Warrington Beat Wakefield To Extend Winning Start

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Warrington Wolves (14) 27


Tries: Sipley, Hopoate, Smith, King Goals: Sneyd 5 Drop objective: Sneyd


Wakefield Trinity (2) 16


Tries: Jowitt, Myers, Pratt Goals: Jowitt 2


Warrington made it through a strong Wakefield fightback in the second half to make it 2 wins from 2 in Super League.


The Wolves, who were coming off the back of a blank weekend since of Hull Kingston Rovers' involvement worldwide Club Challenge, appeared to have taken a company grip on the game in the first half.


Tries from Toafofoa Sipley and Albert Hopoate, in addition to the dependable kicking of Marc Sneyd, had them 14-2 up at the break.


Trinity, who chalked up their first win of the season at Huddersfield last week, came back well as Jake Trueman remarkably created pursues Max Jowitt and Jayden Myers.


Wire replied as Australian newcomer Josh Smith crossed for his first shot but Oliver Pratt's rating for Trinity established a nervy ending, with the result settled by Sneyd's drop goal and Toby King's late shot.


Wire gave further evidence that they might make a fist of challenging for honours this season as Sneyd provided a kicking masterclass and they had the defensive durability to hold firm as Trinity came good.


Wakefield had won the previous 3 conferences of these 2, however they were soon in problem as Sneyd slotted over a penalty and after that video referee Chris Kendall overturned an on-field decision of "no try" to offer Sipley four points.


A couple of minutes later, Hopoate supported Danny Walker's break to streak away for another shot for 14-0.


Wire seemed to have actually made a costly mistake as they reacted to strong Wakefield pressure right at the end of the half by devoting repeat offences which saw Sipley sin-binned and Jowitt kick the resulting penalty to provide his side a toe-hold.


That became a firmer platform early in the 2nd half as Trinity made use of the extra guy, Trueman slinging a great pass over the top for Jowitt to score in the corner.


Sipley's first act upon returning to the field was a ruck violation which led to Trueman creating an even much better looping cut-out pass and Myers ended up to cut the cause just 4 points.


That stimulated Wire into action after a drop in pace and Sneyd's boot took control as he chipped the ball out to Smith, rugby for the first time, to score his very first try, which Sneyd converted and after that included a charge to give his side breathing room.


Pratt then got on the end of a great kick by Jack Sinfield to score in the corner and when Jowitt remarkably nailed the tough conversion, the video game was back in the balance.


Wakefield seemed particular to score as Myers spotted for the corner however 20-year-old full-back Cai Taylor-Wray, who wowed the crowd with his attacking prowess against St Helens, produced a stunning take on to bundle him into touch and retain the lead.


Sneyd dropped an objective and then cracked another delicate kick to the corner for Smith to grab and pass in mid-air for King to get rid of any doubt.


Six-try St Helens thrash Catalans in Perpignan


'A truly premium game'


"It was a truly high-quality video game. Both sides were at 90-something percent completion.


"They were physical and we needed to ride out the very first half but the game lost its way a bit in the 2nd half - [it was] not down to the players, it just got a bit stop-start.


"In the first half we could have attacked a little better. There are locations we can take a look at where we can challenge a bit more and ask a few more questions.


"The way the video game is going, it will take teams eight to 10 weeks to figure it out, and it's the very same with us. Our patience was proficient at times and we were 100% in the first half up until the regrettable sin-binning."


Warrington Wolves: Taylor-Wray; Thewlis, King, Hopoate, Smith; Williams, Sneyd; Yates, Walker, Byrne, Stone, Harrison, Currie.


Replacements: Sipley, Crowther, Philbin, Tanginoa.


Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt; Pratt, Scott, Hall, Myers; Sinfield, Trueman; McMeeken, Smoothy, Hamlin-Uele, Nikotemo, Vagana, Tevaga.


Replacements: Storton, Pitts, Faatili, Smith.


Referee: Liam Rush