Super League has recently turned 25, and with that in mind, I've been doing a three-part series. This is part two, looking at Warrington's top ten matches from 25 years of Super League. If you missed part one, ranking Wire's top ten seasons, you can find that here. Let's get cracking then...
10) Warrington Wolves 52-12 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wilderspool Stadium
21st September 2003
Super League Round 28
A packed crowd of 9621 descended on Wilderspool for the last game at the old ground. Graham Appo scored a hat-trick as Wire signed off from their home with a thumping win which secured the club's first ever place in the playoffs courtesy of a performance which did justice to the legends who had graced the Wilderspool pitch in years gone by.
9) Salford City Reds 0-60 Warrington Wolves
The Willows
22nd April 2011
Super League Round 11
Wire scored ten tries in a match for the second straight game in April 2011. Lee Briers, returning from injury, scored twice, as did Rhys Williams. Joel Monaghan bagged on his way to 26 tries in 2011, with Ryan Atkins, Richie Myler, Chris Bridge, Garreth Carvell and Paul Wood also scoring. Briers ran the show, with Brett Hodgson adding ten goals as Wire kept Salford scoreless and hit them for sixty on the club's final visit to the Willows.
8) Warrington Wolves 39-12 Wigan Warriors
Halliwell Jones Stadium
4th September 2011
Super League Round 26
We're in 2011 again and in the penultimate match of the season, Wire took apart their great rivals to win the League Leaders Shield for the first time in the club's history. Matt King and Lee Briers scored the first two tries, while hooker Michael Monaghan crossed twice. Jon Clarke crossed in the second half, with Michael's brother Joel putting the seal on the victory with a full-length interception try. What a day.
7) St Helens 18-36 Warrington Wolves
Totally Wicked Stadium
29th September 2012
Playoff Semi-Finals
Warrington went away to St Helens and turned them over, running in six tries on their way to a playoff semi-final. Chris Riley slid in for Wire's first try but they trailed 14-6 before the break. Joel Monaghan and Simon Grix scored to put Wire in the lead, but it wasn't until a brilliant brace from the marvellous Trent Waterhouse - the second in particular was a gem - that the away team looked in control. Riley added his second late on and Brett Hodgson kicked six goals to secure the club's first ever appearance in a Grand Final.
6) Warrington Wolves 68-4 Widnes Vikings
Etihad Stadium
26th May 2012
Magic Weekend
Magic Weekend at the Etihad Stadium was the scene of one of Wire's most destructive Super League performances. Warrington ran in twelve tries against their biggest rivals and only conceded one in a red-hot performance. Joel Monaghan scored five of the tries, one of only three Wire players to ever do so in Super League.
5) Warrington Wolves 47-0 Huddersfield Giants
Halliwell Jones Stadium
16th September 2011
Playoff Elimination Match
After topping the league and playing the best rugby of anyone all season, the pressure was on as League Leaders Warrington hosted the dangerous Huddersfield Giants. Would Tony Smith's team be able to cope with the pressure? You bet they would. They ran in 47 unanswered points as the Giants had no answer for the Wolves' scintillating play. Joel Monaghan and Chris Riley both scored braces, while Brett Hodgson, Richie Myler, Ryan Atkins, Chris Bridge and Matt King - who finished off a glorious team move - also crossed.
4) Warrington Wolves 33-16 Leeds Rhinos
Halliwell Jones Stadium
10th September 2005
Super League Round 27
One of the most special nights in Warrington's Super League history. Wire had secured the signing of Andrew Johns, the best player in the world at the time, on a short-term deal. The town, and the league, caught Johns-fever and a packed crowd enjoyed witnessing the great man live for his Super League debut. He kicked five goals, one drop-goal and a brilliant assist for Logan Swann as Wire defeated the defending champions at home. He may have only made three appearances for the club, but no-one will ever forget this man's debut.
3) St Helens 13-18 Warrington Wolves
Totally Wicked Stadium
4th October 2018
Playoff Semi-Final
St Helens had won the League Leaders Shield by a distance, while Warrington had scrambled home in 4th, but that didn't stop Steve Price's team earning a huge win at the Saints to upset the odds and make the Grand Final. Jack Hughes was on the scoresheet, with Tom Lineham grabbing two tries - the second of which has created memories and scenes that will be remembered forever. This was one of the great playoff upsets.
2) Salford Red Devils 30-31 Warrington Wolves
AJ Bell Stadium
3rd March 2016
Super League Round 4
Warrington's 2016 team was full of quality and character, and they showed that in spades in this Thursday night clash against Salford. Despite Jack Hughes and Ben Currie scoring in the first half, Salford were 30-12 in front at the interval. However, two tries from Ryan Atkins and one from Ashton Sims levelled the match. With the scores at 30-30, bang on the hooter, Chris Sandow picked up the ball from the back of a tackle and slotted over the most unbelievable drop goal from 40m out to win the match in incredible circumstances.
1) Leeds Rhinos 17-18 Warrington Wolves
Headingley Stadium
22nd September 2006
Playoff Elimination Match
A colossal night for Warrrington Wolves. Wire had been inconsistent away from home and were on the wrong end of a pummelling at Headingley a few weeks before, meaning that the Rhino were overwhelming favourites for this one, particularly when they were 12-4 in front. However, Warrington's fight was superb and after Henry Fa'afili, Michael Sullivan and Ben Westwood scored, Lee Briers nailed two drop-goals, the last of which winning the match in the dying moments, ensuring Wire won their first ever playoff match. Frustratingly, I couldn't find full highlights of the match anywhere online, but you can see Briers' winning drop-goal below.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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