MANY questions have been asked of Warrington Wolves over the past year or so.
They remain far from the finished article – they will admit as much themselves – but at the moment, they are coming up with the answers.
Right now, concerns over the team’s incisiveness with ball in hand are a distant memory after this ruthless, clinical showing.
Presented with a Salford side still finding their feet under new management and beset by injuries and suspension, the expectation of the Wire faithful was a comfortable victory.
Their side delivered. And some.
> VIDEO: What Steve Price made of his side's win at Salford Red Devils
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect is that despite a Challenge Cup semi final being on the horizon and with a comfortable lead, the cue did not go on the rack in the later stages of the game.
The way the foot remained on the gas demonstrated the kind of ruthless streak that is needed to contend for trophies and lofty league positions.
A big part of that is the developing chemistry within the team’s creative spine, led by the irrepressible Gareth Widdop.
This is the player Warrington parted with marquee money to sign.
We are seeing what Widdop can do when his mind is clear and his focus is on rugby and nothing else – and it is quite a sight.
Blake Austin is stepping up, too, and the partnership that was much vaunted when it was first brought together is showing signs of life.
A 10-15 minute period in the first half aside where they threatened to deconstruct the platform laid by a marvellous opening quarter, control never slipped from their grasp.
Tries came at good times – namely Jake Mamo’s effort on the stroke of half time and Widdop’s opportunistic score just after the interval – and in the end, Salford’s spirit and discipline broke down.
> Watch all 10 of Warrington Wolves' tries from the game
A word too for Danny Walker, perhaps a surprise starter but he delivered a confident display to reaffirm that he can be a safe pair of hands at dummy-half.
Save for a couple of knocks, Steve Price will have got everything he wanted and more out of this game, with the luxury of not having to call Daryl Clark from the bench a welcome bonus.
> The latest injury news from the Warrington Wolves camp
This group of players have shown what can happen when everything clicks and given supporters a taste of what is possible.
Bigger tests loom large on the horizon, but the signs are certainly encouraging.
The message is clear – more of the same, please.
INTERESTING NOTES:
. Wire’s first win over Salford since 2018
. The first time Wolves have scored 60 points in a game since 63-12 win at Hull FC in March 2019
. Toby King makes his 100th Super League appearance
. Stefan Ratchford scores his first try of the season
MATCH FACTS:
Super League, Round Eight
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Salford Red Devils...18 Warrington Wolves...62
Red Devils: Morgan Escare; Ken Sio, Kallum Watkins, Harvey Livett, Rhys Williams; Tui Lolohea, Chris Atkin; Jack Ormondroyd, Elijah Taylor, Seb Ikahihifo, Ryan Lannon, Oliver Roberts, Greg Burke. Subs: Darcy Lussick, Jack Wells, Sam Luckley, Declan Patton
Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Tom Lineham, Jake Mamo, Toby King, Josh Charnley; Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Danny Walker, Joe Philbin, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Matt Davis. Subs: Robbie Mulhern, Jason Clark, Sitaleki Akauola. Not used: Daryl Clark
Scoring: Ratchford try, 2mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; Walker try, 7mins, Ratchford goal, 0-12; King try, 11mins, Ratchford goal, 0-18; Sio try, 23mins, Livett goal, 6-18; Ratchford penalty, 26mins, 6-20; Livett try, 34mins, Livett goal, 12-20; Mamo try, 40mins, Ratchford goal, 12-26; Widdop try, 42mins, Ratchford goal, 12-32; Lussick try, 49mins, Livett goal, 18-32; Mamo try, 54mins, Ratchford goal, 18-38; King try, 60mins, Ratchford goal, 18-44; Hill try, 65mins, Ratchford goal, 18-50; Currie try, 70mins, Ratchford, 18-56; Widdop try, 78mins, Ratchford goal, 18-62
Penalties: Red Devils 2 Wolves 6
Sin bin: Escare (52mins, high tackle), Lussick (58mins, high tackle)
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
Attendance: 2,306
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