RICHIE Mathers scored twice on his return debut for Warrington Wolves as they cruised past Featherstone 56-8 in the Challenge Cup.

Starting for the first time since his move from Wigan last month, Mathers scored in each half to delight the travelling fans.

But the real hero for Warrington was Michael Monaghan, who provided a devastating creative influence at half back in probably his best performance of the season so far.

The Australian was insightful and energetic, constantly sniping at gaps in the Featherstone defence, prising it open time and again to ensure Lee Briers' continued absence was barely felt.

His compatriot Chris Hicks also impressed, touching down twice to take his tally to 10 tries in four games, while adding 16 points with the boot.

Despite the ease of victory, Warrington did not make the most convincing of starts.

Playing up the infamous slope at The Chris Moyles Stadium, they looked a little sloppy and lethargic in the opening quarter.

Poor kicking and silly penalties handed Fev decent field position and they took advantage when Tommy Haughey flicked on Andy Kain’s flat pass to send Tommy Saxton in at the corner on nine minutes.

But, after seeing off that opening charge from Fev, Wolves clicked into gear in the second quarter.

They were somewhat fortunate to get the break when they did, with Rovers piling on the pressure inside their 20-metre area, but Simon Grix snapped up an ambitious pass from Richard Blakeway and raced 80 metres to score.

Rocked by that blow, Fev seemed helpless to stop Wolves scoring again three minutes later.

The home fans screamed for a forward pass after Jon Clarke’s inside ball to Monaghan but the Aussie broke from 40 metres out before finding Mathers on the inside.

Wolves’ full back could not hide his delight at his first try since returning to the club.

Monaghan then gave the scoreline a slightly flattering look at the break, scoring one try and creating another.

An impressive scything run allowed him to take out three defenders to score on the left nine minutes before half time.

And, on the stroke of half time, he dummied through the line to feed Paul Wood, the prop forward strolling in under the posts. Hicks’ goal made it 20-4.

That momentum continued into the second half, as Warrington hit the hosts with a 15-minute three-try blitz to effectively end the game as a contest.

With Chris Bridge reverting to right centre from stand off and Clarke and Monaghan linking up in the halves, Wolves provided a more potent attacking threat.

That point was made within 53 seconds of the restart, Hicks taking Clarke’s long pass to score on the right before adding the goal.

Haughey replied soon after for Featherstone, scoring after Saxton had skilfully tapped Andy Kain’s high kick back to him.

But that was a brief interlude in the onslaught, Warrington responding in kind when Clarke’s hanging kick was brilliantly taken by Hicks, who touched down and kicked the extras.

With Fev beaten and exhausted, Mathers scored his second try, providing good support after Mickey Higham had made an incisive break from dummy half 20 metres out.

And just eight minutes later, Ben Harrison strolled over from close range, Hicks converting both tries.

Wolves brought up the half century with eight minutes to go, thanks to a dreadful error from Stuart Kain.

After chasing a kick back to his own try line, he bizarrely threw away possession in a tackle from Monaghan and the ball was quickly shifted wide for Chris Riley to score. Hicks goaled once more.

Scoring was completed two minutes from time when Bridge broke from inside his own half to saunter in between the posts and give Hicks an easy kick.