Wolves safely through to last eight

NEW signing Richie Mathers scored twice on his debut as the Wolves eased past Featherstone 56-8 to book their place in the Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
Warrington ran in 10 tries at the Chris Moyles Stadium, with the prolific Chris Hicks also grabbing two tries and kicking eight goals, taking his points tally to 94 in just four games.
It was a perfect start for full-back Mathers who was singled out by Head of Coaching and former mentor Tony Smith.
“I thought he was good at the back.” said Smith. “It was nice for him to score a couple of tries but I thought he did a lot of good things. I’m very pleased for him and it was a good game for him to make his debut.”
The Wolves were rocked when Rovers claimed an early lead through Tom Saxton but the home side were soon worn down as Simon Grix, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Chris Riley, Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge also got on the scoresheet.
Featherstone, boasting former Wolves star Iestyn Harris in their side, held their own in the early stages and they deservedly went ahead after nine minutes when an Andy Kain pass meant for centre Tom Haughey missed its target but bounced kindly for Saxton, who powered over in the corner.
The hosts were pushing for a second try when Warrington were gifted their route back into the game as Richard Blakeway’s pass was picked off by Grix for a 70-metre interception try.
The Wolves followed up with a second try just three minutes later as Monaghan broke clear from a Jon Clarke pass and set up Mathers for a simple try.
Warrington quickly turned defence into attack to claim a third try as Ben Westwood seized a Clarke kick and Monaghan finished the move.
Featherstone continued to take the game to their opponents but failed to make the most of good possession and they were punished when Monaghan burst through several tackles to set up Wood to establish a 20-4 lead at half-time.
The Wolves maintained the pressure after the break with a flowing move sending the ball through the hands of Monaghan and Clarke before Hicks touched down.
The game seemed as good as over for Rovers but they battled on and pulled one back when Saxton brilliantly kept Andy Kain’s kick infield and Haughey went over.
Normal service was resumed soon after though as Hicks jumped to reach a Clarke kick for his second and Micky Higham then pierced the Rovers line to create another for Mathers.
Another Higham burst provided the impetus for Monaghan to set up Harrison just after the hour and the Wolves then pounced to set up Riley after Stuart Kain lost the ball.
Hicks’ conversion brought up the half-century but there was still more to come as Bridge intercepted Harris’ pass to break from halfway and score.
Smith described the 56-8 scoreline “a fair reflection of the game”.
But he praised the National League One cup rivals saying: “They are a good team for their division and very good with the ball. That showed in their first try when they undid us, but even during that period I thought our defence was good.
“The signs were there right through, with and without the ball. I didn’t think we were troubled in any area except for that one play. I felt the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.”