WOLVES did not so much avoid a potential banana skin as they hopped, skipped and jumped over it.

Their trip to Featherstone could so easily have seen them come a cropper.

A sloping pitch, compact ground and hostile home crowd. All the ingredients were there for a Challenge Cup upset.

But the consummate ease with which they disposed of their Championship opponents says much about Tony Smith’s side.

Aside from a slightly shaky opening spell, there was barely a hint of nerves from any of the players.

Neither was there a hint of any complacency. Instead, Wolves struck the right balance between confidence and respect for their opponents, ensuring the smoothest possible passage to the quarter finals.

Inevitably, Fev were always going to have their moment.

It came nine minutes in when Tommy Saxton finished off an impressive move to give Rovers what, at the time, was a deserved lead.

But that was the extent of their impact on the tie and, although they provided a spirited resistance, putting in some good work with the ball, they were simply blown away by the visitors’ firepower.

Much of the ammunition was provided by Michael Monaghan.

The Australian half back has received plenty of criticism during his time in England and, by his own admission, performances have not reached the expected standards.

But this was a display of quality and class, possibly on par with last season’s stellar showing in the 60-24 win against Wakefield.

Captaining the team in the absence of Adrian Morley and without regular half back partner Lee Briers, Monaghan revelled in the extra responsibility.

There was no fuss, no nonsense, he simply grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and refused to let go.

Monaghan was energetic and insightful, his sniping breaks continually prising open the Fev defence to provide opportunities for his teammates.

Richie Mathers was the first beneficiary of Monaghan’s brilliance, the full back’s good support work leaving him in the right place at the right time to score Wolves’ second try.

Mathers’ reaction to that score exhibited all the passion and desire Warrington fans cry out for from the players and showed just how excited he is to be involved in the club.

It was exactly the kind of confidence boost the former England international needed and he went on to show just what he can offer.

Solid in defence and always willing to come into the line and take on responsibility with the ball, Tony Smith may yet be able to bring out the best in his former protege.

After a victory like this, Wolves supporters will be hopeful Smith can do the same with their team as well.

Match facts

Featherstone Rovers 8 Warrington Wolves 56

Wolves: Richie Mathers (2t); Chris Hicks (2t, 8g), Matt King, Simon Grix (1t), Chris Riley (1t); Chris Bridge (1t), Michael Monaghan (1t); Garreth Carvell, Jon Clarke, Ben Westwood, Louis Anderson, Paul Johnson, Ben Harrison (1t). Subs: Mickey Higham, Mike Cooper, Paul Wood (1t), Matty Blythe.

Rovers: Ian Hardman; Jon Steele, Andy Kirk, Tommy Haughey (1t), Tommy Saxton (1t); Iestyn Harris, Andy Kain; Tony Tonks, Richard Blakeway, Stuart Dickens, Matt Dale, Tim Spears, Jamie Field. Subs: John Fallon, Joe McLocklan, Stuart Kain, James Houston.

Referee: Ian Smith

Scoring: A penalty for ball stealing gives Rovers position and Andy Kain’s flat pass zips off Haughey to Saxton who scores in the corner, 9mins, 4-0; Grix intercepts ambitious pass from Blakeway and races almost 80 metres to score, 21mins, 4-4; Monaghan makes the break off inside pass from Clarke and sends in Mathers, 24mins, Hicks converts, 4-10; Scything run sees Monaghan carve open the defence to score on the left, 31mins, 4-14; Monaghan dummies his way through the defence to send Wood strolling between the posts, 40mins, Hicks adds the extras, 4-20; Hicks takes Clarke’s long pass to score in the right corner, 41mins, Hicks converts, 4-26; Saxton flicks Andy Kain’s crossfield kick to Haughey for an easy score in the left corner, 47mins, 8-26; Hicks claims Clarke’s high, hanging kick under pressure from Saxton to touch down, 50mins, Hicks kicks the goal, 8-32; Mathers scores after good support play following Higham’s incisive break from dummy half, 55mins, Hicks converts, 8-38; Harrison collects Monaghan pass to saunter over from close range, 63mins, Hicks goals, 8-44; Stuart Kain bizarrely throws possession away in a tackle from Monaghan and ball is moved wide for Riley to score, 72mins, Hicks tags on the extras, 8-50; Bridge intercepts pass from Harris and breaks from inside his own half to score, 78mins, Hicks converts, 8-56.

Pens: Wolves 5 Rovers 5

Attendance: 3,127

Warrington Guardian top men: Monaghan 3pts, Mathers 2pts, Higham 1pt.

Interesting note: Richie Mathers also scored twice on his debut for former club Wigan.