Wolves hungry for the Double after Briers tucks into Leeds
Warrington are a club in the process of rewriting their history. From not having won the Challenge Cup since 1974, they have now won it twice in two years and, given their ability and ambition, there is no reason they should not continue to carry off trophies.
It was Warrington's fault that this was not the classic Wembley many of us predicted. They were just too good on the day. All the trappings of a classic were in place. Players from the unforgettable 1985 final between Wigan and Hull were paraded before the game. Leeds were led out by their 90-year-old president, Harry Jepson, who was at Wembley when these two clubs last met in a Cup final in 1936. Also, instead of being presented to some dignitary who neither knows nor cares about rugby league, the two sides hugged – no place for formal handshakes, this – Steve Prescott, the ex-player who has been such a tireless fund-raiser since being diagnosed with cancer. It was a heart-warming sight to see the game embrace its own.
With all tickets sold and even the "Ring of Indifference" that is Club Wembley tolerably full and looking less like a tidemark around a bath-tub than usual, there was never going to be any lack of atmosphere. It was just a shame that Leeds failed to come to the party, but that was because they had the invitation snatched away by the Wolves whenever they got near the doorstep.
If the game as a contest failed to live up to its promise and its setting, it was their doing. Warrington were just too efficient to let that happen. Mind you, it helps when, even when you could have got it wrong, you get it right.
The Wolves coach, Tony Smith, made a huge call by leaving out his regular scrum-half, Richie Myler, amid unconfirmed rumours of a major argument between the two. Heartbroken in the build-up, Myler said and did all the right things on the day, while Smith was disinclined to claim too much credit for selectorial genius. As he will know, the Wolves were so superior on the day that they would have won with the septuagenarian Frank Myler at half-back, let alone the pacy Richard.
Those who might have missed out had he played, Jon Clarke and Micky Higham, did not have the most eye-catching of games and nor did last year's man of the match, Michael Monaghan, but between them they undeniably got the job done.
Leeds' Brian McClennan also made a big decision, leaving Ali Lauitiiti out for what he expected to be a defensive slog in the sun. As it was, the Rhinos were soon behind and in need of a spark of creativity, which Lauitiiti might just have provided from the bench.
The Rhinos could have had the early lead they needed, however, if Ryan Bailey had not tried to go through Richie Mathers rather than past him. Helped by Louis Anderson, the full-back – effectively shown the door at Warrington by the signing for next season of Brett Hodgson – managed to prevent the ball being grounded. It was one of at least three try-saving tackles in a performance that raised the question of why it is necessary to replace him with a veteran Australian. "I thought he was fantastic," said Smith. "It was the best game I've seen from him in a Warrington shirt."
drive from www.independent.co.uk
