Leeds send Warrington Wolves to fifth defeat in six games

WARRINGTON Wolves’ poor run of form continued as they slipped to a 22-6 defeat at home to Leeds Rhinos.

Former Wolves man Richie Myler put the icing on the cake for the Rhinos, who had led 16-0 at half time and never looked like losing, while another ex-Wire Blake Austin took the man-of-the-match award.

Off the back of a thumping 54-0 win over Huddersfield last week, Leeds added to Daryl Powell’s woes as Warrington lost for a fifth time in six games and there were sounds of boos at the final hooter.

There was more balance to the Wolves side than there had been at Castleford last week, though the absence of George Williams was often evident in attack.

Matt Dufty was shifted to stand-off without Williams, with Josh Drinkwater returning at scrum half, and Josh Thewlis slotting in at full-back.

They were opened up from long range for the first try, with ex-Widnes youngster Sam Walters backing up to take Aidan Sezer’s pass around the full-back for the opener.

The lead was extended soon when Myler put Ash Handley in for the first of his two tries in the left corner.

By the 16th minute, Leeds were going at a point a minute – Handley touching down and Rhyse Martin adding the conversion.

Warrington’s night got even tougher when Sam Kasiano was sin-binned for a shoulder charge on Handley, and his frustration was evident later on when he was twice penalised for dissent.

The hosts offered little in attack and were given a let-off when Blake Austin had a try ruled out for obstruction.

The Wolves had it all to do after the break and it took until the 63rd minute for them to finally get on the scoreboard, Stefan Ratchford with an excellent quick pass to put Matty Ashton over in the corner.

But while they briefly threatened, errors were their downfall and Leeds made sure of the points with 10 to play when Sam Lisone put Walters half through and he passed inside for Myler to go in under the posts.

After the final hooter a dejected Warrington Wolves Coach Daryl Powell, remained in his coaching box high up in the ground reflecting on what he had just witnessed. After the game he said he was disappointed and that the team needed to defend better.

With St Helens up next at the Halliwell Jones Stadium next week – things aren’t going to get any easier!

Warrington: Thewlis, Russell, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Dufty, Drinkwater, Dudson, Clark, Vaughan, Currie, Holroyd, Philbin. Subs: Kasiano, Walker, Bullock, Wrench.

Leeds: Myler, Fusitu’a, Martin, Macdonald, Handley, Austin, Sezer, Oledzki, O’Connor, Walters, Bentley, McDonnell, Smith. Subs: Lisone, Holroyd, Johnson, Donaldson.

Ashton goes over – 15 left to go! pic.twitter.com/CsMnfvbtEd

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) June 29, 2023

It's ✌️ in quick succession for @AHandley16 🦏@LeedsRhinos lead 0-16 already 😲 pic.twitter.com/bqBuP7Xp57

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 29, 2023