STEVE Price spoke of the pride he feels in his Warrington Wolves team after achieving a first win in charge.

The Wire defeated Widnes Vikings 18-10 at the Halton Stadium to kick-start their campaign after two defeats.

Ryan Atkins crossed for two tries, with the impressive Stefan Ratchford grabbing the other in an incident-packed match that saw Wire hanging on with 12 men in the final 10 minutes.

“It was a good gutsy win,” said Price.

“Widnes scored two tries off kicks but the amount of field position they had on our try line, I thought our goal-line D was fantastic how we stayed in the fight.

“We showed a lot of resolve. Mike Cooper got 10 minutes, with nine minutes to go, so we were playing with 12. I’m just really proud of the guys.

“There was a lot of effort. We spoke all week about our attitude.

“Widnes have been going really well. They were a bit unlucky against Cas last week so it was a good result for us, we hung tough. We can start our season.

“It’s really important to get your first win. We’re disappointed with our start to the season but it was a great response by the boys and we can kick on from here now.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Looke back over the tries and celebrations

Price highlighted the display of England full-back Ratchford, after two previous below-par performances by his standards.

“I thought Stef Ratchford was outstanding and with how he’s rebounded from the opening two games is credit to Stef. That’s why he’s an international player.”

Ratchford pulled off a try-saving effort on Jay Chapelhow late on when a try looked a certainty.

“It was a big game-changing play,” said Price.

“There was a number of things he did really well, such as jumping into the line when we short. That’s what Test players do.

“I thought Ryan Atkins really stood up tonight, and Daryl Clark. There’s a number of really good performers.

“I thought the game had a bit of brutality at times. Once we understand and get our penalties down in our yardage areas we’re going to keep climbing.”

He said Wolves did make it harder than they needed to on occasions.

“It was 18-4, we were in possession, Ben Currie plays the ball and Jack Hughes scores. Referee calls play on and we’d have gone 24-4 there. I’d like to think we’d have kicked on from there but a penalty is awarded against us in possession, so that hurt us. But there was a lot of good signs for us going forward.”

Price said other than Joe Philbin, Wolves look to have come through a tough game in decent shape.

Philbin went off in the first half with concussion.

“He’s not too bad in the sheds,” said Price.

“It was a heavy concussion out there but he’s pretty good now.”