Warrington Wolves 32 Bradford Bulls 4: Delight for Smith at denying dangerous Bulls

Wolves have not been their usual watertight selves over recent weeks in the Super League, but kept the previously free-scoring Bulls to just one try.

Scott Grix scores twice as one of seven Warrington touchdowns, but it was their efforts at the other end that most pleased their head coach.

Smith said: “To concede just four points in a Super League game and against a top-eight side is pretty good going and the try we did concede came after 21 tackles in a row.

“Today showed the grittiness we have had had in the past and we have been working hard on that aspect of our game so that was pretty pleasing

“Bradford are a hard-working team and were never going to give us any free passages, but as a team we felt if we were patient and didn’t panic about the scoreline or the conditions or amount of defence we had to do we would be ok.”

Smith was also delighted with his side’s clinical finishing – especially winger Joel Monaghan’s spectacular try.

“Joel bringing down the ball and getting it down in the corner was pretty special and the interchange of passing was terrific at times,” he added.

The Wolves boss also pointed out his club boasted four young debutants in Super League this weekend with Glenn Riley and Danny Bridge playing for the Wolves, Ben Evans for the Bulls and James Mendeika for London.

Bradford coach Francis Cummins was happy with his side’s efforts but felt missed opportunities cost them dear.

Cummins said: “I thought we probably lacked a little composure and missed some opportunities. The effort was there again – but you need more than effort to beat the bigger teams.

“Teams like Warrington have definitely got the experience that I can’t give to my team just yet but you have to deliver it on the day against the bigger teams.

“I’m frustrated we lost our way a bit and a little annoyed with our composure and not sticking to what we wanted to do.”

Warrington Wolves: Hodgson, C Riley, Grix, Atkins, J Monaghan, Ratchford, Myler, Cooper, Higham, Hill, Waterhouse, Westwood, Currie. Substitutes: Monaghan, Wood, D Bridge, G Riley.

Bradford Bulls: Kearney, Kear, Purtell, Lulia, Platt, Sammut, Gale, Scruton, L’Estrange, Manuokafoa, Bateman, Whitehead, Walker. Substitutes: Diskin, Addy, Evans, Sidlow.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).