Warrington Wolves20

Wigan Warriors50

WARRINGTON Wolves' record against 'top five' clubs continued its poor fashion on Sunday.

Of the 12 games the Wolves have played this year against the league's play-off hopefuls they have only picked up six points.

It looked as though an upset might be on the cards against Wigan on Sunday when Warrington took a 16-14 lead early in the second half but, as on many previous occasions this year, the Wolves faded and the Warriors ran rampant to move to the top of the Super League table.

Afterwards it was pointed out by Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde that his players were burnt out from the amount of tackling they did in the first half and paid the price.

But Wigan's ascendancy in the game could also be tied in to Warrington's injuries. Frank Endacott's men only led 26-16 when Danny Nutley, Danny Farrar and Toa Kohe-Love left the field.

Two of the team's hardest workers, the two Dannys, plus Kohe-Love, Warrington's most dangerous back, were sorely missed as Wigan piled on 24 points in the final 19 minutes to inflict on Warrington their highest home defeat of the year.

The scoreline did not reflect the efforts of some of Warrington's players, in particular the outstanding Allan Langer, Andrew Gee, Nutley, Farrar and Paul Noone - one of two players to have made 30 tackles or more in the first half alone.

But there was insufficient support around them to keep up the upset hopes for the full 80 minutes. This remains unacceptable for Wolves fans but Van de Velde will have some severe axing to do to turn the Wolves into Grand Final challengers in 2001.

At times in the second half red-hot Wigan's champagne football was leagues above Warrington with Great Britain and England skipper Andy Farrell and hooker Terry Newton excelling.

The Wolves went into the game without the services of injured full back Lee Penny. Van de Velde elected to switch Alan Hunte to full back and play Ian Knott in the centre. He handed Mike Peters another chance to prove himself on the right wing.

It was a blow for Warrington to lose Knott within a minute after being knocked out. Will Cowell came on to the wing and Peters moved into the centre.

When Wigan scored on their first break it completed the worst possible start for the Wolves. Langer's ex-Broncos team-mate Steve Renouf broke down the left flank to scatter Warrington's defenders. Then Willie Peters' grubber kick was missed by Kohe-Love for Newton to touch down. Farrell goaled.

Warrington were finding it difficult to pick out any holes in a Wigan defence that was constantly allowed to cruise off side.

Wigan began to turn the screw and forced the Wolves to drop out for four successive sets of six. After all the hard defensive graft Newton off-loaded out of a Steve McCurrie tackle and Renouf stopped two covering defenders to cross for a converted try.

Three minutes later Warrington offered hope after a strong run by Kohe-Love and handling right across the park. Langer's trickling grubber to himself, sending the Wigan defence the wrong way, was pin-point accurate for the No.7 to pounce for four points which Briers converted to six.

Wolves' winger Mark Forster shouted at a touch judge about Wigan's off sides and was penalised well within Farrell's kicking range and he made it 14-6.

A tremendous tackle by Langer, Forster and Cowell saw Newton knock on as he dived over the try line and Warrington's response was first class as they swept down field.

Langer's little bouncing kick was perfect for Briers to touch down and it left the Wolves 14-10 behind at the break.

Three minutes into the second period the Wolves tried to keep the ball alive. Forster kicked Farrar's loose pass and knocked on the ball again with Langer winning the race to the touch down. Briers' goal put the Wolves ahead for the first time at 16-14 and the Wilderspool faithful were jubilant.

Wigan regained the lead when Farrell strolled past Langer after he had been expected to pass.

As Wolves' injured players were replaced, which signalled the debut of Academy full back David Alstead, Wigan set about gaining their crucial win.

Farrell's inside pass for the angled runner in Renouf brought the centre his second try, goaled by Farrell.

Loose forward Chris Chester had a score ruled out for obstruction but two minutes later Gary Conolly raced home 65m after picking up a long and speculative Langer pass. At 32-16 the game was in the bag for Wigan.

In the final 11 minutes Newton crossed twice to complete his hat-trick and Kris Radlinski also got his name on the scoresheet after superb link work with Newton and Jason Robinson.

Langer had the final word by putting Hunte over from 30m with a superb short pass for Warrington's only try not scored off a kick.