WARRINGTON Wolves did what they had to do on Friday – win.

They already looked odds-against to catch the red and white juggernaut that is St Helens at the top of Super League, but another defeat would have made those chances even more remote.

This was far from a perfect performance from The Wire, but they did what they had to do.

Warrington Guardian:

After falling behind inside the first minute, it had many fans worrying of another poor showing like the one at Hull KR the previous week.

They were caught cold and they had to weather the storm in the early stages as Wakefield’s powerful pack dominated.

Just looking at Chris Chester’s team selection – with David Fifita and Pauli Pauli in the back row and the bigger Jordan Crowther at hooker as opposed to the more mobile Kyle Wood – was an indication they were going to try and outgun Warrington early.

> Tries and action as Wire get back on track

For the first 20 minutes at least, they were doing just that as holes were regularly punched in the Wire defence.

However, one always got the sense that if the hosts could stay in the grind and see off the early onslaught, things could open up for them.

By the time the first half ended, they were just showing signs of getting into their stride with ball in hand.

Warrington Guardian:

There were still a few hairy moments defensively and they had to scramble a bit more than they would have liked, but they managed to ensure Ryan Hampshire’s early score was as good as it got for Trinity.

Despite a non-event of a second half punctuated by handling errors on both sides, The Wire still managed to score two quality tries to round off a game they never really looked like losing.

A few individuals stood out – Daryl Clark did as he does, Ben Murdoch-Masila produced the kind of rampaging, barnstorming stint he was brought in for and Jake Mamo looked sharp and threatening from full-back.

Warrington Guardian:

What will please Steve Price the most though is the improvement in discipline.

> Improvement in attack and discipline pleases Price

They gave away only three penalties in this game. For context, they gave away six in the first 15 minutes at Hull KR.

The challenge now is to do that consistently and there would be no better time for that than a clash with Saints.

> Here's why Wolfie was on a plane heading for St Helens

Will they beat Justin Holbrook’s men with a performance similar to this one? In all honesty, probably not.

Was it a step in the right direction in terms of finding that formula? In some areas, most definitely.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wire’s fifth consecutive home win over Wakefield

. Josh Charnley makes his 200th Super League appearance

. Jack Johnson scores his first try of the season

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round 19

Friday, June 21, 2019

Warrington Wolves...30 Wakefield Trinity...6

Wolves: Jake Mamo; Josh Charnley, Toby King, Bryson Goodwin, Jack Johnson; Blake Austin, Declan Patton; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Joe Philbin. Subs: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jason Clark, Sitaleki Akauola, Matt Davis

Trinity: Ryan Hampshire; Ben Jones-Bishop, Reece Lyne, Jack Croft, Mason Caton-Brown; Jacob Miller, Danny Brough; Anthony England, Jordan Crowther, Kelepi Tanginoa, Pauli Pauli, David Fifita, George King. Subs: Titus Gwaze, Craig Kopczak, Keegan Hirst, Kyle Wood

Scoring: Hampshire try, 1min, Brough goal, 0-6; Currie try, 19mins, Patton goal, 6-6; Charnley try, 27mins, 10-6; Cooper try, 35mins, Patton goal, 16-6; Austin try, 43mins, Patton goal, 22-6; Patton penalty, 65mins, 24-6; Johnson try, 80mins, Patton goal, 30-6

Penalties: Wolves 6 Trinity 3

Referee: Liam Moore

Attendance: 8,635

Top Man: VOTE HERE