SUPPORTERS who crossed the moors to Cougar Park on Sunday shared in some Warrington Wolves history making.

Tony Smith’s Challenge Cup holders were in a ‘no win’ situation with this tie, as everyone would have expected them to cruise past the Championship part timers despite some hot and cold form.

So to record the club’s highest ever away win in any league or cup competition is a credit to their professionalism and commitment to setting sights on a fourth Wembley trip in five years.

Keighley lacked the Super League experience of Michael Korkidas and Semi Tadulala from last year’s clash, while they probably missed the attacking prowess of injured former Wolves Academy player Scott Leatherbarrow.

The game was over within 16 minutes as Wolves stormed into an 18-0 lead.

The floodgates opened at the start of the second half, when replacement hooker Michael Monaghan was called on to take advantage of the slope, wind and tiring Keighley legs.

Six tries in a devastating 12-minute spell included Ryan Atkins completing his first four-try haul in primrose and blue.

Then 20-year-old prop Glenn Riley capped a fine debut with a try from a powerful surge and there was still time for Brett Hodgson to add a try to his 11 conversions – the most goals kicked in an away game by a Warrington player.

Chris Bridge’s younger brother Danny also made his first appearance, stepping into Ben Westwood’s shoes competently although he did not see much possession on the right-hand side on a day when Wolves looked particularly menacing on the left through the impressive Trent Waterhouse, Richie Myler and Hodgson.

 


 

INTERESTING NOTES

 Wolves’ highest ever away win.

Brett Hodgson’s 11 goals are the most to be kicked by a Warrington player in an away game. He fell four points short of Chris Hicks’ record for most points scored by one player in an away game.

Lowest attendance at a Challenge Cup match involving Wolves for 61 years. Only 750 watched the Challenge Cup first round second leg clash with Liverpool City on February 16, 1952.

Joel Monaghan scored in every round of the Challenge Cup last year but blanked on Sunday.

 


 

Challenge Cup fourth round
Sunday, April 21, 2013

Keighley Cougars...4
Warrington Wolves...74

Cougars: Paul White; Gavin Duffy, Daley Williams, Danny Lawton, Richie Barnett; Danny Jones, Paul March; Sean Hesketh, James Feather, Jode Sheriffe, Olly Pursglove, Ben Sagar, Brendon Rawlins. Subs: Andy Shickell, Joe Chandler, Joe Parkinson, Ryan Patchett.

 

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Rhys Williams, Joel Monaghan, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Gareth O’Brien, Richie Myler; Ben Harrison, Micky Higham, Garreth Carvell, Danny Bridge, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Currie. Subs: Mick Monaghan, Mike Cooper, Tyrone McCarthy, Glenn Riley.

Scoring: Chris Riley try, 8mins, Hodgson goal, 0-6; Atkins try, 12mins, Hodgson goal, 0-12; Waterhouse try, 16mins, Hodgson goal, 0-18; Atkins try, 28mins, 0-22; Williams try, 37mins, 0-26; Williams try, 42mins, Hodgson goal, 0-32; Atkins try, 44mins, Hodgson goal, 0-38; Myler try, 46mins, Hodgson goal, 0-44; Atkins try, 49mins, Hodgson goal, 0-50; Chris Riley try, 52mins, Hodgson goal, 0-56; 0’Brien try, 54mins, Hodgson goal, 0-62; White try, 57mins, 4-62; Glenn Riley try, 60mins, Hodgson goal, 4-68; Hodgson try, 68mins, Hodgson goal, 4-74.

Pens: Cougars 4 Wolves 7

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 1,413

Top Man: Brett Hodgson