WOLVES continued to carve out a winning groove at Wakefield in what was a strange victory.

On the face of it, a big win at a tricky venue on the back of huge successes against Catalan Dragons and St Helens is pleasing.

And as boss Tony Smith pointed out, the achievement with 16 British players – due to the Monaghan brothers and Trent Waterhouse joining Paul Wood and Simon Grix on the sidelines with injuries – was considerable.

Effort was high, defence was extremely tight, Wolves’ fitness was clearly superior and some cracking tries were scored.

There was plenty to admire about the star performer Ben Currie, with his wonderful footwork, ball handling skill and kicking ability rewarding the supporting Chris Bridge and Richie Myler with second-half tries after he had bagged two of his own with perfect execution at right centre in the opening 40 minutes.

And it was another impressive contribution from Bridge and Stefan Ratchford as half-back partners, combining well and with one or both of them playing a part in the majority of the seven Wolves tries.

Further positives came in the pack, with the continuing dominance of Chris Hill up front and Ben Harrison looking like his old self again as his match fitness levels rise after returning from a long lay-off.

Despite all the plus points, it had been a dour spectacle in the main – not helped by the low attendance in outdated surroundings.

Most of the tries came in bursts, three in the final eight minutes of the first half and two in the last six minutes.

Much of the rest of the game was scrappy, with Wolves conceding the majority of the 21 tackles awarded and at least matching Wakefield in the high error count.

Wolves’ defence should be applauded most.

And the tone for that was established early on, successfully holding out for four back-to-back sets as Wakefield sought an early breakthrough.

Such commitment for each other in those opening eight minutes played as big a role in the victory as anything else.

INTERESTING NOTES

Wolves’ ninth successive defeat of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Wakefield’s last defeat of Wolves came a week before Warrington’s Challenge Cup Final appearance in 2009

The last Wakefield home win against Wolves was 48-22 in February 2009 under James Lowes

Wakefield have only won at home once this season

First time this season Wolves have won three Super League games on the trot

Ben Currie’s first double strike in an away Super League game

First time Ben Currie has started a Super League game in the centres

Chris Bridge needs seven points to record 1,000 in his career

MATCH FACTS

Super League Round 14, Sunday May 25, 2014

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 4 Warrington Wolves 36

Wildcats: Jarrod Sammut; Richie Mathers, Matt Ryan, Lucas Walshaw, Richard Owen; Paul Sykes, Harry Siejka; Scott Anderson, Matty Wildie, Nick Scruton, Danny Washbrook, Danny Kirmond, Jacob Fairbank. Subs: Pita Godinet, Richard Moore, Chris Annakin, Jon Molloy.

Wolves: Matty Russell; Gene Ormsby, Ben Currie, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Evans; Stefan Ratchford, Chris Bridge; Chris Hill, Micky Higham, Anthony England, Ben Westwood, James Laithwaite, Ben Harrison. Subs: Richie Myler, Roy Asotasi, Brad Dwyer, Ben Evans.

Scoring: Ratchford try, 11mins, Bridge goal, 0-6; Currie try, 39mins, 0-10; Currie try, 40+2mins, 0-14; Ormsby try, 40+6mins, 0-18; Bridge try, 46mins, Bridge goal, 0-24; Walshaw try, 54mins, 4-24; Atkins try, 74mins, Bridge goal, 4-30; Myler try, 79mins, Bridge goal 4-36.

Referee: George Stokes

Penalties: Wildcats 11 Wolves 10

Attendance: 3,698

Top Man: Ben Currie