WARRINGTON Wolves reduced Wigan Warriors’ lead at the top of the Super League table to just two points as they completed a fine week with a convincing 26-12 victory over Bradford Bulls at Odsal.

Wigan and Wolves’ bruising clash obviously took its toll on the league leaders on Friday night, as they fell to a 18-4 defeat to Castleford Tigers to give Wolves a further incentive to pick up two points.

Wolves, too, were weakened by their victory at the start of the week, missing Chris Hill, Richie Myler, Joel Monaghan and Micky Higham for the trip to Odsal. But they were able to shrug off those changes to run out comfortable winners against Francis Cummins’ men, who lacked a cutting edge and struggled to really test Wolves’ defence except for two instances in an improved second half showing.

As a result Wolves were never really called to find top gear, but still cruised to victory thanks to clinical finishing from Ben Currie, Trent Waterhouse, Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan and Ryan Atkins.

Wolves started with good intent, but couldn’t quite make it stick. Rhys Williams kicked on up the right wing to force the first of two early goal-line drop-outs, but Lee Briers was held up over the line by Matt Diskin before Trent Waterhouse lost the ball in the tackle to relieve some of the pressure. Wolves continued to press in the opening six minutes, but Bulls’ early line defence held strong.

Despite their strong start at the back, Bulls struggled to keep the ball in Wolves’ half, having to wait until the 13th minute before their first real attack of note. They still had tackles in the bag when Danny Addy hoisted a poor high kick out to Wolves’ right edge, where Rhys Williams cleaned up the danger.

A high shot from Garreth Carvell on his soon-to-be teammate then gave the hosts to attack again, but Jamie Foster fumbled the ball inside Wolves 10m line to waste a promising chance to open the scoring.

That honour would eventually fall to Ben Currie, who took his side into the lead in almost effortless fashion by latching on to Stefan Ratchford’s pass and ghosting through a gaping hole on Bulls’ right flank to beat Foster to the corner.

Brett Hodgson missed the touchline conversion, but he soon had the chance to make amends when Briers doubled the visitor’s advantage just two minutes later. Briers also kick-started the move, with the ball moving up the right flank through Simon Grix and Rhys Williams before the stand off touched down in the corner. Hodgson’s conversion made it 10-0 after 25 minutes.

Bulls had enjoyed the best of the penalty count throughout the first half, but it was Wolves that made theirs count just before the break. First, a penalty for holding down gave the guests to pounce through Michael Monaghan, who was lightening quick out of dummy half to shrug off a poor Manese Manuokafoa tackle and plant the ball down next to the posts.

Then a wonderful break courtesy of Mike Cooper’s offload to Stefan Ratchford allowed Tyrone McCarthy to take Wolves within 15metres of Bulls’ line and much to the frustration of the home crowd, referee Richard Silverwood gifted Wolves a penalty when Monaghan attempted to burrow over on the last tackle. Wolves were clinical, taking advantage of Bulls’ weakening defence to charge over through Trent Waterhouse. Hodgson added one of the goals and Wolves took a 20-0 lead into the break.

The game continued in much the same fashion after the restart, with Bulls offering their fans very little in way of excitement as Wolves dominated both possession and field position. The introduction of Chris Bridge sparked a chorus of applause from the healthy travelling contingent, with Bridge taking up a position inside of Williams as Grix moved into dummy half.

Twice Wolves went close to adding to their score, before Ryan Atkins finally opened their second half account by intercepting Heath L’Estrange’s pass and racing 30 metres to touch down. Hodgson added the extras for 26-0.

Both sides then had chances to change the score, Ben Westwood fumbling Hodgson’s short ball over the line before Foster’s pass went into touch at the other end instead of putting Michael Platt over in the corner.

The home crowd could have been forgiven that a try was never going to come, particularly when John Bateman’s drive over the line was deemed to be held up on 65minutes. But Bradford would soon break their duck from the next play, Chev Walker charging on to Danny Addy’s pass to get the hosts on the board. Foster’s kick reduced the arrears to 26-6.

Bulls had really lacked any real killer instinct during the match, but they were able to make the scoreline slightly flattering in the final minute, when James Donaldson crossed to give Foster a chance to make it 26-12 on the final hooter.

Bulls: Jamie Foster; Elliot Kear, Adrian Purtell, Keith Lulia, Michael Platt; Danny Addy, Heath L’Estrange; Nick Scruton, Matt Diskin, Adam Sidlow, John Bateman, Matty Blythe, James Donaldson. Subs: Manese Manuokafoa, Chev Walker, Ben Evans, Alex Mellor.

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Rhys Williams, Simon Grix, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Stefan Ratchford; Garreth Carvell, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie. Subs: Chris Bridge, Adrian Morley, Mike Cooper Tyrone McCarthy.