THAT is more like it, Warrington!
By miles, Friday’s dismantling of table-toppers Leeds was Wolves’ best showing of the season so far.
The free-scoring Rhinos, who had been banging in an average 33 points per game, came unstuck against a well-organised and highly enthusiastic Warrington defence.
And Wolves’ time with the ball was equally masterful, clinical when opportunities were created.
The first 25 minutes, when Tony Smith’s men assembled a 14-0 lead, were almost faultless on a night they committed few errors, while a drastically improved kicking game compared to earlier in the campaign helped to set the platform.
Impressive performances were delivered across the park, from Richie Myler bossing the game, the forwards getting over the top, to the young left edge of Declan Patton, Ben Currie, Toby King and Gene Ormsby delivering on their potential.
In years to come, the game will perhaps be remembered for one kick more than anything else.
Bulging forward Ben Harrison, who has not previously revealed skills off the boot to match those of his shovel-hands, showed the panache of Pele in flighting a 40-metre punt for Joel Monaghan’s first-half try.
That was a victory, though, for the split-second vision as much as the act itself. Surprise in Harrison’s achievement was emphasised by the teammates who mobbed him in back-play.
Blossoming Ben Currie’s growing influence was also in evidence.
Leeds, deceived into thinking the ball was going to Patton for a kick on the last tackle, were found wanting when Currie took play to the narrow side and dabbed a grubber behind the defence for Gene Ormsby to pounce.
Currie stepped up again when an angled blast of 15 metres needed four defenders to prevent him touching down, but that simply created space for Ashton Sims to crash over on the next tackle.
His night’s fine work was capped by his display of speed to support a break by Daryl Clark continued by Stefan Ratchford as he finished off a killer try two minutes into the second half.
The run of pictures showing Ben Harrison's kick, resulting in Joel Monaghan's try, Monaghan and Chris Bridge smile and laugh at the build-up and Harrison is mobbed in back-play by his teammates
INTERESTING NOTES
Wolves’ first win at Leeds since 42-6 success on May 27, 2011
Declan Patton’s first point for Warrington
Kevin Sinfield’s 500th game for Leeds n Biggest crowd for a Leeds v Wolves game at Headingley in Super League era
Wolves only team to beat Leeds in 2015
MATCH FACTS
Super League Round 12, Friday, April 24, 2015
Leeds Rhinos...10 Warrington Wolves...29
Rhinos: Zak Hardaker; Kallum Watkins, Carl Ablett, Joel Moon, Ash Handley; Danny McGuire, Liam Sutcliffe;Adam Cuthbertson, Paul Aiton, Jamie Peacock, Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney, Brad Singleton. Subs: Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, Mich Achurch, Rob Mulhern.
Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Toby King, Gene Ormsby; Declan Patton, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Micky Higham, Ashton Sims, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Daryl Clark, Roy Asotasi, Anthony England, James Laithwaite.
Scoring: Ormsby try, 11mins, 0-4; Monaghan try, 17mins, 0-8; Sims try, 25mins, Ratchford goal, 0-14; Watkins try, 39mins, 4-14; Currie try, 44mins, Ratchford goal, 4-20; Asotasi try, 51mins, Ratchford goal, 4-26; Ratchford penalty, 64mins, 4-28; Achurch try, 70mins, Sutcliffe conversion, 10-28; Patton drop goal, 74mins, 10-29.
Penalties: Rhinos 7 Wolves 4
Referee: James Child
Attendance: 17,430
Top man: Ben Currie
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