By Louis Parr
Warrington Wolves Women made it consecutive league victories with an emphatic 52-0 home triumph over Oulton Raidettes.
A hattrick from Ellie Costello as well as two tries a piece from Ella Winterbottom and Holly Brussels helped Wire on their way to a stunning win at Victoria Park.
The hosts flexed their muscles with a dominant first half display that saw them go in to the break leading 26-0, as Lee Westwood’s side continued their fine start to the season.
Winterbottom was first to dive over just three minutes in, when Costello did well to recycle play from right to left and find the onrushing full back who scored with ease.
Warrington kept the pressure on Oulton, and went close to extending their lead through Brussels, but she was well snuffed out by the visitors’ rearguard ten metres from the line.
The home crowd didn’t have to wait long for a second try though, as Costello scored a fine solo goal, jinking past Abby Briggs following a scrum and powering home unchallenged from the halfway line. Michelle Davis converted the resulting penalty to ensure the hosts led 10-0 after 15 minutes.
And Wire made the most of their dominant spell- Dani Bound the next to go over moments later.
Davis capitalised on an Oulton spill, before Wolves launched a spell of sustained pressure culminating in Bound crossing over to increase the advantage.
Westwood’s side showed no let up either, and Winterbottom found her second try on 21 minutes thanks to another superb team move.
Warrington shifted it from right to left once more, before the full back was well positioned to dive over.
Tina Milan was the next to get her name on the scoresheet, showing excellent strength to hold off two players en route to the try line.
If Oulton thought the half-time break would offer a reprieve they were sorely mistaken, as Wolves made it 32-0 seconds after the restart courtesy of Costello.
Shannon Stephens barged through several challenges before finding the stand-off, who ran home unchallenged before Davis converted the penalty with ease.
The visitors seemed to settle briefly, however Libby Clarke quickly dispelled any hopes of a let up, crossing down the right after a fine pass from Brussels. Davis then did well to score from a tight angle to lead 38-0.
Wire went close through Milan on the hourmark, before scoring an eighth try soon after when Brussels displayed great agility to navigate through Oulton’s back line down the left hand side.
A fortuitous bounce saw Davis next to cross on 62 minutes, before the scrum half scored her kick to put Warrington 46-0 ahead.
The visitors’ frustrations were evident towards the game’s finale, as the match became disjointed with several dangerous tackles on show.
Wire saved the best for last though, as Brussels scored a sensational try, evading multiple challenges and running from her own 90 metre line to get the hosts to 50 points in impressive fashion.
