COMPETITION sponsors Betfred had Warrington Wolves at odds of 1/20 to win this game – an indication of the gulf in quality between the two sides.

While they may have been without a couple of players themselves, their unavailability issues paled into insignificance compared to Wakefield, who had injuries, Covid-enforced isolations and some David Fifita nonsense to deal with in the build-up.

The fact they sent out a team at all is admirable, but The Wire still had to do the necessary.

They did just that, with more signs of clicking into gear showing themselves.

With the greatest of respect to Wakefield, who showed themselves to be incredibly game in the circumstances, Wire fans would have been expecting their team to put on a show.

While some tidier execution would have yielded even more than the 36 they ended up with, but six tries and zero points conceded will please most.

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Hill and the two Clarks – Jason and Daryl – muscle up in defence. Picture by Mike Boden

Steve Price had highlighted discipline and ruck control as areas for improvement – only three penalties and one set restart conceded shows a marked step forward in that respect.

All six tries were well worked as the attack took a step forward, with Blake Austin to the fore with his hat-trick.

His partnership with Gareth Widdop is arguably the best in Super League on paper and how it builds will naturally come in for lots of attention.

> Price's challenge to Austin after his and Widdop's 'best game yet'

Warrington Guardian:

Blake Austin scythes through the Wakefield defence for his second try. Picture by Mike Boden

With injury and a global pandemic stunting its development initially, it is now showing signs of coming together nicely and with Widdop the organiser-in-chief, Austin is free to cause havoc with his running game.

His first two tries were reminiscent of the ones we saw so often in his superb first season in England last year – throwing outrageous dummies and leaving defenders trailing in his wake with his pace and power.

If he starts hitting those heights again regularly, The Wire will not go far wrong.

> The Magic Man at his best? Austin's hat-trick in pictures

The bench, too deserves enormous credit for changing the pace of the game in the first half after a scrappy start, with Matt Davis in particular industrious as ever in his first appearance since the restart while Samy Kibula showed promising signs on debut.

Warrington Guardian:

Matt Davis was impressive in his first appearance post-restart. Picture by Mike Boden

Jake Mamo was excellent at right centre, shutting down Wakefield’s only big try-scoring opportunity with a superb tackle on Jacob Miller and carrying the ball enthusiastically.

Anthony Gelling is available again now after suspension, but Mamo is making himself hard to leave out.

Ben Currie showed he still has the electrifying pace that marks him out as a dynamic and classy second rower with his length-of-the-field effort while Toby King’s first try of the season is fitting reward for his excellent campaign thus far.

Bigger tests will lie ahead and for them, Wolves will need to be better again. However, things continue to head in the right direction.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wire’s first game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium for 177 days

. Warrington have now won their past seven home matches against Wakefield – a run stretching back to 2014

. Fifth Super League victory in a row for Steve Price’s side

. Toby King scores first try of the season

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round 10

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Warrington Wolves...36 Wakefield Trinity...0

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Jake Mamo, Toby King, Tom Lineham; Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Jason Clark. Subs: Joe Philbin, Samy Kibula, Matt Davis, Matty Ashton

Trinity: Max Jowitt; Jack Croft, Tony Gigot, Bill Tupou, Innes Senior; Jacob Miller, Ryan Hampshire; Romain Navarette, Kyle Wood, Tinirau Arona, James Batchelor, Matty Ashurst, Joe Westerman. Subs: Danny Kirmond, Jordan Crowther, Chris Green, Kelepi Tanginoa

Scoring: King try, 18mins, Ratchford goal, 6-0; Austin try, 26mins, Ratchford goal, 12-0; Charnley try, 32mins, Ratchford goal, 18-0; Austin try, 47mins, Ratchford goal, 24-0; Currie try, 71mins, Ratchford goal, 30-0; Austin try, 76mins, Ratchford goal, 36-0

Penalties: Wolves 7 Trinity 3

Referee: Marcus Griffiths

Top Man: VOTE HERE