Monaghan’s magic makes a big impact

MICHAEL Monaghan seemed almost bemused by the accolades that came his way after a man of the match debut on Friday night.

According to Monas, his performance was nothing special. He was just feeling his way into Super League. The team display had been a bit scrappy, too.

But maybe this was simply modesty from a man who has been reluctant to blow his own trumpet ever since his arrival in England.

Then you hear the views of Chris Hicks - Monaghan's teammate at Manly for the past four seasons.

"It's not much of a surprise to me that he played the way he did," said Hicks, who also impressed with a try-scoring debut.

"He's a good player. He performs fairly well in every game and I'm sure as you all get to see him play more often, he'll perform like that each week.

"Quality players tend to make a big impact and he's certainly one of those."

On Friday's evidence, there is no disputing that.

Monaghan seized control of the game to such an extent that Lee Briers, often Wolves' solitary hope of inspiration in the past, took up a supporting role despite doing little wrong himself.

How Wolves have been crying out for such a player.

Monaghan had a hand in three tries, including the rehearsed move that allowed Matt King to score a try of the season contender just 32 minutes into his Super League career.

Monaghan's pass released the electric Kevin Penny only 20 metres from the Wolves try line.

Most would struggle to keep pace with Penny but King was there on the inside to collect the pass, race the final half of the field and raise the Halliwell Jones roof for the first time this season.

It was the type of try King often scored during his days playing for New South Wales and Australia. What a pleasure and a privilege to see him do it in a Warrington shirt.

Wolves' display was not perfect and Hull were missing seven players through injury but it was a highly encouraging start to the season.

Wolves, who had groundsman Mel Jones to thank for delivering a decent playing surface in the face of recent problems, looked dangerous and were rarely short of options in attack.

Chris Bridge linked up well at full back but still looked vulnerable defensively and Wolves will need to be more solid as a team to keep out St Helens this weekend.

But, unlike their opening day win at Wigan a year ago, Wolves' victory came at no medical cost.

The foundations have been laid, how they build on them will now be the key.

Match facts.

engage Super League Round One, February 8, 2008.

Warrington Wolves 32 Hull FC 20.

Wolves: Chris Bridge (2t); Chris Hicks (1t), Martin Gleeson, Matt King (1t), Kevin Penny; Lee Briers (4g), Michael Monaghan; Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Paul Rauhihi, Ben Westwood (1t), Louis Anderson, Vinnie Anderson (1t). Subs used: Rob Parker, Mark Gleeson, Paul Johnson, Steve Pickersgill.

Hull: Motu Tony; Todd Byrne, Craig Hall (2t), Shaun Berrigan, Danny Williams; Danny Washbrook, Tommy Lee; Peter Cusack, Danny Houghton, Garreth Carvell, Ewan Dowes, Willie Manu, Danny Tickle (4g). Subs used: Paul King, Graeme Horne (1t), Tom Briscoe, Matty Dale.

Referee: Ashley Klein.

Scoring: Tickle lands 30m penalty after interference from Westwood, 5mins, 0-2; Bridge is in support on the outside to move on to Briers' pass, 14mins, 4-2; Hicks steps inside Williams after Briers and Vinnie Anderson had linked up, 21mins, 8-2; Bridge fails to gather Washbrook's kick and Hall pounces, 25mins, Tickle converts, 8-8; Vinnie Anderson collects a pass from brother Louis after Martin Gleeson's offload had kept the ball alive, 30mins, Briers converts, 14-8; Monaghan puts Penny away 20m from Wolves' own try line and King is in support to run the final 50m, 32mins, Briers converts, 20-8; Hall collects Byrne's inside ball but the initial pass by Berrigan looked forward, 40+mins, Tickle converts, 20-14; Westwood crashes over from Monaghan's inch-perfect pass, 49mins, Briers converts, 26-14; Rauhihi's offload puts Bridge over, 78mins, Briers converts, 32-14; Graeme Horne takes King's pass to score, 80+mins, Tickle converts, 32-20.

Pens: Wolves 12 Hull 14.

Scrums: Wolves 8 Hull 4.

Attendance: 11,026.

Warrington Guardian top men: Monaghan 3pts, Morley 2pts, Westwood 1pt.

Interesting note: Warrington ended the season top of the league on the last two occasions they opened their campaign with a home win against Hull - in 1954/55 and 1972/73.