Warrington lift League Leaders Shield
Warrington have finished top of the Super League and pick up the League Leaders Shield after defeating Hull FC 34-12 at the KC Stadium.
Despite Wigan recording a 42-10 win over Crusaders, Warrington’s victory was enough to see them finish top of the pile after their final game of the league season, a game which was in support of the ‘State of Mind’ charity.
The visitors opened the scoring on 6 minutes after Ryan Atkins showed superb strengh to drive Joe Westerman and Danny Houghton back 10 metres before stripping the ball and racing 40 metres to score under the sticks. Bridge easily adding the extras.
Hull hit back and responded immediately with a well worked try from Westerman. With the Black & Whites attacking the line, Richard Horne popped up a lovely short pass to the 2008 Super League Young Player of the Year, who slid over for the try. Westerman converting his own try to level the scores at 6-6.
The next score came 10 minutes later with Chris Riley going over in the corner after good quick hands from Richard Myler and Ryan Atkins. Bridge failing to add the extras from the touchline.
Warrington scored again after 24 minutes with Michael Monaghan scooting over from dummy half with Chris Bridge converting to put the visitors ahead 16-6.
The Wolves crossed again on the half hour mark after a brilliant hand off by Atkins on Richard Whiting, allowing the big centre to sprint down the wing to pass inside to Richie Myler who touched down under the sticks. Bridge extended the lead to 22-6 with the boot.
With moments remaining of the first half, Brett Hodgson broke through the line and passed inside to Chris Bridge who went half the length of the field to touch down. Briers added the extras to leave the half time score at 28-6 to Warrington.
The hosts crossed first in the second half with Westerman bagging his second try of the match just after the hour mark. The second-rower added the extras although it was always going to be nothing more than a consolation score.
Warrington killed the game of once and for all when Joel Monaghan crossed for a try on 68 minutes. A Richard Horne knocked on allowed the ball to come wide to Atkins and then Briers who passed to Monaghan to touch down. Bridge added the extras to leave the final score at 34-12 to the visitors.
The victory means Warrington will play Huddersfield live on SKY next Friday night with Wigan facing local rivals St Helens.
Phelps, Whiting, Turner, Yeaman, Briscoe, Horne, Obst, O’Meley, Houghton, Moa, Manu, Westerman, Washbrook
Subs: Radford, Lauaki, Dowes, Sharp
Warrington
Hodgson, J Monaghan, King, Atkins, Riley, Briers, Myler, Cooper, M Monaghan, Carvell, Anderson, Grix, Bridge
Subs: Clarke, Harrison, Solomona, Blythe
Att: 16,121
Referee: Steve Ganson
Love Rugby League MOTM: Ryan Atkins