Wolves guarantee top eight finish with win

WARRINGTON Wolves moved within two points of Super League’s top four with a 40-20 win over basement boys Wakefield.

Coach Tony Smith came up against brother Brian, who recently took over the top job at the struggling Wildcats, and was victorious thanks to seven tries.

The win guarantees Warrington’s place in the top eight, something which had begun to look precarious before a recent revival, including last week’s win over Wigan.

For Wakefield, it was an 18th defeat of the season, as Jacob Miller’s four tries proved in vain.

Stefan Ratchford backed up a Chris Hill break to set the visitors on their way, and then Joe Philbin capitalised on an error by Jordan Tansey to extend Warrington’s advantage.

The first of Miller’s two first half scores got Wakefield on the board, but tries from Matty Russell and Ben Westwood had the Wolves 22-10 to the good at half time.

Miller completed his hat-trick at the start of the second half to drag the Wildcats back within range, only for two tries in as many minutes to virtually end the game as a contest.

Daryl Clark and Richie Myler, who will leave the club at the end of the season to join Catalans it was revealed this week, were the try scorers which put Warrington 34-14 to the good.

Miller’s fourth followed later, before Russell had the final say with his second try of the game.

Wakefield: Locke, Tansey, Arundel, Lyne, Riley, Hall, Miller, Scruton, McShane, Kavanagh, Ashurst, Washbrook, Annakin. Subs: Anderson, Ryan, Sio, Walker.

Warrington: Russell, Ormsby, Wheeler, Atkins, Penny, O’Brien, Myler, Hill, Clark, Harrison, Westwood, Philbin, Ratchford. Subs: Dwyer, Asotasi, T King, Wilde

Richie Myler on his way to the try line – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM

Stefan Ratchford makes a clean break – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM

Matty Russell on his way to the try line – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM

Matty Russell breaks clear on his way to the line PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM

FOR MORE PICTURES CLICK ON THE GALLERY – PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM