Warrington Wolves winners of League Leaders' Shield in 2016

And it was a case of: 'Never write off The Wire!'

Those who did, so vociferously, only helped to motivate a young and almost entirely British Wolves side secure the all-important win at Hull FC 23-6.

All pictures by Mike Boden

Embarrassed by blowing a chance against Wigan to lift the League Leaders’ Shield a week earlier, the players – minus the injured Kurt Gidley, Chris Sandow, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie and Ryan Bailey – were in no mood to let it happen again.

Inflicting upon Hull their widest margin of defeat at home this season earned 14 of Warrington’s 17 on show the first silverware of their top-flight careers.

Their defence was top class and they were fairly clinical in attack too, showing Super League why they ended the 30 rounds with a far superior points difference to all their rivals.

To deliver like that on a night when seven selection or positional changes were made to the starting line-up was testament to the week’s preparation work under head coach Tony Smith – as was the lack of stage fright in an inhospitable atmosphere generated by a 17,000 crowd live on TV when considering a number of Wire’s men had played much of their rugby on Victoria Park that year.

It proved to be an incredible story that Tom Lineham returned to his old stomping ground after being overlooked for the previous nine games and not only scored the opening and winning touchdowns but pulled off two crucial try-saving tackles too.

Similarly Kevin Penny’s return on the other flank paid off too, as his kick returns were strong to help get the team on the front foot. He was sound defensively and he bagged the other try.

The team’s performance was not faultless, as some of their handling errors and penalties conceded dangerously let Hull off the hook but the passion and desire to counteract any mistakes highlighted the spirit, character and willingness to work for each other in the common goal.

When Hull cut the 10-0 half-time deficit to four points early in the second half there were fears of the outcome being a repeat of the previous month’s Challenge Cup Final but Dec Patton, whose penalty kicks edged Wolves to a 16-6 cushion, and Stefan Ratchford managed the situation commendably.

What the win meant to the team was seen in the crazy celebrations to Lineham’s decisive try late on and the supporters had a party as they lapped up the Shield presentation at the end.

It was Wolves' first silverware since the Challenge Cup success over Leeds Rhinos in 2012.