WE continue the total recall of Warrington Wolves’ greatest league campaign of the Super League era, finishing top of the table in record-breaking style in 2011, with a memorable victory on the road…

Engage Super League, Round Three, Friday, February 25, 2011

St Helens…18 Warrington Wolves…25

THE Samaritans have probably been busy in St Helens this week all thanks to a wonderful Warrington Wolves performance.

Reassurance has been needed that the world is not about to end as a result of Wolves finally burying their 17-year run without a win away from home against Saints.

However, as the red and whites wipe away the tears they might have woken to the fact that a bright new world may just be dawning - a sparkling primrose and blue one, with a booming Wolves confirming their Super League title aspirations in Friday’s majestic display of power and punch.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

No opposition fans are laughing at Warrington being also-rans any more.

Of course, it is only one win, a similar two points to those taken off Hull KR a week earlier.

But it was the manner of the victory that instils such optimism for the rest of the year ahead.

Even without the services of experienced stars Chris Bridge, Matt King and Jon Clarke, Wolves dominated every facet of the game as they built up a 24-0 lead.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

They were sharper in the mind, heavier in the tackle and far more dangerous in attack than the beaten 2010 Grand Finalists. Not many teams can even dream of achieving that.

Wolves had heroes in every position, while Garreth Carvell and Richie Myler were close to producing their best form yet in a Warrington shirt.

Adrian Morley, before missing the second half concussed, Paul Wood, Ben Harrison on his 100th appearance, Ben Westwood, Michael Monaghan, Mickey Higham and Matty Blythe all got through a ton of work to suppress Saints.

Lee Briers, just like his half-back partner Myler, was as lethal in defence as he was in attack, and the three tries between them in the first half put Wolves on their way.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Does it matter that Saints scored three tries in the last 13 minutes to flatter themselves in the scoreline? Not a jot – all that mattered on Friday was a win.

Wolves’ 2,700 fans were left bouncing in the stands and they probably bounced all the way home, too.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

INTERESTING NOTES

Warrington's first win against St Helens since 2001.

Warrington's first away win against St Helens since 1994.

It was Ben Harrison's 100th game for Warrington Wolves.

It was also Mickey Higham's 50th game for Warrington Wolves.

Wolves have not lost a game at Stobart Stadium since 2004.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

TEAMS:

Saints: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Michael Shenton (1t), Jonny Lomax (1g), Francis Meli; Lee Gaskell (1t), Kyle Eastmond; James Graham, James Roby, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Chris Flannery (1t), Sia Soliola, Jon Wilkin. Subs: Tony Puletua, Scott Moore, Paul Clough, Jamie Foster (2g).

Wolves: Brett Hodgson (4g); Joel Monaghan, Matty Blythe, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers (2t, 1dg), Richie Myler (1t); Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson (1t), Ben Westwood, David Solomona. Subs: Ben Harrison, Mickey Higham, Paul Wood, Rhys Evans.

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 10,514

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden