WARRINGTON WOLVES 24 ST HELENS 14
KASEY SMITH, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Friday

A MARKER was laid down by Warrington, in front of a sell-out crowd, as they swept aside St Helens for a big victory in the opening round.

Before Saints restored some pride, Warrington – and particularly their tricky fullback Cai Taylor-Wray – were too hot to handle. Equally remarkable, however, was that this clash drew the Wolves’ biggest crowd in 52 years.

The challenges facing rugby league have been well documented, with dwindling television revenues placing significant strain on clubs. Yet in recent years, Super League has enjoyed something of a resurgence.

The league already appears to be reaping the rewards of its expansion to 14 teams. York recorded an historic first Super League victory over last year’s treble winners, Hull KR, in front of another packed crowd on Thursday.

The current momentum follows the recent revivals of clubs such as Leigh and Wakefield, which must surely help transform Super League into a compelling proposition for broadcasters, as negotiations over the next television deal approach.

The teams on the field reflected that wider narrative: two sides who have endured their share of struggles, yet begin the new season with renewed belief and genuine optimism of delivering success.

Any early-season optimism for St Helens quickly evaporated in this game. With Paul Rowley at the helm – a coach celebrated for his stylish brand of rugby – confidence has been high, but what unfolded on the field offered little evidence of it.

Toby King got the ball rolling for Warrington. It came after George Williams, engaging the line, released a pass out wide for the centre who brushed aside Harry Robertson to power over for the opening score of the game.

The 15,000-strong crowd erupted as 19-year-old Taylor-Wray, newly elevated to the number one shirt, exploded into action, slicing through the Saints’ line from his own 30-metre mark and leaving Jack Welsby trailing in his wake with that blistering pace as he raced under the posts to double Warrington’s lead with a second Marc Sneyd conversion.

The pocket rocket was then at it again. Taylor-Wray’s compact frame and lightning-fast agility made him a constant menace for the Saints. Slipping free and weaving through every inch of space he darted off again, before Albert Hopoate topped off the move, grounding for Warrington’s third of the evening.

Although that went unconverted, a Sneyd penalty on the stroke of half-time added insult to injury, making it 18-0.

Warrington endured an early second-half onslaught, as the Saints finally ignited, seemingly galvanised by what must have been a sharp half-time dressing-down.

They weathered much of it, but an unforced knock-on deep in their own territory left them exposed. Saints had two tries ruled out before Welsby finally broke through. His try came at a cost, though, as he was forced off through a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Sailor grabbed another, seemingly out of nowhere, to set up a nervy finish, but the Wolves fanbase needn’t have worried. They struck again, moments later, through Josh Thewlis to put the game to bed.

Kyle Feldt grabbed a consolation in the final seconds, but it took nothing away from Warrington’s performance.

GAMESTAR: Young Warrington fullback Cai Taylor-Wray proved a constant thorn in Saints’ side. If he continues delivering performances like this, we could be looking at a future star of the game.

GAMEBREAKER: Josh Thewlis’ try, to wrap up a Warrington win, came after a deluge of Saints pressure that threatened to turn the result on its head.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Cai Taylor-Wray’s try had the whole stadium on their feet, and was first class.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Cai Taylor-Wray (Warrington)
2 pts Josh Thewlis (Warrington)
1 pt Tristan Sailor (St Helens)

MATCHFACTS

WOLVES
1 Cai Taylor-Wray
2 Josh Thewlis
4 Albert Hopoate
3 Toby King
26 Josh Smith
6 George Williams
7 Marc Sneyd
8 Luke Yates
9 Danny Walker
16 Liam Byrne
10 James Harrison
12 Sam Stone
13 Ben Currie
Subs (all used)
15 Toafofoa Sipley (D)
17 Jordy Crowther
22 Joe Philbin
34 Kelepi Tanginoa
18th man (not used)
21 Luke Thomas
Also in 21-man squad
14 Sam Powell
18 Ewan Irwin
27 Jake Thewlis

Tries: King (13), Taylor-Wray (17), Hopoate (28), Josh Thewlis (67)
Goals: Sneyd 4/5

SAINTS
1 Jack Welsby
2 Kyle Feldt
3 Harry Robertson
25 Nene Macdonald
5 Deon Cross
6 Tristan Sailor
31 Jackson Hastings
13 David Klemmer
9 Daryl Clark
15 George Delaney
12 Shane Wright
16 Matt Whitley
22 Joe Shorrocks
Subs (all used)
7 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
14 Jacob Host (D)
24 Owen Dagnall
18th man (not used)
28 Jake Davies
Also in 21-man squad
17 George Whitby
20 Lewis Murphy
23 Jake Burns

Tries: Welsby (60), Sailor (63), Feldt (80)
Goals: Hastings 1/3
Sin bin: Hastings (68) – late tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 16-0, 18-0; 18-4, 18-10, 24-10, 24-14

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Saints: Tristan Sailor

Penalty count: 6-4
Half-time: 18-0
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 15,064