BEN Westwood became the 10th player to rack up 400 games for Warrington Wolves when he helped to hammer Catalans Dragons in the Middle 8s on Saturday.
‘Super Bennie’ follows in the footsteps of Lee Briers (1997-2013), Mark Forster (1983-2000), Parry Gordon (1963-1981), Brian Bevan (1945-1962), Gerry Helme (1945-1957), Jack Miller (1926-1946), Billy Cunliffe (1914-1930), Jim Tranter (1911-1928) and Alf Boardman (1898-1914).
After Saturday’s victory, Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby said of the 36-year-old: “I’ve got to mention Super Bennie Westwood, not just because it’s his 400th game which is a massive achievement by any person in this day and age in a sport like ours, but he was instrumental in our first half.
“He showed his real class, he’s got good rugby league awareness as well as being tough and uncompromising.”
Westwood’s Wire timeline:
June 13, 2002: Normanton Knights product Westwood signs as a 20-year-old on a two-and-a-half years contract from Wakefield Trinity for a Wolves record Super League transfer fee of £60,000.
June 18, 2002: Substitute for Yorkshire against Lancashire in the second game of the expanded County of Origin series.
June 22, 2002: Debut day for Wolves, scoring two tries at centre against London Broncos in an ‘on the road’ game played at the Albert Domec Stadium in Carcassonne, France.
June 29, 2002: Not a home debut to remember as Westwood features at centre in a 41-16 loss to Wigan.
July 29, 2002: Scores his first tries in a home game for Warrington in a 42-14 loss to Hull FC at Wilderspool. He crosses twice from left centre.
September 21, 2003: Touches down twice in front of a sell-out crowd against his former club Wakefield in Wolves’ emotional last league game at Wilderspool Stadium, a 52-12 win for The Wire.
February 21, 2004: Features at left centre in first match at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
June 24, 2004: Registers his first hat-trick in primrose and blue, the tries coming in a 32-10 win at Castleford.
October 24,2004: Makes a try-scoring debut for England – the country’s second-tier international team behind Great Britain – in the centres in a 98-4 victory over Russia in the European Nations Championship at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. He crosses twice.
November 7, 2004: Wins his first medal as a Warrington player representing England in the centre in a 36-12 defeat of Ireland in the European Nations Championship Final at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
February 13, 2005: Makes an impact off the bench at prop for the first time in season-opening loss to London Broncos at Griffin Park. He scores a try.
May 12, 2006: Pulls on the shirt for 100th time at loose-forward in 34-22 defeat at St Helens.
March 18, 2007: Kicks his first goal in Wire colours in 30-12 home success against Hull KR.
September 15, 2008: Debut appearance in the Super League Dream Team, being named in the second row. Further selections follow in 2010, 2011 and 2012
October 10, 2008: Wins his first senior England cap in 74-0 defeat of Wales in Gillette Fusion International at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.
August 29, 2009: Achieves first winners’ medal for The Wire at loose-forward in Challenge Cup Final defeat of Huddersfield Giants at Wembley. Also a member of Wolves’ winning Wembley sides of 2010 and 2012.
September 5, 2009: Makes his 200th appearance in 40-16 loss at Hull KR.
September 16, 2011: Celebrates winning League Leaders’ Shield with Wolves for the first time.
October 6, 2012: Lines up in second row for Wolves’ inaugural Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, a 26-18 loss to Leeds Rhinos.
January 26, 2013: Helps achieve a 20-0 win in his Testimonial game against Wigan Warriors at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
June 2, 2013: Crosses for 100th club try among a hat-trick in 68-10 home win against Salford.
June 8, 2013: Touches down in 300th showing as The Wire record club record away win, 82-10 against London Broncos at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium.
January 27, 2014: Takes up captaincy role jointly with Michael Monaghan following departure of Adrian Morley.
February 20, 2015: Leads the charge from loose-forward in his first World Club Series game, an 18-12 home loss to St George Illawarra Dragons.
August 12, 2017: Becomes only the second Wolves player to complete 400 club appearances entirely in the Super League era.
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