A FEW weeks ago Tony Smith stated that fixing Wolves’ defensive frailties was ‘not like flicking a switch’ and that it would take time for them to return to the form expected by both themselves and those in the stands.

However, anyone who had watched Wolves in the last few weeks before heading to The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday could be forgiven for thinking that Smith had indeed managed to create such a switch down at Warrington’s Padgate training complex.

The desire to protect their line and the team unity on show against Bradford was chalk and cheese compared to their porous performance on the road in Wakefield two weeks earlier, where Wolves’ attacking prowess was just about enough to secure a victory against a Wildcats side that smelled fear among the primrose and blue ranks.

Indeed, had it not been for some ill-discipline inside their own 10-metre line it would not have been a stretch to envisage Wolves making Bulls their first ‘nilling’ of the season.

As it was, three penalties in quick succession put paid to those hopes in the 22nd minute, but rarely again did Wolves look too troubled in front of their own line.

Much of this was down to the quality of their attacking play and the main difference between the two sides, particularly in an evenly matched first half, was Wolves’ clinical ability to capitalise on attacking positions.

Micky Higham’s sparkling form out of dummy half kept Wolves on the front foot early on and once a 10-0 lead had been created, Wolves looked unlikely to let it go.

A three-try flourish in the final 10 minutes, helped by Bulls tiring after a sustained defensive effort, added the gloss to Wolves’ best performance in several weeks.

Ben Currie more than justified his third straight start at loose forward, while Wolves can also celebrate having three Super League debutants on the pitch.

Glenn Riley and Danny Bridge showed they were not out of place, while loanee Ben Evans shook off a long-term injury to demonstrate that he may well be a useful boost to the pack when he returns at the end of the season.

 

 

INTERESTING NOTES

Danny Bridge and Glenn Riley both made their Super League debuts, a week after their first team debuts in the Challenge Cup.

The 32-4 victory marked Stefan Ratchford’s 150th career appearance.

Ben Westwood needs one try to reach a century for Warrington, having touched down 99 times in 294 games since 2002.

Brett Hodgson is one point away from 1,000 Super League points (384 for Huddersfield and 615 for Warrington).

Chris Bridge needs three tries to reach 100 career tries, while Chris Riley needs three for 100 Super League tries.

 

 

Super League Round 13

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Warrington Wolves...32 Bradford Bulls...4

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Joel Monaghan, Simon Grix, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler; Mike Cooper, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie. Subs: Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Danny Bridge, Glenn Riley.

Bulls: Brett Kearney; Elliot Kear, Adrian Purtell, Keith Lulia, Michael Platt; Jarrod Sammut, Luke Gale; Nick Scruton, Heath L’Estrange, Manese Manuokafoa, John Bateman, Elliot Whitehead, Chev Walker. Subs: Matt Diskin, Danny Addy, Ben Evans, Adam Sidlow.

Scoring: Grix try, 2mins, 4-0; Currie try, 14mins, Hodgson goal, 10-0; Purtell try, 22mins, 10-4; Riley try, 38mins, 14-4; Joel Monaghan try, 51mins, 18-4; Hill try, 71mins, Hodgson goal, 24-4; Atkins try, 75mins, 28-4; Grix try, 78mins, 32-4.

Pens: Wolves 7 Bulls 7

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 10,901

Top Man: Micky Higham