PLAYING with the freedom of knowing this game would not change the outcome of their season, Wolves produced their best attacking performance in recent weeks.

A play-offs place was already beyond both these sides before kick off in the Super League Super 8s Round 4.

That took some of the usual tenacity out of the atmosphere at The Hallliwell Jones Stadium, with the fixture taking on more of an exhibition or pre-season feel.

But Warrington revelled in that release of pressure and expectation, stringing together some flowing moves with quick offloads, fast rucks and a freedom to express themselves.

If Jack Johnson’s step up from the under 19s caught the eye of the home crowd, then it also allowed Tony Smith to bed in a new half-back partnership.

With Richie Myler on his way to Catalans next season, it was Stefan Ratchford who was thrust forward alongside Chris Sandow to give Wire fans a glimpse of what might become a regular combination next season.

Ratchford, more involved and handed the opportunity to have a say in dictating Wolves’ play, looked dangerous with new boy Sandow also producing his best performance in primrose and blue.

Wolves’ expansive rugby evidently came as a great relief to their wingers, with Kevin Penny crossing for a hat-trick and Joel Monaghan adding two to his total.

Penny also had a say in tries for Gary Wheeler and Ben Currie.

He leapt superbly to knock the ball down into Currie’s path for Wolves’ third after scoring the first and setting the field position with a break for Wheeler to add the second.

Sandow found the Warrington speedster again before the break and his trademark hanging dive and one-handed touch down gave the hosts an 18-point lead.

It showed character from Wolves who, on a four-game losing streak, could well have crumbled when Dean Hadley levelled early on.

But The Wire appeared to be enjoying their rugby, with Penny’s hat-trick coming nine minutes after the break.

Fans in attendance, taking advantage of Wolves’ new membership scheme, were then treated to a seven-minute spell in which the hosts crossed for three tries.

Ryan Atkins, Wheeler and Monaghan scores were followed by a brief reprieve for Hull FC through Mark Minichiello’s double, before debutant Johnson sent his skipper in for a personal second and Wire's ninth.

MATCH FACTS

Super League Super 8s Round 4, Sunday, September 6, 2015.

Warrington Wolves...46 Hull FC...16

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Kevin Penny, Gary Wheeler, Ryan Atkins, Joel Monaghan; Stefan Ratchford, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Roy Asotasi, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie, George King. Subs: Brad Dwyer, Ben Harrison, Joe Philbin, Sam Wilde.

Hull FC: Jamie Shaul; Curtis Naughton, Jordan Rankin, Jack Logan, Steve Michaels; Jordan Abdull, Marc Sneyd; Liam Watts, Danny Houghton, Mickey Paea, Dean Hadley, Mark Minichiello, Joe Westerman. Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Josh Bowden, Jack Downs, Brad Fash.

Scoring: Penny try, 6 mins, Sandow goal, 6-0; Hadley try, 13 mins, Sneyd goal, 6-6; Wheeler try, 19 mins, Sandow goal, 12-6; Currie try, 22 mins, Sandow goal, 18-6; Penny try, 25 mins, 22-6; Penny try, 49 mins, Sandow goal, 28-6; Atkins try, 56 mins, Sandow goal, 34-6; Wheeler try, 59 mins, 38-6; Monaghan try, 63 mins, 42-6; Minichiello try, 66 mins, Sneyd goal, 42-12; Minichiello try, 69 mins, 42-16; Monaghan try, 80 mins, 46-16.

Penalties: Wolves 8 Hull FC 8

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 8,076
Top man: Kevin Penny