Warrington Wolves under 19s 46 Leeds Rhinos u19s 14

WARRINGTON Wolves produced a stunning display to comprehensively defeat Leeds Rhinos in the Under 19s Academy at Crosfields ARLFC on Thursday and move close to securing a top four play-offs position.

Wolves, who fielded seven players in their starting 13 in their first year at this level, turned in a terrific all-round team performance to run out convincing winners over a Rhinos side that had no answer to their power, skill and application.

Wolves under 19s head coach Lee Briers said: “That was a very pleasing evening’s work from all 17 players; I was absolutely delighted with the way we went about our business.

“Our game management was top drawer; we stuck to our structures and really dominated the game.

“Our forwards were immense and that allowed our backs to flourish. I was also really happy with the contribution from all four of our substitutes; when they were introduced they gave us a lift and continued the great work that the players they replaced had done.

“Our go-forward was really impressive and allowed us to stay on the front foot for the majority of the game.

“We now have a break for two weeks until our next fixture at Castleford (Saturday, August 15) and we will use that time to continue working on our game to ensure we are in the best possible condition to continue our fine form.”

It was Rhinos who opened the scoring in the second minute when a fine break from loose forward Josh Jordan-Roberts split the Wolves defence and a quick play the ball enabled Leeds to take advantage of an overlap, as winger Ryan Jones squeezed over in the right corner.

But Wolves responded six minutes later when a jinking run by full back Jack Johnson saw him evade three defenders before finding loose forward Nathan Ainsworth, who put centre Charlie Phythian over wide out on the left.

Stand off Morgan Smith landed the conversion.

Shortly afterwards pressure on the Leeds line paid off for Wolves on the last tackle as hooker Reece Brunt put prop forward Daniel Murray over at the side of the posts.

Smith converted and then just after the midway point of the half good work from second row Alex Whalley and scrum half Harry Reardon paved the way for prop forward Pat Moran to crash over on the left. Smith added the conversion.

Wolves moved further ahead when Smith danced round the Leeds defence to score at the right of the posts.

He converted himself but then just before the half hour mark Rhinos substitute Ben Brady spotted a gap, scooted from dummy half and raced 30 metres to score between the posts.

Stand off Joe Sanderson converted to make the half time score 24-10 in Wolves’ favour.

Twelve minutes into the second half quick hands from Wolves saw the ball reach centre Toby King and his inside ball found winger Declan Kay, who raced 30 metres to score on the right.

Smith converted and 10 minutes later a lovely ball from substitute Yoan Veve found Murray, who powered over under the posts for his second try of the game. Smith once again added the conversion.

Wolves continued to dominate and when they forced Leeds to drop out from under their own sticks the ball was collected on the halfway line by winger David Foggin-Johnston and he broke through the Rhinos line and raced 50 metres to score a superb try in the left corner.

But four minutes later the Rhinos bagged a consolation try when the ball was sent out wide to centre Tom Brierley and he scored in the left corner.

Fittingly it was Wolves who had the final say when two minutes from time they had a scrum on their own 40 metre line and the ball was fed out to substitute Richard Harris, who broke clear and raced 60 metres, outpacing the chasing cover to score on the right.

Smith added the extras to complete an outstanding 46-14 victory.

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Declan Kay, Toby King, Charlie Phythian, David Foggin-Johnston; Morgan Smith, Harry Reardon; Daniel Murray, Reece Brunt, Pat Moran, Alex Whalley, Ellis Gillam, Nathan Ainsworth. Subs: Robert Holroyd, Yoan Veve, Richard Harris, Andy Philbin.