WHAT a difference a week makes!

Six days after their Magic Weekend humbling by Castleford, Wolves were back to their irresistible best in front of their home fans.

The Wire faithful, back home for the first time in a month, could be forgiven for thinking ‘here we go again’ when Jimmy Keinhorst crashed over for a first-minute try for Leeds.

Did it phase Tony Smith’s men? Not one bit.

Gene Ormsby equalised before Wire’s defence was to the fore to keep out six consecutive Leeds sets in their own 20, with Rhys Evans standing out with some superb reads to shut the Rhinos down.

Chris Sandow, cheered at every touch, found Tom Lineham with an exquisite kick to give Wolves the lead before Brad Dwyer, a superb performer on his return, dummied his way over from close range.

The beleaguered visitors were in touch at the break after Brett Ferres score, but they were not ready for what hit them in the second half.

The intensity from the Wolves attacking unit was outstanding, the eagerness of the forwards to hurry the ruck along was noticeable, meaning firstly Dwyer and latterly Clark could profit to maximum effect.

Ryan Atkins capped a superb return with a try of his own before Ormsby got his brace after Kurt Gidley’s outrageous offload.

A huge brawl, which resulted in Ashton Sims and Brad Singleton spending ten minutes in the bin, only served to stoke the feverish atmosphere inside the stadium and drive Wire on.

Stefan Ratchford, who slotted brilliantly into the full-back role, waltzed through a massive gap in the Leeds defence to add his name to the scoresheet before Gidley joined the party after being put through a hole by Sandow.

Dwyer’s work was done and what a job he had done, it was clear Wolves had missed the zip he brings off the bench.

Refreshed from the extended break he hadn’t enjoyed for a while, Clark got himself a late brace, either side of another Ferres consolation.

People will say it was nothing less than expected, to gloriously sweep aside the league’s bottom side who are beset with injuries, but let’s not forget the facts.

This Leeds Rhinos side are the holders of all three English competitions – not a bad side to put 50 on!

MATCH FACTS:

Super League Round 16, Friday, May 27, 2016

Warrington Wolves...52 Leeds Rhinos...18

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Tom Lineham, Rhys Evans, Ryan Atkins, Gene Ormsby; Kurt Gidley, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims; Ben Westwood, Ben Currie, Joe Westerman. Subs: Brad Dwyer, George King, Benjamin Jullien, Ryan Bailey. 

Rhinos: Zak Hardaker; Ash Handley, Kallum Watkins, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ashton Golding; Liam Sutcliffe, Danny McGuire; Keith Galloway, Rob Burrow, Brad Singleton; Adam Cuthbertson, Brett Ferres, Brett Delaney. Subs: Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Mitch Garbutt, Mitch Achurch, Jordan Lilley.

Scoring: Keinhorst try, 1min, Sutcliffe goal, 0-6; Ormsby try, 6mins, Gidley goal, 6-6; Lineham try, 16mins, Gidley goal, 12-6; Dwyer try, 30mins, Gidley goal, 18-6; Ferres try, 33mins, Sutcliffe goal, 18-12; Atkins try, 42mins, 22-12; Ormsby try, 48mins, Gidley goal, 28-12; Ratchford try, 55mins, Gidley goal, 34-12; Gidley try, 61mins, Gidley goal, 40-12; Clark try, 65mins, Gidley goal, 46-12; Ferres try, 69mins, Sutcliffe goal, 46-18; Clark try, 73mins, Gidley goal, 52-18.

Penalties: Wolves 8 Rhinos 8

Referee: Chris Campbell

Attendance: 10,370

Top man: Rhys Evans

STATS SPOT:

Wolves’ biggest Super League victory over Leeds.

Gene Ormsby’s first Super League tries of 2016 for Wolves.

Wolves hit 50 at home for the second time this season.