Crusaders (16) 16
Tries: Kear, Cahill, Sammut
Goals: Schifcofske 2
Warrington (28) 56
Tries: Hodgson 3, Wood 2, King, Morley, Westwood, Atkins, Myler
Goals: Hodgson 4

Rampant Warrington topped 50 points for the seventh time in nine matches to cement top spot in Super League.

After shipping two tries in the first 10 minutes to Matt King and skipper Adrian Morley, Crusaders bounced back to lead 16-12 with three of their own.

Elliot Kear, Hep Cahill and Jarrod Sammut crossed to cause a minor scare.

But Ben Westwood, Ryan Atkins and Paul Wood scored in quick order, the Wolves adding five more after the break, of which Brett Hodgson claimed three.

Hodgson kicked eight goals too, for a 28-point haul, while Richie Myler also got on the scoresheet.

And Wood, who also suffered a sternum injury on the same day that his wife gave birth to a daughter, added a second try to celebrate a busy day's work.

Warrington's free-scoring run started with 11 tries in the 64-6 win over Crusaders in mid-April.

And another 10 at the Racecourse Ground took them two points clear of Wigan and Huddersfield, while lifting their points difference to +391, massively superior to their rivals.

The return of Gareth Thomas from injury for Crusaders and talk of his former Wales team-mate Mike Phillips switching codes could not inspire a shock result.

But, against the side where he began his career, Iestyn Harris's Crusaders still did better than most have managed in recent weeks.

They were there for the taking. Warrington's performances over the last few weeks have been clinical and I don't think they were quite there this time Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris

They even actually had the effrontery to briefly take the lead - for all of six first-half minutes.

After King and Morley both struck, Crusaders would have been further behind had Wolves winger Rhys Williams, who spent time on loan at the Racecourse Ground earlier this season, not stepped in touch as he looked to score.

But that let-off got the Welsh outfit going, as Kear, Cahill and Sammut, set up by Michael Witt's kick, turned the game around.

Clinton Schifcofske's two conversions gave Warrington a 16-12 lead approaching half-time. But the visitors hit back when Westwood scored from close range, before Atkins raced the length of the field unopposed to score.

Chris Bridge then linked up with the impressive King and Wood was on hand to finish off their good work to earn a 28-16 lead at the turn.

Hodgson crossed himself straight after the restart before Wood went in for a second to end any hopes Crusaders had of mounting a comeback.

Myler then scored to make one last push for a starting spot in England's team to play the Exiles next Friday night before Hodgson went over to complete his hat-trick with two tries in three minutes.

Warrington coach Tony Smith:

"Crusaders are a much better team than the last time we played them. They were pretty good against Saints last week and they are a tough team.

"But there were some pretty big performances from us out there. We are pretty good at focusing on the game in hand so, more often than not, we are going home happy.

"Paul Wood was desperate to get back on to the pitch because he wanted a hat-trick. He has done a great job today. It can take the edge off you so for him to come out and perform was good. He rang me to say 'It's a girl - and I'm playing'."

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris:

"They were there for the taking. Warrington's performances over the last few weeks have been clinical and I don't think they were quite there this time.

"We got ourselves in a decent position during that first half but we had eight or nine people who decided they wanted to play the game tough and, when that happens against a very good side who are extremely good on the front foot, you are going to concede points.

"We spoke at half-time of doing the little things to keep us with them but unfortunately we didn't take it."

Crusaders: Schifcofske; Kear, Mellars, Thomas, Tansey; Witt, Hanbury; O'Hara, Withers, Moore, Cahill, Winternstein, Chan.

Replacements: Lupton, Sammut, Flower, Bryant.

Warrington: Hodgson; King, Bridge, Atkins, Williams; Briers, Myler; Morley, M Monaghan, Carvell, Anderson, Westwood, Grix.

Replacements: Solomona, Wood, Higham, Cooper.

Attendance: 4,907.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

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