THE Wire will face better teams than Huddersfield Giants this season.

However, in many ways this was as big a test of their exhilarating form as they have had.

On Friday, they came up against an opposition whose game plan was based upon bringing the game down to a painfully slow pace, particularly at the ruck.

Kicking for territory when 10 points down rather than trying to set up an attack was as clear an indication as any that damage limitation was at the forefront of the Giants’ minds.

Last year – even earlier this year – The Wire would have got frustrated and made needless errors that would have proved their downfall.

There was an element of that in the first half, but they have to be credited for not being flustered.

Warrington displayed a key quality for any successful rugby league team – patience.

They knew their points would come eventually and as the visitors tired from almost constant defending, they duly did.

Some of the tries they scored displayed superb handling skills and when you have finishers of the calibre of Josh Charnley and Tom Lineham to get on the end of your moves, the points are always likely to flow.

When Charnley’s signing was announced, it was acknowledged that the hard work to bring in a winger of his class would only bear fruit if he had a centre inside him that will give him adequate service.

Many were worried Ryan Atkins would not give him enough ball, but two of the winger’s treble of tries came from excellent passes from the centre on his 250th Wire appearance.

It was also good to see the forwards showing enough confidence to throw the ball around, with Chris Hill, Ben Westwood and Sitaleki Akauola showing they are more than just battering rams.

With Ben Currie now on the sidelines for the rest of the season, Harvey Livett now has the chance to nail down that left-edge spot.

A well-taken try and some efficient defence certainly did his prospects no harm whatsoever.

Things continue to click into gear for The Wire, and they should head into a challenging run of fixtures in May with no fear.

Steve Price has repeatedly said that he does not look at the league table. If this form continues for much longer, he may just allow himself a quick glance.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Ryan Atkins makes his 250th Warrington appearance.

. The first of Josh Charnley’s three tries was his 150th in Super League.

. Eighth straight win in all competitions for The Wire.

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round 13

Friday, April 27, 2018

Warrington Wolves…38 Huddersfield Giants…4

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Ryan Atkins, Bryson Goodwin, Tom Lineham; Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Sitaleki Akauola, Jack Hughes, Harvey Livett, Ben Westwood. Subs: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Joe Philbin, Dec Patton, George King.

Giants: Jake Mamo; Darnell McIntosh, Jordan Turner, Aaron Murphy, Jared Simpson; Sam Wood, Jordan Rankin; Sebastine Ikahihifo, Adam O’Brien, Paul Clough, Ukuma Ta’ai, Michael Lawrence, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Subs: Kruise Leeming, Oliver Roberts, Daniel Smith, Tyler Dickinson.

Scoring: Charnley try, 22mins, Goodwin goal, 6-0; McIntosh try, 26mins, 6-4; Ratchford try, 32mins, 10-4; Lineham try, 38mins, 14-4; Charnley try, 58mins, 18-4; Charnley try, 62mins, Ratchford goal, 24-4; Ratchford try, 68mins, 28-4; Livett try, 70mins, 32-4; Philbin try, 75mins, Livett goal, 38-4;

Penalties: Wolves 9 Giants 6

Referee: Tom Grant

Attendance: 8,792

Top man (Guardian reader’s vote): Josh Charnley