PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
WARRINGTON Wolves kept their hopes of reaching the Super League top eight alive with a resounding 50-10 win over bottom club Leigh.
They ran in nine tries to gain some revenge for the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Centurions earlier in the season.
It sets up a do or die clash with Wigan next weekend, though the Warriors could deal the Wolves hopes a significant blow should they win at Catalans on Saturday night.
Tony Smith welcomed back a trio of players from injury and one of them, Tom Lineham, marked his return with four tries.
Another, Ben Westwood, troubled reporters for different reasons, a spear tackle sending him to the sin bin for 10 first half minutes.
There was also a try on debut for Ben Pomeroy, the Australian centre who joined the Wolves last month.
Tries from Ryan Atkins and Ashton Sims sent the Wolves on their way, two conversions and a penalty from Stefan Ratchford making the score 14-0 inside 20 minutes.
Lineham’s first two tries then virtually put the game in the bag, though Ben Reynolds got Leigh on the scoreboard for 24-6 at half time.
Pomeroy then stretched the lead, before Jack Hughes and Lineham completed the rout.
Results elsewhere weren’t kind to the Wolves, with St Helens’ win over Hull meaning they can’t be caught.
Huddersfield’s thumping of Widnes means the Wolves are now reliant on the Giants and Wigan losing all their remaining games if they are to make the top eight.
Warrington play Wigan and Widnes in their final two games before the league splits.
After the match Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “It was a good all-round performance across the board. We withstood their attack.
“Our attack was much improved. We asked some questions and came up with some answers and we were creative with some good offloads.
“There was more rugby played by us tonight and Lineham came up with some quality finishes.”
Smith added: “The new boys did well for us tonight and were full of enthusiasm which has been good for us.
“It was important we played well tonight. Whatever happens we still have many games left to play.”
Smith added that he expects Ben Currie to be ready to make his long awaited return next week and expects Russell and Cooper to also be back in contention.
Warrington: Ratchford, Hiku, Pomeroy, Atkins, Lineham, Patton, Gidley, Hill, Clark, Sims, Jullien, Hughes, Westwood. Replacements: G King, Philbin, Savelio, Smith.
Leigh: Brown, Dawson, Langi, Paterson, Higson, Reynolds, Mortimer, Hopkins, Higham, Tickle, Vea, Hansen, Stewart. Replacements: Burr, Green, Hood, Maria.
| Warrington (24) 50 |
| Tries: Atkins, Sims, Lineham 4, Pomeroy, Hughes, Patton Goals Ratchford 6, Westwood |
| Leigh (6) 10 |
| Tries: Reynolds, Dawson Goals Reynolds |
