Warrington Wolves u19s 56 Hull KR u19s 10

LEE Briers was delighted with his young Wolves side as they hammered Hull KR at Victoria Park Arena on Saturday to book an Academy League play-offs place.

A hat-trick of tries from Ben Stansfield was added to by doubles for Daniel Murray and Jack Johnson, as well as further scores for Richard Harris, Daniel Hirst and Nathan Ainsworth.

Briers said: “I am absolutely delighted with the way the boys played.

“I spoke in the week about what I expected of them following last week’s defeat and they responded superbly.

“The intensity in both attack and defence was very high and that enabled us to be in total control throughout the game; our decision making was first class and we scored some very impressive tries.

“I thought from 1-17 they all did their job and hopefully we can continue with this type of performance for our remaining games.

“Harry Reardon had his best game for the club; he really did boss us around the park.

“Ben Stansfield returned to the side after a long absence and scored three excellent tries whilst on the other wing David Foggin-Johnston was a constant threat.

“We are really pleased to have made sure of a top four play-off place but we will not be resting on our laurels.”

Wolves opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a superb kick return from full back Johnson saw him weave from left to right before finding centre Harris, who powered through the Hull KR defensive line and raced 50 metres to score between the posts.

Harris converted himself but four minutes later the visitors hit back when some fine work close to the Wolves line saw the ball reach prop forward Chris Smith and he used his strength to brush off three defenders to score at the side of the posts.

Scrum half Liam Harris added the conversion to level the scores.

Just after the midway point of the half Wolves went back in front when scrum half Harry Reardon took on the Rovers defence and stepped through a gap before finding loose forward Ainsworth, whose inside ball put prop forward Daniel Murray over at the side of the posts.

Harris converted.

Four minutes later great hands close to the line by Wolves kept the ball alive and Johnson scored at the right of the posts. Harris added the extras.

Wolves moved further ahead when pressure on the Hull KR line paid off as hooker Hirst spotted a gap from dummy half and shot through it to score at the left of the posts.

Then a lovely chip through by Johnson saw Ainsworth react quickest to collect and score at the side of the posts. Harris added both conversions.

Right on the stroke of half time a long ball from stand off Toby King sent winger Foggin-Johnston away down the left wing and his kick ahead was weighted perfectly as Johnson outpaced the Rovers defence to collect the ball and touchdown in the left corner to make the interval score 34-6 in Wolves’ favour.

Four minutes into the second half a superb cut out ball from Hirst found winger Stansfield, who rounded his opposite number to score in the right corner.

Harris goaled from the touchline and eight minutes later Johnson collected a Hull KR kick on his own 20 metre line and broke through on a 50 metre run before finding Stansfield.

He raced 30 metres to score between the posts and give Harris a simple conversion.

On the hour Stansfield intercepted a Rovers pass on his own line and raced the length of the field, brushing off an attempted tackle, to score his hat-trick try in the right corner and bring up Wolves’ half century.

They then kept the ball alive brilliantly close to the Rovers line and substitute Yoan Veve put Murray over on the right. Harris added the conversion.

Right on the stroke of full time Rovers stand off Marvin Lee gained a consolation try for his side when he danced round the Wolves defence to score at the side of the posts to make the final score 56-10.

On Thursday, Wolves entertain St Helens at Crosfields ARLFC, kick off 7.00pm.

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Ben Stansfield, Richard Harris, Charlie Phythian, David Foggin-Johnston; Toby King, Harry Reardon; Daniel Murray, Daniel Hirst, Pat Moran, Sam Wilde, Alex Whalley, Nathan Ainsworth. Subs: Robert Holroyd, Yoan Veve, Ellis Gillam, Andy Philbin.