WOLVES’ routine victory over their southern visitors was the proverbial game of two halves, though neither one was particularly inspiring in terms of entertainment.

Warrington opened the first half with a real rollercoaster performance, at times looking disjointed, rusty in attack and weak defensively.

Broncos, fielding a weakened side that included a schoolboy half back in the shape of James Woodburn-Hall, tested Wolves throughout the first half and must have felt that they still had a chance when trooping in at half time thanks to the impressive Kieran Dixon’s hat-trick.

And considering Wolves boss Tony Smith had returned experienced trio Brett Hodgson, Michael Monaghan and Chris Bridge to the starting line-up following their rest against Widnes, it was a worrying continuation of the form that saw them lose three in five before Easter Monday.

That was until a tighter, slicker Wolves side emerged after the break and started to dominate.

Whatever was said by Tony Smith at half time obviously did the trick, as Wolves easily kept the visitors at bay while running in six unanswered tries in the second period.

While that may not have provided any more of a spectacle to the 9,681 in the crowd, it certainly helped calm the fears of the home support, who could have been forgiven for worrying that a second Easter defeat was on the cards.

Richie Myler and Stefan Ratchford were impressive in equal measure after half time, while the contribution of substitute forwards Ben Currie and Mike Cooper was highlighted after the game by both Willie Poching and Ben Harrison.

Eighteen-year-old Currie, in particular, looked every inch the exciting prospect and it would have taken a brick wall to stop the youngster from finding the try line on 70 minutes, such was his desperation to get over the whitewash.

Ultimately not much can be taken from this game considering the quality of the opposition and the strength of the Wolves side on display.

What is certain is that Wolves have yet to produce the hallowed 80-minute performance that is likely to be needed for a victory against champions Leeds on Sunday.

 


 

INTERESTING NOTES

Chris Bridge’s brace means the centre has scored four tries in four games during his injury-hit start to the season.

Ben Currie scored his first try of the season.

Only Ryan Atkins, Chris Hill and Richie Myler have started all of Wolves’ games this year.

Stefan Ratchford is the Wolves player with the longest run of consecutive appearances, with his 29 games going back to Wakefield away on May 20, 2012.

One more try is needed for Ben Westwood to clock up his 100th in primrose and blue.

Wolves maintained their winning home run against Broncos, which stretches back to the 8-6 defeat on March 29, 2008.

 


 

Super League Round 10
Monday, April 1, 2013

Warrington Wolves…54
London Broncos…20

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Williams; Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler; Paul Wood, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hill, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix. Subs: Garreth Carvell, Ben Harrison, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie.

Broncos: Alex Hurst; Kieran Dixon, Michael Channing, Chris Melling, Liam Colbon; Michael Witt, James Woodburn-Hall; Matt Cook, Chad Randall, Scott Wheeldon, Mike McMeekan, Will Lovell, Antonio Kaufusi. Subs: Olsi Krasniqi, Ben Fisher, Erjon Dollapi, Shane Grady.

Scoring: Dixon try, 7mins, 0-4; Monaghan try, 10mins, 4-4; Williams try, 12mins, Hodgson goal, 10-4; Dixon try, 19mins, 10-8; Bridge try, 23mins, Hodgson goal, 16-8; Bridge try, 27mins, Hodgson goal, 22-8; Dixon try, 37mins, Witt goal, 22-14; Hodgson try, 44mins, Hodgson goal, 28-14; Ratchford try, 62mins, Hodgson goal, 34-14; Ratchford try, 64mins, Hodgson goal, 40-14; Joel Monaghan try, 66mins, 44-14; Currie try, 69mins, 48-14; Williams try, 74mins, Hodgson goal, 54-14; Dollapi try, 80mins, Witt goal, 54-20.

Pens: Wolves 4 Broncos 4

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Attendance: 9,681

Top Man: Stefan Ratchford