Briers inspires Wolves to thrash Bulls

LEE Briers was back to his inspirational best as Warrington Wolves turned the form book upside down with a 22-58 thrashing of beleagured Bradford Bulls.
Missing from the dismal Easter defeats against Salford and Castleford, fuelling speculation he no longer features in Head Coach Tony Smith’s future plans, Briers (pictured left) was at the heart of Warrington’s attack as he kicked the Bulls into submission and created numerous openings which led to tries.
It was Warrington’s first away win in nine months and the victory helped erase many painful memories of previous hammerings at Odsal.
Warrington started like a team possessed and were 16 points in front in as many minutes with tries from Louis Anderson and Chris Hicks twice, with Hicks adding two of his three conversion attempts.
A lofted kick from Briers was collected and touched down by Matt King with Hicks again adding the extras to put the Wolves firmly in control at 0-22. Bulls substitute David Solomona briefly stemmed the Wolves’ tide as he powered over with Paul Sykes missing the conversion.
Back came Warrington with the try of the game with a 100 metre effort as Paul Johnson unleashed full-back Chris Riley on an 80 metre kick and chase run to the Bradford line for his first try of the season – and what a try to open his account!
Three minutes later another sweeping move saw Johnson go in at the corner with Hicks adding the extras to make it 4-34.
Just before the break Michael Platt gave the home fans a glimmer of hope with Sykes converting to make it 10-34 at half time.
But Warrington made sure there was no way back for the Bulls at the start of the second half, as a deep kick-off from Briers was flapped at by the defence allowing Mickey Higham to score one of the most bizarre tries of the season. Hicks added the extras to effectively end the game as a contest at 10-40.
Solomona barged over again on 44 minutes to make it 16-40 but then Briers was rewarded for all his hard work with a try which put Warrington firmly back in control.
Hicks completed his hat-trick on the hour which he goaled to make it 16-52 and then five minutes later another Briers kick sent Higham over for his second with Hicks again adding the extras.
The Bulls scored a late consolation from Ben Jeffries as the Wolves eased off the pressure to complete the scoring.
While Hicks collected the man-of-the match award for his tally of 30 points, it was Briers who was at the heart of the Warrington machine which has at last clicked into action.
After the game skipper Adrian Morley said: “This was a very spirited performance and we knew a win like this was just around the corner. This team is packed with quality and hopefully this is the spring boardfor future success.”
For the record it is only the third time in the Super League era that the Bulls have leaked more than 50 points at home.