Wolves win for Westwood

WARRINGTON Wolves rewarded their 70 volunteers who cleared the pitch of snow with a convincing 20-0 win over Wigan in the Bennie Westwood Bet Fred Challenge.
A crowd of more than 4,000 turned up for Westwood’s testimonial game as Joel Monaghan, Rhys Evans, Brett Hodgson and Chris Riley scored the tries on a mud and snow-affected pitch at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Head of Coaching Tony Smith was delighted with the final pre-season victory and believes his side look “very sharp” ahead of the new season.
Only Trent Waterhouse, who picked up a dead leg in training and Chris Bridge, who is nearing full fitness, were unavailable for selection and Smith believes the warm weather training in Tenerife has helped get his squad in good shape for the new season.
“We didn’t make many mistakes and we are looking very sharp,” said Smith after a convincing victory over last year’s league leaders.
Wigan struggled from the kick off and were soon 6-0 down when a hanging kick from Lee Briers gave Joel Monaghan the chance to jump above Dominic Manfredi and touch down.
Warrington dominated as Evans was held up over the line and Adrian Morley and Hodgson had tries chalked off for forward passes.
Just before the break Michael Monaghan, Hodgson and Briers produced a flowing move to send Evans sliding over in the corner.
With Wigan missing the attacking threat of Sam Tomkins, Pat Richards, Sean O’Loughlin and Harrison Hansen, Warrington continued to press after the interval and they had another try denied for a forward pass when Chris Riley scampered over.
Warrington eventually extended their lead when Hodgson made the most of a perfect grubber kick from Richie Myler, picking the ball up off his bootlaces to score after it came back off the post.
The Wolves wrapped up the scoring a minute from time when Riley made up for his earlier disappointment with the game’s fourth and final try.
Man of the match Westwood was given the honour of attempting the final coversion from wide out but just missed.