JUST like Wembley in 2009 and 2010, Warrington Wolves have delivered another ‘I was there’ moment and returned with a trophy that fans have waited decades to see draped in primrose and blue.

The League Leaders’ Shield may not be the trophy that everyone talks about at the start of a new season, but being one of only three pieces of silverware up for grabs automatically increases its importance.

And if a team finishes a long and tough season at the top of the league, holding the best defensive and offensive records for the competition, they have every right to consider themselves champions.

But victory did not come on the back of a classic Wolves performance at the KC Stadium on Friday, as Smith’s men faltered in the face of a bright start from the hosts.

Thankfully, the outstanding Ryan Atkins picked a good time to deliver one of his best performances of the year, single-handedly opening the scoring thanks to grittily stealing the ball from Joe Westerman, and inspiring his side to a first-half lead they would never relinquish.

After turning the screw on the hosts in the first half thanks to tries from Chris Bridge, Chris Riley and Michael Monaghan, it was a much more conservative Wolves team that stepped on to the pitch after the break.

Fewer risks were taken, more tackles ridden, and despite Hull trying their best to give themselves a lifeline in the second half, Wolves trusted their outstanding defence and never looked in danger.

It was a performance that Smith has called for previously after watching his side throw away leads due to ‘overplaying’, and the fact they were able to deliver under pressure will hearten the boss ahead of sterner challenges to come.

But despite delivering their first league-topping finish since 1973, this is no time for Wolves to pat themselves on the back.

They have proved themselves to be the most consistent over the course of the season, but as Smith admitted after Friday’s win, they must now prove that they can handle the pressure of the play-offs.

INTERESTING NOTES

Warrington Wolves set a new club record for most points scored in a single Super League season with 1,072.

They also broke the overall club record for points scored in a single season, 1,288 including Challenge Cup fixtures.

This season saw Wolves deliver the best defensive performance in a single Super League season, conceding just 401 points.

Wolves also set a record of most wins in a Super League season with 22.

Joel Monaghan ended the regular season as Wolves' top Super League try scorer with 23. That figure makes the fourth most prolific scorer in Super League this season behind Sam Tomkins, Ryan Hall and Kris Welham.

Brett Hodgson ended the Super League season as top goal kicker with 121, helping him to become the top points scorer in Super League with a total of 310.

Engage Super League round 27, Friday, September 9, 2011

Hull FC 12 Warrington Wolves 34

Wolves:

Brett Hodgson; Joel Monaghan (1t), Matt King, Ryan Atkins (1t), Chris Riley (2t); Lee Briers (1g), Richie Myler; Mike Cooper, Michael Monaghan (1t), Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson, Simon Grix, Chris Bridge (1t, 4g). Subs: Jon Clarke, Ben Harrison, David Solomona, Matty Blythe.

Hull:

Cameron Phelps; Richard Whiting, Jordan Turner, Kirk Yeaman, Tom Briscoe; Richard Horne, Sam Obst; Mark O’Meley, Danny Houghton, Sam Moa, Willie Manu, Joe Westerman (2t, 2g), Danny Washbrook. Subs: Lee Radford, Epalahame Lauaki, Ewan Dowes, Will Sharp.

Referee:

Steve Ganson

Scoring:

Atkins steals the ball from Westerman and races 40m to open the scoring, 6mins, Bridge tags on the extras from in front of the posts, 0-6; Westerman explodes on to a short ball from Horne and touches down between the sticks, 10mins, Westerman converts, 6-6; Riley dives in at the corner after a Michael Monaghan long pass and Atkins flick on, 19mins, 6-10; Michael Monaghan takes on the line from close range and sidesteps through a gap to score, 25mins, Bridge adds the extras, 6-16; Atkins produces a fine run down the line before finding Riley in support and sending him over for a second try, 30mins, Bridge converts, 6-22; King stops a kick to retrieve possession and Hodgson splits the Hull defence before sending Bridge on a 50m sprint to the line, 38mins; Briers adds the goal, 6-28; Westerman bursts on to a Horne short ball to cross, 62mins, Westerman converts, 12-28; Bridge wins possession and Atkins offloads for Briers to produce a reverse pass for Joel Monaghan to sidestep his way to the line, 69mins, Bridge goals, 12-34.

Pens:

Hull 5 Wolves 4

Attendance:

16,121