EVERY now and again a performance can leave even the harshest critics lost for words.
And there can be no complaints about the way The Wire systematically annihilated Hull FC on their own midden on Friday night.
This was what supporters have been crying out for, a cocktail of relentless, merciless, free-flowing rugby that a depleted home side - albeit still a decent one - found too hot to handle.
Unlike in recent displays against Wakefield, Wigan and Huddersfield, Steve Price's men did not step off the gas once establishing a commanding lead.
And that lead, and ultimately victory, manifested in a whirlwind opening 22 minutes in which The Wire crossed for five unanswered tries.
Blake Austin's opening try. Pictures: Mike Boden
Try number two from Daryl Clark made it 12-0
Blake Austin went over for his second effort
Josh Charnley scores The Wire's fourth and fifth tries for the 28-0 lead inside 22 minutes
The havoc wreaked by marquee stand-off Blake Austin was a joy to behold, whether it was through his devastating running, line-splitting passing, deadly kicking and all-round organising in what was a masterclass display that augurs well for the rest of the year.
But he could not do what he did, including racking up four super tries, without the brutal bombardment unleashed down the middle by the likes of Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Joe Philbin.
Chris Hill leads the charge in his performance of the year so far
The power in the running and the skill of the tip-on passing, not to mention the precision off-loads, destroyed the hosts.
In fact the tone was set in the opening plays, with returning winger Tom Lineham's first foray being a statement of the intent against his former club.
Lineham, two tries, and second hat-trick man Josh Charnley, equally effective in the early or late part of sets, capitalised on all the outstanding foundation work.
There was not one Wire player who failed to perform, and that was after the setback of a reshuffle in the backs on the day due to Ryan Atkins withdrawing with illness.
That meant a first start in the centres for Jake Mamo and he showed it is a role he can handle with aplomb.
Hull, who conceded 80 points at The Halliwell Jones Stadium a week after The Wire's crushing Challenge Cup Final loss last year, managed only one try in each half and were rarely allowed to threaten beyond that.
It was both breathtaking and jaw-dropping. More please.
> Look back at the match as it happened
INTERESTING NOTES:
. Returns to the team for Tom Lineham and Harvey Livett
. Wire's biggest away win under Steve Price
. Austin becomes first player to score four tries in a Wire away win against Hull
. First four-try haul of Austin's professional career
. Ratchford becomes first player to kick nine conversions in a Wire away win against Hull
. Ratchford's 18 points equals record held by Paul Bishop for most points scored by a Wire player in an away win against Hull
. First start in the Wire centres for Jake Mamo
> Blake Austin interview: 'I certainly had fun'
MATCH FACTS:
Super League, Round Eight
Friday, March 29, 2019
Hull FC…12 Warrington Wolves…63
Hull FC: Hakim Miloudi; Bureta Faraimo, Carlos Tuimavave, Jordan Thompson, Josh Griffin; Albert Kelly, Marc Sneyd; Mickey Paea, Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Mark Minichiello, Sika Manu, Joe Westerman. Subs: Dean Hadley, Masi Matongo, Jordan Lane, Andre Savelio.
Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Jake Mamo, Toby King, Tom Lineham; Blake Austin, Dec Patton; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben C urrie, Joe Philbin. Subs: Jason Clark, Lama Tasi, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Harvey Livett
Second appearance of the season for Harvey Livett
Scoring: Austin try, 7mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; D Clark try, 12mins, Ratchford goal, 0-12; Austin try, 14mins, Ratchford goal, 0-18; Charnley try, 18mins, 0-22; Charnley try, 22mins, Ratchford goal, 0-28; Austin try, 33mins, Ratchford goal, 0-34; Keely try, 39mins, Sneyd goal, 6-34; Murdoch-Masila try, 41mins, Ratchford goal, 6-40; Austin try, 53mins, Ratchford goal, 6-46; Lineham try, 59mins, 6-50; Charnley try, 65mins, Ratchford goal, 6-56; Lane try, 68mins, Sneyd goal, 12-56; Lineham try, 78mins, Ratchford goal, 12-62; Austin drop-goal, 79mins, 12-63
Penalties: Hull FC 6 Wolves 3
Referee: Robert Hicks
Attendance: 10,810
Top Man: VOTE HERE
📺 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) March 31, 2019
Watch all the tries as the Wolves ran riot in Hull on Friday night 👇https://t.co/RJuUve8OJy
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