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Warrington Wolves ... 24 |
vs |
Hull Sharks ... 10 |
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Warrington Wolves ... 24 |
vs |
Hull Sharks ... 10 |
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Attendance: 3,301
Referee: Steve Nicholson (Whitehaven)
Half Time: 18 - 0
Penalty Count: 7 - 4
Wolves |
Sharks |
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1. Lee Penny 19. Jason Roach 24. Vince Fawcett 3. Micahel Eager 2. Mark Forster 7. Lee Briers 9. Danny Farrar (C) 10. Gary Chambers 25. Dave Highton 15. Danny Nutley 22. Brendon Tuuta 12. Steve McCurrie 23. Mike Wainwright Subs: 11. Ian Knott 21. Chris Causey 27. Mike Pechey 28. Will Cowell (Not Used) Tries: Forster (9 mins) Fawcett (19 mins) Tuuta (23 mins) Penny (30 mins) Goals: Briers 3 Drop Goals: Briers 2 |
1. Steve Prescott 15. Fili Seru 4. Graeme Hallas 23. Logan Campbell 2. David Baildon 6. Gary Lester 28. Craig Murcock 17. Hitro Okesene 3. Rob Nolan 20. Jason Temu 11. Simon Booth 8. Steve Craven 13. Brad Hepi Subs: 25. Andy Ireland 18. Lee Radford 22. Jamie Smith 16. Jim Leatham Tries: Murdock (55 mins) Baildon (78 mins( Goals: Prescott 1 |
The Wolves were low, no doubt about it, being without a win in five games and having a skeleton squad to choose from wasn't helping the situation either. Earlier in the season they'd pulled a great win over the Sharks, with the now sidelined Jon Roper bursting over to score the winning try with only seconds left on the clock. That was a hell of a gmae, what would this one turn out to be like? The Sharks were doing well, but like the Wolves away fixture victories seem to elude them.
Either way neither team were going to roll over and die, this was going to be a war of attrition.
As the PA announced the teams there were looks of wonder as Captain Danny Farrar was named as scrum half and Lee Briers switched to stand-off, Highton taking the hooking role. It looked like the unlikely pair were going to hit it straight off with Farrar looking very much at ease in his new role.
The Wolves started with a look not seen much this season. The a good led up the posts when Lee Briers took control and ghosted across the line, leaving sprwaling bodies in his wak to pop up a short ball to the ever eager Forster. The winger made no mistake and gave the crowd and the team an early lift it so desperately needed (4 - 0).
The combination again seemed to pay off as an old head and a good set of hands saw Farrar link up with Tuuta to send Fawcett bustling in at the opposite corner. Two tries in ten minutes and solid looking attack, combined with a commited defence to hold the Wolves strong (8 - 0).
Things were just going from good to better for the first time in a while. The Sharks couldn't seem to break the line and cross over, not matter how hard they tried, commitment from both sides was evident but the Wolves were coming up with the plays.
Roach was nearly in to add another to the tally but was well tackled by the Sharks, a quick play the ball saw Tuuta dive low and ground the ball to snatch another four points. Briers wasn't having a good day with his kicking duties, missing his third attempt (12 - 0).
The half was sealed by another attempt at the McCurrie/Penny move. McCurrie got the ball out wide and used his pace and strength to create a neat overlap for the on-coming Penny to scythe through for a deserved touchdown on the half hour mark. Briers finally found his mark and added the extra two (18 - 0).
The Sun shone as the half fizzled out to the cheers from the Wolves fans and discord from the Sharks.
For the first time this season the Wolves went in at half time having nilled the opposition, surely an omen for things to come.
The second half saw the Sharks come out with a new attitude, new boy Murdock leading from the front as he seemingly walked through the defence to cross for a try under the posts after Hallas has split some woeful looking defence. Prescott converted to give to Sharks a foothold, but still needing two converted tries to equal things up.
Defence seemed to be the named of the game in the second period as both teams were determined not to let the other score. With this stalemate attitude the Wolves were having problems hitting the danger zone and converting effort into points. Briers had other ideas as he slotted over a drop goal to take the lead out further, the Sharks chances of a fightback were looking ever more dim. (19 - 6).
Now that Briers had found his kicking boots he added a penalty to well and truly end all hopes from the visitors (21 - 6).
With time running out the tired looking Wolves defence conceeded a final try to Baildon, Prescott missing the kick from the corner.
The final hooter sounded and the homeside let out a sigh of relief, a game won soley on its merits and two points and winning pay finally in the bag.
Next week sees the Centenary celebrations begin at Wilderspool, culminating in a match against bottom club Huddersfield. Can the start of the next hundred years bring better luck to its side and support? If the same commitement and hunger are there then the answer is undoubtedly a 'YES'.