WOLVES boss Tony Smith says his side’s friendly victory over Widnes Vikings has reaffirmed his belief in the squad’s depth.

The Wire scored three tries in the final 12 minutes at the Select Security Stadium to record a 28-18 victory over their near neighbours on Tuesday.

Smith’s side scored five tries in all and the Wolves head of coaching and rugby says the experience gained by the younger players will be all-important when the season starts in February.

Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby also said it would allow some players to take more of a rest when it is needed.

“It’s nice to have depth to keep people on their toes,” he said after the Widnes game.

“It’s rare that you have players who hold down a position all year. The only bloke who can really do that is Chris Hill, and he’s going to miss a few games this year.

“Most of them get injured or need a rest at some stage and it’s important to have depth when that happens.

“Today gives some of those young people the experience of playing in a first team game.”

With the friendly match providing the chance to make unlimited interchanges, Smith did not make any in the first half and he says that was a deliberate ploy.

There were long stints for the likes of Ashton Sims, Jack Hughes and George King in the forwards but Smith says their level of conditioning allowed them to do that without too much of a problem.

“Aside from the last couple of minutes in the first half, it didn’t look like anybody needed to come off in the forwards and that’s very unusual,” he said.

“I wanted them to get a workout here today, I spoke to Jon Clarke and Ben Stirling afterwards and they are really pleased with where the players are at and I am too.”

In a change from the 40-0 thrashing Wolves inflicted upon Vikings in last year’s festive fixture, Tuesday’s clash was much more competitive which pleased Smith.

“I thought the game was played in excellent spirit, there was some good passages of play from both sides,” he said.

“Widnes tried really hard, their scrambling and goal-line defence in the first half was excellent.

“We split them open a few times and could have scored four or five in the first half but because of their determination, they came up with some last-ditch efforts to foil us.

“Overall I’m very pleased, we didn’t come out with too many injuries. Tommy Lineham got a dead leg but he’ll be alright in a few days.”