WARRINGTON Wolves re-wrote the record books as they thrashed Swinton Lions 112-0 in the Challenge Cup with Lee Briers clocking up 44 points to become the club’s highest ever points scorer.
The scoreline was a club record victory, while man-of-the-match Briers’ tally was also a club individual best. Joel Monaghan ran in four tries on top of hat-tricks for Briers, Garreth Carvell and Chris Riley. Other tries came from Ben Westwood (2), Ryan Atkins, Simon Grix, Michael Monaghan, Chris Bridge and Rhys Williams, with Briers landing 16 goals.
The victory surpassed their 84-1 Challenge Cup triumph over York at Wilderspool 11 years ago as a new club high.
Their 20 tries also equals the record previously set in a 78-6 win against St Helens in 1909.
For Briers, his own record-breaking night saw him beat his own 40-point haul against York in 2000. His 16 goals breaks his own earlier club record of 14, previously shared with Harry Palin, who also landed 14 against Liverpool City in 1950.
To top the night Briers became Warrington’s highest ever points scorer, beating Steve Hesford’s 2,416. Briers has now increased his tally to 2,425 points.
The victory saw them move into quarter-finals in late July as they bid for a hat-trick of Challenge Cup triumphs.
And Tony Smith’s free-scoring Wolves, who had already amassed 200 points in their previous three games in beating Bradford, Keighley (in the last round) and Castleford, were actually without six regulars.
But it wasn’t all good news for Warrington, with the loss of young half-back Gareth O’Brien who was carried off on a stretcher with what may prove a serious knee injury.
Briers created Warrington’s opening score after just 90 seconds as his towering kick was collected by Joel Monaghan to touchdown and Briers himself scored the second try in six minutes after good work from Riley.
Atkins raced down the wing to stretch the lead to 16-0 before a smart pass from Bridge saw Monaghan go over for his second try.
Then Carvell added two tries in as many minutes as the Championship One leaders Swinton then went almost 20 minutes without touching the ball.
Grix charged over for the home side’s seventh try, Monaghan completed his hat-trick and brother Michael joined in the celebrations to stretch the lead to 48-0 at half-time.
There was no let up inthe second half as a quick double saw Briers complete his that-trick and Riley then got his name on the scoresheet for the first time. Rhys Williams raced down the wing for try number 14, sandwiched in between a Ben Westwood brace, while Joel Monaghan clocked up his fourth try of the night.
Atkins carved out a second try for Riley nine minutes from time and Bridge got in on the act moment later. And there was still time for Carvell and Riley to complete their hat-tricks on an unforgettable night.
Wolves boss Tony Smith said: “It’s a fantastic achievement by Lee Briers. He’s been a very good player for a number of years for this club.
“We played some awesome stuff, regardless of what level the team we were playing against.
“I feel for Swinton. They have been in a good spot themselves but played against a team with skill and discipline.
“It was real entertainment for the fans who turned up. There was some fantastic rugby league played.” 
For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE
Warrington: Riley, J Monaghan, Bridge, Atkins, Williams; O’Brien, Briers; Morley, M Monaghan, Carvell, King, Westwood, Grix. Replacements: Clarke, Cooper, Blythe, Solomona.
Swinton: Mort, Flooks, Hurst, Dodd, Foxen; Watson, M Ainscough; Morrison, M Smith, N Holland, Cunniffe, D Hawkyard, Joseph. Replacements: Wilson, Ashall, Meekin, Gallagher.
Attendance: 4,440.
Referee: Tim Roby
