Warrington Wolves 46-12 Crusaders

Sunday 7th March 2010

Wolves climb to second

Gareth Thomas stayed away as his new club failed to stop Warrington surging to second spot in the Engage Super League with a 46-12 win at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Thomas, the former Wales and British Lions skipper, will start training with Crusaders this week and is set to make his debut against Catalans at Wrexham on Friday week.

Thomas, 35, was expected to watch Crusaders in action for the first time but remained in South Wales instead of travelling to Warrington.

But Thomas would have been impressed as Crusaders stormed into an early 12-6 lead.

However Warrington, without first-choice half-backs Lee Briers and Richie Myler, rallied to record their fourth win in five matches this season with another top show from Matt King.

King followed up his outstanding performance at Huddersfield last week by blitzing the Crusaders with two tries as well as setting up another couple, with Ben Westwood also grabbing a brace.

Man-of-the-match King should have scored a hat-trick but spilled Chris Bridge's kick over the line seven minutes from time.

Warrington switched Chris Riley to full-back in the absence of Richie Mathers, with Simon Grix continuing at stand-off for the injured Briers.

Myler, who had scored four tries in his first four matches for the Wolves, was also missing with a foot problem with boss Tony Smith handing Welsh winger Rhys Williams his senior debut as sub and Bridge returning to boot seven goals from eight attempts.

Tony Martin, the close-season signing from Wakefield, was still not fit enough to make his debut for Crusaders, who were also without Tommy Lee.

Crusaders prop Mark Bryant took a return pass from Peter Lupton to notch his first try since arriving from Manly two years ago.

Warrington levelled with Bridge's burst setting up the platform for Ryan Atkins to put winger King over.

But Crusaders, spurred on by a vociferous following, regained the advantage with Lincoln Withers quickest to react to Michael Witt's kick after 16 minutes.

Warrington finally clicked into gear with Simon Grix forcing his way over to make it 12-12.

Two tries in two minutes before the break gave the Wolves a 24-12 lead with King, moved back into his familiar centre role, the inspiration.

King burst onto Bridge's pass to give Warrington the lead for the first time before the Aussie set up Westwood's touchdown.

Westwood powered over soon after the restart to virtually end the Crusaders hopes of a third successive win.

Gareth Raynor squeezed in at the corner for Crusaders but the effort was disallowed for a forward pass.

Michael Monaghan's 40-20 set up the platform for his own try to extend the lead to 34-12.

Crusaders were penalised after a couple of skirmishes before King put Chris Hicks in at the corner with Bridge booting the touchline conversion - and David Solomona also crossed to complete the rout.