Warrington 58-0 Harlequins
Chris Riley led a Warrington masterclass as Tony Smith’s side eased their way to a 58-0 victory over a disasterous Harlequins outfit.
The winger scored an 11-minute hat-trick as he ran in five tries for the Wolves in a dominant display.
Warrington captain Adrian Morley was included in Smith’s starting XIII, despite being at his wife’s side at six o’clock this morning when she gave birth to a baby girl.
And his day was made even better as his side were ruthless in attack and solid in defence.
Quins coach Brian McDermott knew exactly what he was in for as early as the eighth minute, with the scoreboard telling them that they were 12-0 down.
Richie Myler set up Gareth Carvell to open the scoring before Ritchie Mathers found a gap four minutes later and doubled the home side’s advantage.
With 13 minutes on the clock, Harlequins did cross the whitewash as Chis Melling went over but a Tony Clubb handling error in the build up meant it was ruled out.
The London club were further hampered on the 20 minute mark. Arguablly their most important player this season, Chad Randall, took it upon himself to slow down a Warrington 20 metre re-start by flapping at the ball.
The referee was left no option but to sin bin the hooker.
During Randall’s absence Warrington ran in another try when Michael Monaghan caught the Quins defence napping.
Taking a quick penalty tap, he strolled over the try-line from ten yards. Lee Briers converted for the third time taking the scoreline to 18-0.
A converted Chris Bridge try extended the Wire lead before Riley began his master class.
On the stroke of half-time, the winger crossed for his first try of the afternoon and closed the first half at 28-0.
Eight minutes into the second period, Riley went over in the corner after being set up by Wire stalwart Ben Westwood.
And he completed his quickfire hat-trick just two minutes later. A destructive Warrington attack saw him going over in the same right hand corner.
There were question marks over whether or not Bridge’s pass to Myler in the build up was forward but this didn’t bother the Warrington faithful, their side was on fire.
It would be hard not to sympathise with Harlequins who were missing seven of their regular first team stars but the fact that they have only one one of their last 14 competitive games tells its own story.
Riley crossed again after a smart move involving Mickey Higham and Chris Bridge before debutant Myler opened his account for the Wolves, set up by skipper Morley.
Riley’s fifth was put on a plate for him and a lot of the credit will go to Lee Briers.
The scrum half who kicked well all afternoon placed a fantastic up-and-under into the arms of Riley who went over for his fifth try of the match.
Ironically Briers missed his conversion attempt and the score remained 52-0.
Lesley Vainikolo is the only Super League player to score six in one game, something which was most likely on the mind of the Wolves winger.
Try as he may have though, he couldn’t find his record leveller and it was up to Simon Grix to conclude the scoring as Warrington wrapped up what was a very comfortable victory.
The Cheshire outfit struggled with inconsistancy in 2009 as they missed out on the play-offs and complacency must be avoided if they are to progress this year.
The home fans were asking if rivals Wigan were watching on the close of play. The Warriors are next up at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in a fortnight’s time and if the Wolves repeat this performance, it should make for a very interesting game.
Warrington: Mathers, Riley, Bridge, Atkins, King, Briers, Myler, Morley, Monaghan, Carvell, L. Anderson, Westwood, Harrison.
Replacements: Higham, Wood, Grix, Solomona.
Tries: Carvell, Mathers, Monaghan, Bridge, Riley (5), Myler, Grix
Harlequins RL: O’Callaghan, Melling, Clubb, Howell, Sharp, Orr, Gale, Williams, Randall, Wilkes, Williamson, Esders, Golden.
Replacements: Kaye, James, Bryan, Bolger.
Att: 11,678.
Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).