WARRINGTON Wolves’ season keeps getting better!

Their youngsters won the inaugural Rugby League 9s event at Headingley last night.

Richard Marshall’s team, who won the Cheltenham 9s last season, defeated Cumbria 18-10 in the final to lift the All Golds Cup and £10,000 prize.

En route, Wolves defeated hosts Leeds Rhinos 26-20 in the last eight and hot favourites Wigan Warriors 12-4 in the semi finals.

It was Wigan’s first defeat from 13 games, including the 12 from the four weekly rounds prior to last night’s finals.

Leeds included internationals Ali Lauitiiti and Weller Hauraki in their ranks.

Under 20s head coach Marshall said: “We thoroughly deserved to win the competition having triumphed over a very strong Leeds Rhinos side and an unbeaten Wigan Warriors team and then to beat Cumbria, who we feel have been the best team we have faced during the qualification weeks.

“I am absolutely delighted and proud of every one of the squad who have played in this competition.

“We played very smart and composed rugby all night and that was shown in the results.

“Ryan Shaw was one of our best performers on the night and we were very well led by captain James Mendeika.

“Gavin Williams and Brad Dwyer were very lively from dummy half and kept us on the front foot.

“The kicking of Gavin proved crucial on the night, converting all but two of our tries.

“I must say a big thanks to all of the staff involved in preparing the side over the past five weeks especially Danny Fullerton, assisted by Peter Nicholson, who has taken a leading role for this tournament."

Marshall added: "We are a very good and skilful 9-a-side team and we have really took to this concept well and we will now be looking to take this confidence into the rest of our league campaign that resumes on Friday when we entertain Huddersfield Giants in the Valvoline Cup in a curtain raiser to the Engage Super League clash between the same sides. Kick off is 5.30pm at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. The future of the club is very bright with the quality of youngsters coming through."

Wolves’ 13-man squad: Ben Hellewell, Rhys Williams, Ryan Shaw, James Mendeika (captain), Ben Currie, James Saltonstall, Ben Evans, Tyrone McCarthy, Gavin Williams, James Laithwaite, Glenn Riley, Brad Dwyer, Paul Brearley.

* Rhys Evans finished third behind Salford’s Jodie Broughton and Leeds’ Ben Jones-Bishop in the Fastest Man sprint challenge as part of the 9s finals’ night.