Warrington Wolves 35

Wigan Warriors 24

HOW did they do that?

Rock bottom Warrington Wolves produced one of the unexplained mysteries of the world on Monday when, against all odds and without a coach, they destroyed their arch-rivals in one of the biggest Rugby League upsets in years.

This memorable triumph, the first over Wigan at Wilderspool in 11 years, heralded scenes of jubilation not seen for many a season at the famous old ground.

Non-rugby followers would have thought Warrington had won the Super League, never mind pick up their first league points of the campaign.

Yet, in a strange way, this was just as important to the loyal army of primrose and blue spectators.

They clearly had more faith in the Wolves than anyone else in the game. The massive crowd, who had been let down at Sheffield only three days earlier, were rewarded for their vociferous support with a champagne display of rugby.

Under the last-minute leadership of club skipper Paul Cullen and rugby executive Alex Murphy, Warrington, on the back of thumpings against Bradford, London and Sheffield, were widely expected to make it four defeats from four games.

Yet, something quite exceptional unfolded on the pitch. Something which will live with us all forever.

The Warrington team finally clicked and stars like Nigel Vagana and Tony Tatupu, prematurely written off by the majority of the club's supporters, showed exactly why they had been brought to the club.

Vagana, in particular, was awesome. His brilliant rugby brain was in overdrive for 80 minutes as he scorched in for a mesmeric hat-trick.

He opened a scintillating first 40 minutes with a fifth minute try, darting over from a tap penalty, quickly taken while the Wigan team were still regrouping.

Danny Ellison got on the end of an Andy Farrell chip to level the scores, but it proved only a minor interuption.

Tatupu powered his way through some woeful defence on 14 minutes to give the Wolves the initiative once more, before Vagana intercepted a Sean Long pass to race 80 metres and score, holding off the chasing Danny Ellison.

Roper's second conversion made it 16-4, but more was to come before the break.

Teen ace John Duffy, in his third successive start, sent a wild-looking pass out to Kelly Shelford in front of the Wigan line. Farrell came forward to intercept, but the ball landed in the arms of Shelford who charged over for a six-pointer.

Dreadful Wigan only found their feet midway through the second half.

The introduction of scrum half Craig Murdock made a massive difference as he sparked a fightback which looked more and more likely as time elapsed.

His 64th minute try, on the back of an effort from Andy Johnson, was quickly followed by scores from Ellison and Kris Radlinski.

Farrell's two conversions edged the Warriors within six points of Warrington's lead with nine minutes remaining, Roper having added a penalty during this spell.

But the Wolves held out and when Shelford hoofed over a controversial drop goal, Wigan claiming it had hit a player's hand, and Lee Penny supported Gareth Davies for a try, this precious victory was sealed.

As well as the impressive backs, the forwards were equally as important in this Warrington victory.

Gary Chambers and understudy Warren Stevens were in top form while on-loan George Mann produced his finest game in years, strengthening his bid to be signed up permanently.

This was the proverbial 'great team effort' and produced a quite amazing result.

Only one man was missing to share in this wonderful spectacle - the man who had brought this team together, the man who had prepared this side for the Easter fixtures and the man who will, as a result of his departure, get no recognition for the result.

This recently troubled Wolves team may just have turned the corner.

Sadly, it came too late for John Dorahy.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.