MOST Warrington Wolves fans will agree that it truly was a magic weekend.

Not only did fans once again get to bathe in glorious sunshine at the Etihad and soak up the amazing atmosphere, but Wolves capped the day off with an emphatic victory against the old enemy to gain revenge for the earlier defeat at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The match even contained a collector’s item, a rare try for Adrian Morley on the stroke of full time, his first in nearly two years and only his ninth in primrose and blue.

For many, that moment will have been a personal highlight of what was an excellent day, the charge of Morley’s support run, the huge pile-on from his teammates and the ear-to-ear grin on the captain’s face as he clambered to his feet.

The celebrations seemed to nicely sum up the team’s feeling about the match in general, the redemption after the disappointing loss to Hull and the pleasing way in which Wolves tore Saints apart, even after they had threatened to re-enact Hull’s comeback a week earlier.

But as Tony Smith said after the match, there was little chance of Saints ever managing to pull off such a feat.

That was due to the fatigue Saints obviously felt due to only a four-day turnaround from their victory over Leeds, an opinion bolstered by the fact that 50 percent of Wolves’ tries came in the final three minutes of each half.

Saints battled bravely throughout, scoring some wonderful tries and asking questions of Wolves’ mettle early in the second half when threatening a comeback.

But from the moment Jon Wilkin’s suicidal second-minute kick gifted Wolves a chance to open the scoring, it felt that the game was only ever going one way.

Stefan Ratchford, who was imperious at full back, and Micky Higham both continued the superb run of form that has been the hallmark of their season so far, but it is also worth mentioning Chris Riley’s brilliant attacking performance on the wing.

Two tries, one of which showed remarkable strength and determination to carry two defenders over the line from distance, and a clever assist for Trent Waterhouse were the highlights for a player who himself admitted that he has not yet been at his best this season.

All together now: “Joel Joel, Joel Joel Joel Joel, Joel Joel Joel Joel, Joel Joel Joel Joel Monaghan, Michael, Michael, Michael...”

 

 

INTERESTING NOTES

Wolves’ fifth win in seven Magic Weekend fixtures.

Adrian Morley’s first try since scoring in the Super League game against Crusaders on June 3, 2011.

Ben Westwood needs one try to reach 100 for Warrington, touching down 99 times in 296 games since 2002.

Chris Riley is one try away from his Super League 100, having scored 97 for Warrington and two for Harlequins.

Simon Grix needs one appearance to reach 150 for Warrington, he made his debut on April 2, 2006.

 

 

Super League Round 16

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Warrington Wolves...48 St Helens...22

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Joel Monaghan, Simon Grix, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Richie Myler; Paul Wood, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Mike Cooper. Subs: Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Ben Currie.

Saints: Lance Hohaia; Ade Gardner, Jordan Turner, Mark Percival, Tom Makinson; Nathan Ashe, Jon Wilkin; Tony Puletua, Stuart Howarth, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sia Soliola, Willie Manu, Josh Jones. Subs: Luke Thompson, Alex Walmesley, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Clough.

Scoring: Riley try, 2mins, Ratchford goal, 6-0; Atkins try, 4mins, Ratchford goal, 12-0; Gardner try, 16mins, Makinson goal, 12-6; Turner try, 23mins, 12-10; Riley try, 28mins, Ratchford goal, 18-10; Briers try, 37mins, Ratchford goal, 24-10; Waterhouse try, 40mins, Ratchford goal, 30-10; Turner try, 52mins, Makinson goal, 30-16; Hohaia try, 60mins, Makinson goal, 30-22; Waterhouse try, 72mins, Ratchford goal, 36-22; Grix try, 78mins, Ratchford goal, 42-22; Morley try, 80mins, Ratchford goal, 48-22.

Pens: Wolves 4 Saints 1

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 30, 793 (for all four matches)

Top Man: Stefan Ratchford