Warrington (10) 14
Tries: Briers, Higham, Hicks Goal: Hicks Leeds (14) 20
Tries: Ablett, Sinfield, McGuire Goals: Sinfield 4
 Danny McGuire dives for his crucial try at the Halliwell Jones Stadium |
Tony Smith's tenure as Warrington head coach began with a cruel defeat after Leeds snatched the points with a late try from Danny McGuire. Smith, who guided Leeds to two titles in four years in charge, saw his new side lose their ninth straight match. Leeds were 12-0 ahead after six minutes thanks to converted tries from Carl Ablett and Kevin Sinfield. Wolves made it 14-14 before the hour through Lee Briers, Mickey Higham and Chris Hicks but McGuire sealed the win. The hosts dominated for long spells but were let down by poor handling and thwarted by excellent defending. Leeds caught Wolves cold inside three minutes when a McGuire grubber kick deceived their defence, allowing Ablett to collect. Moments later, Rob Burrow ushered Sinfield over the line from close range. He converted both tries.  | 606: DEBATE |
Wolves responded through stand-off Briers who ghosted through the Leeds rearguard and dummied his way over in the 14th minute. A 34th-minute Sinfield penalty gave Leeds breathing space, but Warrington kept up the pressure and Higham barged over from close range on 39 minutes. Hicks converted, and Wolves continued to have the better of the game after the break. They claimed their third score in the 57th when Hicks collected from Martin Gleeson to touch down in the right corner. Hicks failed to convert, and tempered boiled over soon after when Louis Anderson was placed on report for trading punches with Leeds prop Ryan Bailey. The visitors snatched victory in the 70th minute when Chris Riley was tackled by Jamie Jones-Buchanan and McGuire collected before scampering through a gap to touch down. Sinfield added the conversion for his fourth goal to cap a fine individual performance.
Warrington head coach Tony Smith:
"I was very encouraged by many, many things in that performance. "The spirit was actually pretty good for a team who have just lost a number of games in succession, and I thought the defence was outstanding. "Yes, there were a few too many errors and there are things we need to learn, but it has been a tough week for these players. "They've had to deal with a new coach coming in, but I I can feel the tables turning already." Leeds coach Brian McClennan:
"I just want to point out that there was only one import in the 13 players who started the match. "That's really good for the game in this country and shows the trust we have in our young players and that we are giving them a chance. "We had to do a lot of defending to do in that second half, and it was a great effort by all the boys."
Warrington: Riley, Hicks, Gleeson, King, Johnson, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L Anderson, Harrison, V Anderson.
Replacements: Wood, Mitchell, Higham, Pickersgill. Leeds: Smith, Donald, Watkins, Gibson, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Mcshane, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield.
Replacements: Leuluai, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Allan. Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
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