AFTER the first team’s Super League win, there was a chance to make it two Warrington Wolves wins out of two against London Broncos in the reserves meeting that followed.
And the young Wire side responded impressively to the task, scoring 39 unanswered second-half points to run riot at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Those who stayed behind after the main game were treated to a fine display from the visitors, who came through a hard-fought first half to canter away to a 59-6 victory in the capital and extended their winning run to four matches.
Ryan O’Brien’s side ran in 11 tries in all, including a hat-trick for Jake Thewlis and braces for Zac Bardsley-Rowe, James Duffy and Flynn Holden, who was playing his first reserve-grade game at full-back following Cai Taylor-Wray’s first-team call-up.
Prop Joe Bajer marked his return from long-term injury with a try of his own, with Ewan Smith scoring Warrington’s other try.
From the boot, Frank Sergent converted seven of the 11 tries while half-back Joe Hickey added a drop goal.
In all, O’Brien was pleased with how his side rebounded from what he described as a “disappointing” first half, in which London scored their only try courtesy of Papua New Guinea international forward Emmanuel Waine.
“We were disappointed with the first half - we were wasteful with the ball, didn’t carry hard enough and didn’t go after the collision in defence,” he said.
“We addressed that at half time and then set the tone with our first five defensive sets of the second half.
“Once we earned a foothold in the game, we were very clinical with the ball and took advantage of the opportunities presented to us.
“There were some very pleasing individual performances, including Flynn Holden who played his first game at this grade and did a great job at full back.”
There is one reserve-grade fixture left this year – a trip to Castleford Tigers on Saturday, August 24.
Wolves: Flynn Holden; Frank Sergent, James Duffy, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, Jake Thewlis; Pat Irwin, Adam Whalley; Stephen Antrobus, Ben Hartill, Daniel Okoro, Ewan Smith, Nolan Tupaea, Sam Marshall. Subs: Joe Hickey, Joe Bajer, Noah High, Bobby Shingler. 18th: Charlie McKler
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