Engage Super League XIII
Round One - Report

Warrington Wolves 32-20 Hull FC
The Halliwell Jones Stadium
Friday 8th February 2008
Attendance - 11,026

Australian Test centre Matt King marked his engage Super League debut with a spectacular length-of-the-field try as Warrington Wolves made an impressive 32-20 start to the season against injury-hit Hull FC.

The Wolves' other high-profile signings, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Louis Anderson, also made their mark as Warrington set their stall out to shed the under-achievers tag that has dogged them in recent years.

With scrum-half Monaghan pulling the strings and new captain Adrian Morley setting a superb example up front, the hosts looked a well-organised unit with firepower out wide.

Hull's injury crisis deepened with the loss of prop Garreth Carvell because of a knee problem but they shrugged off their woes to make a game of it, with teenage centre Craig Hall scoring two first-half tries.

The lasting memory for the 11,000 crowd will be the breathtaking try from King, whose last competitive match was for Melbourne Storm in October's NRL Grand Final triumph.

Monaghan, who was the architect of five of his side's six tries, released speedy winger Kevin Penny after taking the ball from a restart near his own line and the giant threequarter was in support to sprint 60 metres for the try.

Hull were missing seven regulars, five of them from their back division, but they showed commendable spirit throughout and took the lead with an early penalty from Danny Tickle.

Once Monaghan began pulling the strings, however, the Wolves began to look a class act and well capable of realising the huge expectations that resulted from their expensive recruitment.

Monaghan combined with half-back partner Lee Briers to get full-back Chris Bridge over for the game's first try after 13 minutes and the pair were also instrumental in Hicks' fine finish seven minutes later.

Bridge, whose half of mixed fortunes began when he took the ball over the dead-ball line from the kick-off, slipped on the greasy turf to gift a try to Hall, who was following up Danny Washbrook's speculative kick to the line.

Two tries in a minute from loose forward Vinnie Anderson, who took a pass from younger brother and debutant Louis, and King looked to have put the home side in firm command but Hall finished off a neat break by winger Todd Byrne to claim his second try and Tickle's third goal cut the deficit to six points at the break.

Warrington continued to dominate in the second half and they looked to have increased their lead when Hicks squeezed over in the corner for what would have been his second try.

Video referee Steve Ganson disallowed the score, ruling Monaghan had passed off the ground earlier in the move, but there was no stopping second rower Ben Westwood shortly afterwards when he took a short pass from the little Australian and stretched for the line.

Briers' third conversion made it 26-14 and Westwood had a second try disallowed after 54 minutes for a double movement.

It took Warrington until the 75th minute to get their next try, with Bridge taking a neat offload from veteran prop Paul Rauhihi to score his second try, and Briers kicked his fourth goal from seven attempts.

Hull at least had the final score when substitute Graeme Horne took Paul King's short pass to scoot away for a third try and Tickle maintained his 100 per cent record with a fourth goal.

The visitors sent on 17-year-old centre Tom Briscoe for his debut and he was immediately given the job of marking King, just days after taking time off school to train with his new team-mates.

Match Information

Warrington Squad - Bridge, Hicks, M. Gleeson, King, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L. Anderson, Westwood, V. Anderson.

Replacements: M. Gleeson, Parker, Johnson, Pickersgill.

Try Scorers:
C Bridge 2, C Hicks 1, M King 1, B Westwood 1, V Anderson 1,

Goal Scorers:
L Briers 4,

Hull FC Squad - Tony, Byrne, Hall, Berrigan, Williams, Washbrook, Lee, Cusack, Houghton, Carvell, Dowes, Manu, Tickle.

Replacements: King, G. Horne, Dale, Briscoe.

Try Scorers:
C Hall 2, G Horne 1,

Goal Scorers:
D Tickle 4,

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