Rampant Wolves slay Rhinos

RAMPANT Warrington Wolves destroyed Leeds Rhinos 30-6 at Wembley to create history as they won the Challenge Cup back to back for the first time.
A hat trick from Aussie Winger Chris Hicks and two tries from former Leeds fan Ryan Atkins and the superb tactical kicking of man-of-the match Lee Briers enabled Warrington to retain the cup without much trouble.
Warrington were in control throughout a one-sided game, swiftly wiping out the memories of the last four games between the two sides which had all gone Leeds’ way.
The 85,217 crowd was the highest Challenge Cup final attendance for 22 years.
Briers was in devastating form and earned his man-of-the match award wih record 34 points out of 40 available from the voting press panel.
Former Leeds player Richie Mathers was also in fine form in defence and was unlucky to have a try chalked off by the vidoe referee in a fine all round performance.
Wolves dominated the match in a game the experts had predicted would be close, with Leeds generally thought to be favorites, turned out to be dominated by a rampant Warrington side.
It was only in the early stages of the game that Leeds showed any initiative at all. Ryan Bailey missed out by trying to barge Mathers out of the way when a side step would probably have seen him go over.
This allowed Wolves to open the scoring after 14 minutes Briers lofted a kick to the left corner where Atkins was there to dive over. Westwood failed to convert but only four minutes later Wolves scored their second try, through Hicks. Westwood again failed to convert.
But when Warrington ran in a third try four minutes from half-time it began to look as if it was all over as Atkins raced 40 metres for his 15th try of the season.
Westwood found the mark this time to give Wolves a 14-0 lead.
The game was all over bar the shouting and 18 minutes from time Briers found Hicks with another precision kick and the winger scored his second try of the afternoon. Westwood converted.
Leeds finally got on the score-sheet through Smith but Wolves were not to be denied and scored two more tries, Hicks completing his hat-trick and then Louis Anderson diving over for try number six
It was an embarrassing defeat for the Rhinos who just could not match Wolves for flair on the day.
As a match it was a disappointment – but that will not worry the 30,000-plus Wolves fans who travelled to Wembley.

Ryan Atkins celebrates the opening try

Hat-trick hero Chris Hicks shows his delight

Man-of-the-match Lee Briers

Teams:
Leeds: Webb, Smith, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Clarkson, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield.
Replacements: Diskin, Eastwood, Kirke, Ablett.
Warrington: Mathers, Hicks, King, Atkins, Riley, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Carvell, L. Anderson, Westwood, Harrison.
Replacements: Wood, Solomona, Higham, V. Anderson.
Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury)
ATTEN 85,217
For more than 150 photographs of the final CLICK HERE
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