Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves survived a scare to return to the top of the Super League table with a 32-18 win over winless Wakefield.
The game was finely poised at 12-all part way through the second half when Wakefield were reduced to 12 men when experienced forward Kevin Proctor was sent off.
Stefan Ratchford’s subsequent penalty nudged the Warrington Wolves in front and they didn’t look back from there, adding three tries to secure the two points and make the most of Wigan’s slip at Hull on Thursday night.
After back-to-back defeats before the international break, Warrington started the game as heavy favourites against a side who had lost all 10 of their previous games this season.
An early brace for Josh Thewlis, who started at full-back in place of Matt Dufty, seemed to put Warrington on their way, but they were pegged back by former Wolves youngster Morgan Smith and reported transfer target Kelepi Tanginoa.
Wakefield will never know if they could have broken their duck had Proctor not seen red for a dangerous tackle on Thewlis, and in the end, Warrington may have been relieved they never got taken closer.
Matty Ashton’s brace, either side of a George Williams try and a consolation for Matty Ashurst, secured the two points.
Warrington Wolves: Thewlis, Russell, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Nicholson, McGuire. Subs: Dufty, Kasiano, Philbin, Bullock.
Wakefield: Dagger, Kay, Pitts, Gaskell, Taufua, Smith, Lino, Whitbread, Bowes, Proctor, Tanginoa, Ashurst, Crowther. Subs: Hood, Atoni, Bowden, Eseh.
🎬 Match Highlights | Catch up on all the action from last night's win over Wakefield pic.twitter.com/3zKw7uRyQq
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) May 6, 2023
