Warrington Wolves 16
Wakefield T Wildcats 17
THE Halliwell Jones Stadium fell silent at approximately 4.30pm on Sunday.
Lee Briers was kicking for goal and the outcome would decide whether Wolves would win by the skin of their teeth or suffer another unexpected defeat.
So often Wolves' hero this season, Briers stepped forward and booted goalwards, only for his 35-metre effort to sail agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.
The skipper collapsed to his knees, head in hands, as the final hooter immediately sounded. It was a cruel blow that such a fine player did not deserve.
The 82nd-minute penalty - awarded after Darrell Griffin's high tackle on Paul Wood - had looked to be in a favourable position but the wind had already caused havoc on several occasions and did not abate at the crucial moment.
In truth, a successful kick would have been a lucky escape for Wolves, who failed to convince for a third week running.
Only one side looked like winners on the day and it was the side who had lost their last five away games rather than the one challenging for a top four spot.
Wakefield outmuscled Wolves in the main, with every crucial tackle and ball steal greeted with the sort of enthusiastic back-slapping that demonstrated their determination and togetherness.
Wolves had their moments but, again not relishing the tag of favourites in a game against less fancied opposition, rarely looked in control.
They were without the injured Martin Gleeson, Paul Rauhihi and Rob Parker as well as the dropped Chris Bridge, Michael Sullivan and Mark Hilton - it definitely showed.
Confidence still remains in short supply and the first-half loss of Logan Swann, who had earlier scored his sixth try in five games, with a dislocated shoulder did not help their cause.
Few players impressed although Stuart Reardon, returning at full back after a dead leg, and Mark Gleeson, making his 100th appearance for the club, were notable exceptions.
After trailing 16-8, Gleeson and Richie Barnett scored tries to level the scores but referee Ashley Klein controversially failed to award Wolves two scrums near the Wildcats line in the closing minutes.
Briers then missed a tricky drop goal attempt before Wakefield provided the field position for Jamie Rooney to send his close-range effort over the bar.
It would prove to be the decisive kick, although this was one Rooney strike that no-one in Warrington would be celebrating.
Match facts
engage Super League
Round 17, June 18, 2006
Warrington Wolves 16
Wakefield T Wildcats 17
Wolves: Stuart Reardon; Henry Fa'afili, Toa Kohe-Love, Brent Grose, Richie Barnett; Lee Briers, Simon Grix; Chris Leikvoll, Jon Clarke, Paul Wood, Logan Swann, Mike Wainwright, Ben Westwood. Subs used: Steve Pickersgill, Mark Gleeson, Paul Noone, Andy Bracek.
Wildcats: Tom Saxton; Colum Halpenny, Jason Demetriou, Ryan Atkins, Semi Tadulala; Jamie Rooney, Ben Jeffries; Michael Korkidas, David March, Darrell Griffin, Ned Catic, David Solomona, Monty Betham. Subs used: Duncan MacGillivray, Adam Watene, Jamie Field, Paul White.
Referee: Ashley Klein
Scoring: Wolves are awarded two penalties in quick succession and Swann tumbles over the line after receiving Briers' pass and beating Solomona, 10mins, Briers converts, 6-0; Briers lands a 25m penalty after having his run blocked by Griffin, 18mins, 8-0; Solomona careers past Briers and Swann before laying on a try for the supporting Rooney, 22mins, Rooney goals, 8-6; Tadulala brilliantly gathers Jeffries' kick with one hand and touches down, 27mins, 8-10; Saxton's high pass puts Halpenny over in the corner with Wolves' defence all at sea, 36mins, 8-14; Wolves are punished for stealing and Rooney lands 35m penalty, 62mins, 8-16; Mark Gleeson burrows over from dummy half, 66mins, 12-16; Barnett collects Grose's pass and cuts inside to level the scores, 72mins, 16-16; Rooney kicks the decisive drop goal, 80mins, 16-17.
Sin bin: Wolves: Clarke 56mins (violent conduct). Wildcats: Korkidas 56mins (violent conduct).
Pens: Wolves 10 Wildcats 3
Scrums: Wolves 7 Wildcats 8
Attendance: 8,884
Warrington Guardian top men: Reardon 3pts, Mark Gleeson 2pts, Barnett 1pt.
Interesting note: Wolves need to win nine of their last 11 games to equal last season's points tally of 36.
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