Tony Smith said: “We are disappointed with the result although I thought Leeds deserved it, but we will toughen up and we will have to in these sorts of games or you become the nearly team.
“You should win a game of rugby league scoring 30 points and I loved some of the tries we scored and some of the attacking play on show.
“But defensively we obviously leaked too many and our ruck area needs to be fixed up, and we have talked about that already and will go away and work damned hard at it.
“We also gave away too many penalties and gave them in runs, one after another and that hurts you in games. We must learn from that and get better.”
On a more pleasing note the future looks bright for Warrington as their Under 20s demolished Leeds youngsters 94-6 in the curtain raiser, when the young Wolves were bolstered by Richie Myler, (pictured above left) Garreth Carvell and Jon Clarke!
Pictures show Chris Hicks (top) and Matt King in try scoring action and Adrian Morley being held just short of the line.
To see more pictures CLICK HERE
Wolves: Mathers, Hicks, King, Atkins, Riley, Bridge, Briers, Morley, Monaghan, Harrison, Louis Anderson, Westwood, Grix. Subs Higham, Wood, Vinnie Anderson and Solomona.
Leeds: Smith, Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, Sinfield, Maguire, Bailey, Buderus, Peacock, Eastwood, Jones Buchanan, Ablett. Subs McShane, Kirke, Pitts and Ambler.
Atten: 10,442
