It didn't quite have the sparkle that last week's demolition of Hull FC had, but it was a very calm and composed performance as Warrington disposed of London Broncos fairly comfortably, running in nine tries and restricting Danny Ward's team to just two, recording win number eight of the season. Here are my player rankings from a win which took us top of the league...
1 - Tom Lineham
In last week's rankings article a hat-trick hero missed out on top spot, but there is no repeat this week. Lineham scored three great tries in the corner and crucially broke the deadlock with a try which required excellent acrobatics, similar to his effort against Hull KR in Round Two. The second and third were both late and were displays of sheer force, the like of which Ben Murdoch-Masila would've been proud. That's now five tries for Lineham in two games since he returned to the team - and with both wingers in free-scoring form, we are always a major threat out wide.
2 - Ben Currie
My word. The statistics for Currie's performance last night are quite frankly staggering. Currie made 47 tackles (forty seven!) and didn't miss a single one! The best of those 47 came late in the second half when he produced a wonderful chase and tackle to prevent a dead cert of a try for Alex Walker. It is just so good to have Currie back in this team.
3 - Blake Austin
Two tries for Austin against London made it seven in the last three games, which from a halfback is unbelievable. Both of his tries came from glorious little dummies which once again were sold to the highest bidder, and are becoming a real trademark of his game. He also made fourteen tackles in a solid defensive shift, and was instrumental in Atkins' and Charnley's tries.
4 - Ryan Atkins
I've been really impressed with Atkins in the last few games. After a very average start to the season, he has improved dramatically in terms of his handling quality in recent weeks. Last night he scored one of the best tries of the season, making a break from his own half and fighting off the challenges of three men to score. Atkins was very good defensively too, making ten tackles and setting the tone for the early defensive discipline.
5 - Stefan Ratchford
Yet another great performance from the ever-reliable full back. Ratchford scored a try in the second half which came from the confusion that his own high kick created, and he also registered an assist for Lineham's first try with a great ball out wide. Perhaps most impressively, Ratchford didn't miss a tackle in the game. His goal-kicking was fairly good, nailing six out of nine.
6 - Jason Clark
One of the most pleasing things about this game was seeing Jason Clark score his first try for the club. It was a bit of a scrappy one but nice for him to get off the mark. He made 18 metres and completed 13 tackles, a good return. Perhaps most impressive about Clark is his reliability - he has only made three errors all season.
7 - Daryl Clark
Even when he's not had one of his more eye-catching games, Daryl Clark still ranks fairly highly. The number nine completed 28 tackles without missing a single one, and was involved in Jason Clark's try with a neat kick which caused a lot of bother for the Broncos defence. He was withdrawn with 26 minutes left, giving him a thoroughly deserved rest ahead of next week.
8 - Matt Davis
This was a fine debut for Davis, who was the centre of a bizarre circumstance which saw him make his Wire bow against the team he has just been on loan to. Steve Price commented on how pleased he was with Davis' debut performance, adding a lot of energy to the squad. Having another option in the forward line could be important this season.
9 - Joe Philbin
For the third game in a row, Philbin started at loose forward. He was good again, completing 22 tackles and only missing two, a very good return. 91 metres is a respectable record as well, and I'd be surprised if Steve Price doesn't choose him for the St Helens game next week - he is becoming a very trustworthy player.
10 - Josh Charnley
Super League's top scorer in 2019 added another to his collection when he took Austin's pass under control and pushed his way over the line. He could've had a few more but for very resilient London defence. He also had a stint at full back towards the end and was very comfortable under the kick.
11 - Toby King
King had a fairly quiet evening on Friday, though his stats make for good reading. He didn't make a single error in the game, and was instrumental in Stefan Ratchford's second half try, putting in a very aggressive chase which forced the error out of Alex Walker. So pleased he got given a new contract.
12 - Declan Patton
Patton's tackling was the best it has been all season on Friday, completing 34 tackles, comfortably his strongest return of 2019. He saw little of the ball, making just five carries, though made his highest amount of yardage in four games. His kicking game wasn't brilliant but he got himself an assist for Tom Lineham's final try, with a lovely long pass out wide.
13 - Chris Hill
The skipper had a very pleasant evening, starting the game and putting in a good shift, before being withdrawn on 31 minutes. With the scoreline reasonably comfortable, Hill did not need to return to the field, with his work done after just over half an hour which saw him make 11 tackles and 76 metres.
14 - Harvey Livett
The 22-year-old made his second start of the season in the second row and did a sound job defensively, completing an impressive 27 tackles. Surprisingly, Livett only had two carries of the ball in the game.
15 - Danny Walker
Walker was back in the squad and this allowed Daryl Clark to sit a portion of the game out. The new signing for 2019 put in a decent display, making seven successful tackles, as well as making up 31 metres with just three carries. More interestingly, he replicated Clark's runs from dummy half, making two of his own in his time on the pitch.
16 - Lama Tasi
This was Tasi's first start at prop and he did a respectable job, making 72 metres with eight carries, though was less impressive in terms of tackling - completing 11, which isn't bad, but is far less than the rest of the forward line. He also gave away one of the early penalties that Wire conceded.
17 - Ben Murdoch-Masila
Murdoch-Masila not starting this match was confirmation if it were ever needed that Price sees him as an interchange rather than a starter. He only had 26 minutes on the field and saw very little of the ball, in fact just making two carries - though he did complete nine tackles.
There we are then, a very solid display at the Halliwell Jones saw Warrington make it eight wins out of nine in 2019 and move top of the league. Let me know your thoughts on my player rankings and if there are any you disagree with. Check out my report from the night and keep an eye on the blog for a big week of articles which will include a combined Saints/Wire team and the regular Sweet 17 for the big one on Friday...
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
No comments:
Post a Comment