Warrington Wolves IMBRL 74
Bradford Replacements 10
@ Hood Lane, Crosfields - 30/07/06 - Friendly

Warrington IMBRL returned to form in the most sensational of fashions against their Yorkshire opponents as a 13 try romp saw the club register its biggest ever victory in its three year history.

Having been disappointed by last weekends poor show against Wigan, the Wolves were in no mood to lose two on the bounce and it showed from the word go.

Warrington had been expecting a very tough contest against the Bulls who a fortnight earlier had gone down by just four points, 26-22 at Wigan. The Wolves meanwhile had lost in a much more comprehensive fashion to the Warriors last time out.

In IMBRL games the form guide very rarely counts for much as was evident from start to finish in this match.

A week on from the Wigan defeat the Wolves were delighted to welcome back prop John Williams and Stephen Lenihan in the centre, who was fresh from his European Nations exploits with Ireland. Meanwhile two new forwards made their debuts from the bench in the shape of Steve Rutter and former Bank Quay Bull Tom Wright.

The starting line-up also had a different look with Karl Case forming a new half-back pairing with Andy Hawley, Tom Mahoney coming in on the wing, Nat Ashurst and Mark Moore forming a new back row and Johnny Knight slotting in at loose forward.

After a week of soul searching in the IMBRL camp it was decided that the side should go back to basics and for 60 minutes the game plan remained in place until the last quarter saw some devastating tries scored as the Wolves put some of their training moves into play.

From the moment the game began the Wolves looked eager and bright and punished the big Bradford side with some sensational defence. A quick fire brace by Neil Ashurst started the ball rolling and from then on in the tries flowed at regular intervals.

Indeed by the time half-time had arrived the Wolves had already built up a 40-6 lead and they kept their foot well and truly on the acceleration pedal in the second half to romp home.

On a glorious day for the Wolves Case and Gareth Edwards also scored try braces, whilst Liam O’Brien, Mahoney, Matt Lawton, Kyle Holcroft, Knight, Rutter and Hawley also scored four pointers.

It was a landmark day for Hawley too who also landed 11 goals from his 14 attempts to register a personal haul of 26 points, a new club record. It was a fitting response from the boot, which has been a problem area for the club in the past.

On another hot summer day the IMBRL boys were best served by Hawley, Stephen Lenihan and Holcroft whilst Nat Ashurst topped the tackle count and Keith Ryan led by example up front.

Wolves
(1) Liam O’Brien (11T, 6HU, 1 try)
(2) Tom Mahoney (4T, 5HU, 1 try)
(3) Gareth Edwards (4T, 4HU, 2 tries)
(4) Stephen Lenihan (16T, 11HU)
(5) Matt Lawton (11T, 6HU, 1 try)
(6) Andy Hawley (14T, 2HU, 1 try, 11 goals)
(7) Karl Case (11T, 5HU, 2 tries)
(8) Neil Ashurst (16T, 3HU, 2 tries)
(9) Kyle Holcroft (7T, 10HU, 1 try)
(10) John Williams (5T, 8HU)
(11) Nat Ashurst (21T, 11HU)
(12) Mark Moore (15T, 8HU)
(13) Johnny Knight (12T, 6HU, 1 try)
Subs:
(14) Danny Elliott (9T, 4HU)
(15) Keith Ryan (8T, 11HU)
(16) Paul Arnison (8T, 4HU)
(17) Rick Lenihan (5HU)
(18) Steve Rutter (6T, 6HU, 1 try)
(19) Tom Wright (8T, 6HU)

* Stats by Matt Lister