By Dave Woods BBC Sport

But the new home of Warrington Wolves still promises to become a firm favourite with rugby league fans in the weeks and years ahead.

Hundreds of supporters were reportedly locked out of the ground for the big kick-off despite having tickets only to be let in later in the match.

The planners and the club should be applauded for bucking the current trend of creating all-seater stadia

And the referee and his touch-judges were forced to take a cold shower at the end of the game because of a foul-up in the plumbing.

But those were teething troubles that should be sorted by the time Warrington next stage a home game.

And every other aspect of their opening fixture against Wakefield left a positive glow.

For a start, how many Warrington games against Wakefield have attracted a sell-out crowd in the last few decades?

The new stadium played a major role in Saturday's.

Match report: Warrington 34-20 Wakefield

And those who came for the first time in years, or indeed ever, to witness rugby league in the town will probably be back for more.

The ground has terracing at one end and along one main stand, which instantly guarantees a cracking atmosphere.

The planners and the club should be applauded for bucking the current trend of creating all-seater stadia which often feel empty even when three-quarters full.

As for the pitch, it's enormous, the biggest in the game.

Just one hour after the final hooter, all roads leading from the ground were clear

In fact, it's the maximum size allowed - and with grass stretching a good few metres beyond the whitewash on all sides, there is a panoramic feel to watching the action.

Access is good, especially for fans travelling from the M62, which will be the way in for most travelling supporters.

And just one hour after the final hooter, all roads leading from the ground were clear.

Memories of Wilderspool will be quickly forgotten at this rate.

If only we could do something about the new name.......