26th June.The first half at Saints can only be describe as a comedy of errrors,both teams seemed intent on trying to lose the ball more than the other side. The only thing of note that coccured was a try by Warrington scored by that man Nathan Wood. A goal apiece for Saints by Sculthorpe and for Warrington by Noone, gave us a halftime score of 2-6 to Wire. Cardiss opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty goal, Saints came alive on 48 minutes with a try by Albert he added another on 58 minutes both converted by Sculthorpe to put Saints 14-8 up. Talau broke away on 60 minutes to score quickly followed by Fa'asavula, a Hooper try on 68 goaled by Sculthorpe ended the scoring at 28-8. Tries: Saints Albert, Hardman, Talau, Fa'asavalua, Hooper. Goals Sculthorpe 4 . Tries Warrington; N.Wood Goals Noone , Cardiss. attn 8783.

Lee Briers will miss the Saints game after failing a fitness test on his shoulder injury, Paul Cullen has told his squad that the recent illness that swept through the team last week will not be accepted as a reason for a substandard performance against St Helens.

25th June. Round 16 Team News Paul Cullen has named a 20 man side to face Challenge Cup winners St Helens this Saturday, 6.05pm Live on Sky Sports from Knowsley Road. 1. Daryl Cardiss 20. Dean Gaskell 3. Brent Grose 4. Ben Westwood 12. Ian Sibbit 19. Gary Hulse 5. Graham Appo 6. Lee Briers 7. Nat Wood 14. Mark Gleeson 17. Warren Stevens 22. Danny Lima 16. Paul Wood 8. Chris Leikvoll 10. Mark Hilton 15. Jerome Guisset 18. Paul Noone 13. Mike Forshaw 23. Mike Wainwright 11.Darren Burns INJURIES: 2. John Wilshere - strained postural cruicate ligament sustained in Round 11 v St Helens (22/05/04) 9. Jon Clarke - ankle injury - sustained in Round 15 v Castleford Tigers (20/06/04) U21s DUTY: 26. Jamie Durbin 24. Nick Owen 25. Richard Varkulis.

Bevan Unveiled. On what would have been Brian Bevans 80th birthday, the latest tribute to the greatest try scorer Warrington and Rugby of either code has known was finally unveiled to fans and dignitaries alike. The Bevan Wall, made up of over 900 hundred bricks bearing a messages and names of fans of past players is a unique tribue to the great man who graced the Warrington shirt. The tribute wall was the idea of Wolves finance manager Neil Dowson, "When I spoke with Brians daughter Jannette at the launch of his autobiography by Robert Gate I promised that something at the new stadium would be put in place in memory of her father." Jannette Lane gave a heartfelt speech on behalf of her family, recounting many memories of her late father and his times with the club, even saying how her mother had to endure Brian leaving her twice on their honeymoon to train at Wilderspool. The wall is situated on the East side of the main stand at the Halliwell Jones Stadium behind the Brian Bevan statue. High resolution pictures have been taken and will be available online soon for those unable to visit the wall to find their brick.

24th June. Full back Daryl Cardiss has signed a two-year contract extension to tie him to the club until the end of 2006. Daryl joined the club from Halifax in August 2003 as a free agent. The versatile fullback, winger or halfback came through the junior ranks at Wigan before joining Halifax in 1999, proving to be a prolific try scorer at the Shay. He represented Yorkshire in the Origin game in 2001, making the GB train-on squad the same season. Cardiss commented, "My rugby has taken off again since I started playing at Warrington Wolves and I am enjoying it and signing a two year deal has secured my playing future and I am looking forward to being part of what Warrington can offer. It should be exciting times ahead!" Head Coach Paul Cullen, "Three quarters with a genuine pace are few and far between and we are looking forward to working with Daryl to fulfil the massive potential to be a potent offensive weapon."The Cardiss coup has left only four vacancies on Wolves' 20/20 quota for next season. Each Super League club is allowed only 20 players on wages above £20,000. But the Rugby Football League are reviewing the rule and they may let clubs pay 22 players in excess of £20,000 from the start of next season. That would give Cullen scope to bring in up to six new faces for Super League X and he admits to be actively looking to strengthen his squad. New Zealand Warriors winger Henry Fa'afili has been linked with a move to Wolves but Cullen refuses to be drawn into transfer speculation. He said: "The constant speculation linking us with players does the club no favours at all. My policy is that" I will not comment on players until they have signed for us. "If you say that you are after someone and then you don't get them for one reason or another then you -end up looking foolish. You are made to look like you have failed and I won't have that. "But we are actively looking to recruit for next year and indeed this year and once deals are done the Warrington Guardian will be the first to hear about it." Source Warrington Guardian

 

Four of the five players that missed Sunday's Castleford game through injury should be available to play against Saints.Coach Paul Cullen hopes that skipper Lee Briers, loose forward Mike Forshaw and prop/second rower Paul Wood will shake off their respective shoulder injuries in time to play. And he is confident of having utility forward Darren Burns back on board following along lay-off. Burns has not played since injuring his rib at Leeds on May 7 but he was Wolves' 18th man against the Tigers and is hoping to make a return. Winger Jon Wilshere will miss the Saints game with a longstanding knee problem and hooker Jon Clarke is doubtful after twisting his ankle at Cas. But Cullen is confident of giving Saints a run for their money providing that his players take on board the lessons learned from the previous encounter between the two clubs. Wolves played right into Saints' hands at The Halliwell Jones Stadium last month moving the ball wide early in the tackle count and coughing up plenty of possession as a result. and Saints took advantage of Wolves' reluctance to make hard yards down the middle and the 50-20 scoreline represents Wolves' heaviest defeat of the season. Cullen said: "We operated a high profile offensive game against St Helens last time and that needs to be reconsidered. "We went wide too early, too often and you can't afford to do that against world class players. 'We should only look to operate out wide when Saints are on the back foot. Our passes have to stick and we have to be smarter when we try to exploit the openings that Saints have had on their edges all year." Wolves have not won at Saints since January 1994 and Cullen admits that a big task awaits on Saturday, kick-off 6pm. Saints have been in sensational form this season. They have already won the Challenge Cup and they are considered by many to be favourites for the Super League crown. Cullen said: "We will go to Saints with some confidence having won our last two games. "But we will have to play better than we did against Castleford to beat Saints. "There is great scope for improvement.

BEN Westwood is eyeing Warrington Wolves' top try scorer title after bagging his first hat-trick for the club on Sunday. Wolves' try to chance ratio has been dire this season and Westwood's rich vein of try scoring form has been a timely boost. Westwood has bagged five touch downs in his last two games to move level with Brent Grose in Wolves' try scoring stakes and he says that taking chances will be the key to pulling off a shock win at Saints on Saturday. The Knowsley Raiders have been in frightening form this season but Westwood refuses to be in awe. The powerful centre or winger says that all teams are beatable and he is confident of giving Saints a tougher test than the bookies are predicting. He said: "I was delighted to score a hat-trick on Sunday. I have been waiting for that for a long time and it would be nice if I could go on to finish top of the club's try scoring charts. "But individual achievements mean nothing unless the team is doing well. "The team has been doing well in the last few weeks and I feel sure that we'll reach the play-offs again. "We have won our last two games and won them well so we will go to St Helens with a lot of confidence." Westwood added: "Saints are a great side but they are not unbeatable and I'm sure we will give a good account of ourselves. "The fact that they will be without Sean Long and Martin Gleeson will help our cause. But they have quality throughout the squad and we can't afford to waste chances against them. "We have bombed a lot of tries this season and we missed a fair few again on Sunday. "I bombed a couple before I scored my hat-trick and we need to become more clinical as a team. "The way to do that is to keep practicing on the training paddock. If we get it right all the time in training then we will have more confidence when our chances come in games." Westwood, who says he is beginning to get his act together after a slow start to the season, admits to being surprised by the nature of two of his tries on Sunday. Leaping above defenders to collect high bombs is not exactly his forte and Westwood said: "I don't know where that came from. I don't usually score tries like that but I'm not complaining." Source Warrington Guardian by DAVE LAWRENSON.

Brian Bevan was born on this day in 1924.

23rd June. Warrington Wolves would like to confirm that half of their Coaching Staff and players have been suffering from food poisoning, which has resulted in team training being postponed Monday, Tuesday and today Wednesday, as they await team members to recover.

20th June. Castleford 10 Warrington 32. Ben Westwood scored a hat-trick of tries as Wire condemned Super League's bottom club Castleford Tigers to a 32-10 defeat at The Jungle. Wolves winger Westwood was their hero, scoring three times down the right as Warrington step up their push for a top six spot. Ryan Hudson produced a try-saving tackle on Wood, and Westwood twice knocked on with the line open before leaping above Paul Mellor to take Wood's bomb and open his account on 19 minutes. He crossed again five minutes later after Jerome Guisset's run, and two Paul Noone goals gave the Wolves a 12-4 cushion. Warrington prop Mark Hilton was yellow-carded, following a flare-up at a scrum. Jonny Hepworth's cover tackle on Wood eight minutes after the restart proved only to delay a third Warrington try, with Dean Gaskell taking the scrum half's long pass to score at the corner. Noone goaled from the touchline, and Westwood then completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes from Graham Appo's kick. Brent Grose sliced through on the right, and Wood sealed the win with three minutes remaining when he raced in from 30 yards. Wolves coach Paul Cullen said: "I'm very satisfied with the way we went about our business today, especially considering we had four of the (first choice) starting 13 sat in the stands. "There was a great element of control within the Warrington play, that has possibly not been there in some of the games we haven't won so far this season. "Defensively we really aimed up and we forced them into submission. Every time they got good ball and field position, our defence held firm. "There are some signs there that we are coming good - but we need to be with a visit to St Helens next week." Tries: Warrington, Westwood 3, Gaskell, Grose, N.Wood. Goals:Noone 3, Appo. Tries Castleford, Robinson 2, Goals: Godwin. HT 4-10, Attn 6,111.

18th June.Round 15 Team News Head Coach Paul Cullen has named a 18-man side to face Castleford Tigers this Sunday, kick-off 3.30pm at The Jungle. 1. Daryl Cardiss 20. Dean Gaskell 3. Brent Grose 4. Ben Westwood 12. Ian Sibbit 19. Gary Hulse 5. Graham Appo 7. Nat Wood 9. Jon Clarke 14. Mark Gleeson 17. Warren Stevens 22. Danny Lima 8. Chris Leikvoll 10. Mark Hilton 15. Jerome Guisset 18. Paul Noone 23. Mike Wainwright 11.Darren Burns INJURIES: 2. John Wilshere - strained postural cruicate ligament sustained in Round 11 v St Helens (22/05/04) 6. Lee Briers - shoulder injury sustained in Round 14 v London Broncos (12/06/04) 13. Mike Forshaw- shoulder injury sustained in Round 13 v Widnes Vikings (06/06/04) 16. Paul Wood -shoulder injury sustained in Round 13 v Widnes Vikings (06/06/04)

17th June. Paul Cullen has hopes that a win against Castleford at the weekend will kick start the season for the Wire, although it was reported that Wire came through the London game unscathed, it has since emerged that Lee Briers amongst others picked up heavy knocks and is considered doubtful for the game KO 3.30. at the Jungle.The trio must pass stringent fitness tests before being given the all clear to play and the same fate awaits forwards Darren Burns, Paul Wood and Mike Forshaw, who has decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season to take up a full-time 'performance lifestyle advisor' post with the Rugby Football League. Burns has been out of action since picking up a rib injury at:; Leeds on May 7 while Wood and Forshaw missed the London win with shoulder injuries sustained in Wolves' last away game at Widnes. They are rated as possibilities for the Cas clash but winger John Wilshere has been ruled out of the action with a long standing knee problem. Cullen said: "We have to make sure that the ailments and the injuries that beset every club don't get the better of .us. So we will be going to Castleford with the right attitude and we are determined to stand up and be counted. "Castleford are currently at the bottom of the table but they will not be easy pickings. They have a lot of good players who will be desperate to pick up the two points on offer and the Jungle is a very tough place to go. "But, like the London match at the weekend, I consider this to be a must win game. The players rose to the challenge on that occasion and hopefully they will do the same on Sunday." A familiar face will be directing operations for Cas on Sunday. Gary Mercer had two spells in Wolves' pack before leaving to take up a player/coach role at Leeds. He moved to Cas to continue his coaching career and has succeeded sacked head coach Graham Steadman following the club's horrendous start to the season. Rugby League legend Ellery Hanley has been brought in as Mercer's right hand man but the duo have so far failed to turn around Cas' fortunes. The Tigers were trounced 52-8 at Saints in their last outing and Wolves are confident of piling more misery on the crisis club. Cullen said: "I thought that our performance at Castleford last year was the turning point of the season for us. "Cas were in the top six then. They were in good form, had no injuries and were very difficult to beat at home. "They had beaten other sides by 20 to 30 points but we managed to win a very tough battle and our season literally exploded on the back of it. "I hope that history repeats itself but we have to start taking more of the chances that come our way. "I am convinced that the majority of our work is in place. There is nothing wrong with our shape and our structure and we have worked very hard on getting our techniques and tactics right. "We just have to make sure that we finish off the plays that we are working very hard to create." Cullen admits that For-shaw's pending retirement will weaken his squad. He said: "It'll be a huge blow to 2005 but it makes no difference to what we are doing in 2004. "Mike Forshaw came to this club on a one-year contract and I have always known that he planned to retire after that. But Mike has been a fantastic signing for this club and I am sure that he will play to the maximum of his ability in every game that he has left."

PAUL Cullen hopes that he has not reached a cul-de-sac at representative level after turning his back on the international scene to fully concentrate on his head coach duties at Warrington Wolves. He is highly ambitious and he intends to develop his international standing further on down the line. Cullen, who has signed a contract extension to tie him to the Wolves until the end of 2007, said: "For the past five years I've worked all the way through the season, the off-season and the pre- season without a break. "That's while working with the Wales, England and Origin scenes. "That work has been extremely beneficial to me but it's time to take a break from representative Rugby League. "My priorities are my family and Warrington Rugby League club and I do not intend to work through another 12-month cycle without taking a decent break. "I hope that doesn't mean I've reached a cul-de-sac at representative level because I intend to further my career internationally at some point in the future."

16th June The rumour mill reports that The New Zealand Warriors wing Henry Fa'afili looks to be the latest New Zealand international on his way to the Super League. He is believed to have agreed to join Wire for next season.

The Rugby Football League has appointed Warrington's veteran forward Mike Forshaw to advise elite players about their off-field behaviour in the week that Sean Long and Martin Gleeson of St Helens will discover their punishment for allegedly betting against their own team. Forshaw, 34, will be the RFL's performance lifestyle advisor on a part-time basis until he retires at the end of the season, when he will do it full time. "During their careers players face many challenges which range from fluctuations in form to buying a house," he said. "I would definitely have benefited from having someone in this sort of role to turn to during my playing career."

14th June.The Unveiling of the Brian Bevan Wall Thursday 24th June, 2004. K.O: 1.30PM Warrington Wolves would like to invite those who purchased bricks in the Brian Bevan wall to the official unveiling of the Brian Bevan Wall on Thursday, 24 June 2004, which would have been Brian Bevan's 80th birthday, at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Winwick Road, Warrington meeting at 1.30pm by the North/East Stand at the Brian Bevan Statue. The commemorative wall is to be unveiled by Janette Lane, the daughter of Brian Bevan. It is at the East End of the North Stand facing Winwick Road and the entrance to The Halliwell Jones Stadium and the Tesco Extra Store, displaying of bricks engraved with the names and messages of many Warrington Wolves supporters and rugby league fans. The final effect of the wall displays the face of the Warrington Rugby League legend, Brian Bevan. Bevan made his first team debut against Oldham in 1945. His performance in this match saw him sign a three year contract and start what was to be an amazing rugby career at Warrington. He scored a total of 740 tries including a club record of 7 in a match on two occasions once in 1948 and again in 1953. Bevan saw Warrington win a selection of trophies including their first Championship Final success in 1948 beating Bradford Northern 15 - 5, alongside Challenge Cup and Lancashire Cup victories. It was in 1962 that Bevan made his farewell appearance for Warrington in front of a crowd of 16, 478 successfully beating Leigh 29-17, bringing his appearance total to 620 and points scored to 2,284. It is your chance to be part of some of the early history of The Halliwell Jones Stadium and remember a legend in his own right.

12 June. Warrington 42 London 12. A bright start by the Wire resulted in Appo going in after 4 minutes ,firther scores by N.Wood and P Noone and 4 goals from Lee Briers saw Warrington 20-0 up at half time. Warrington came out for the second still dozing and Moran sailed over for a try, goaled by Sykes, 2 Westwood tries and one from Grose all goals by Briers took Wire out to 38-6 Halloran went over when Wire fell asleep Sykes got his second goal to make it 38-12 Kirkpatrick was sin binned for holding down on 74 minutes Paul Noone scored on 77 but missed the conversion .Tries Warrington; Appo, N.Wood, Westwood 2, Grose Noone 2 Goald Briers 7,.Tries London; Moran, Halloran, goals Sykes 2.

11th June. Round 14 Team News A 19-man squad has been name to face the London Broncos 4 pm KO this Saturday for Round 14 of Super League: 1. Daryl Cardiss 20. Dean Gaskell 3. Brent Grose 4. Ben Westwood 12. Ian Sibbit 19. Gary Hulse 5. Graham Appo 6. Lee Briers 7. Nat Wood 9. Jon Clarke 14. Mark Gleeson 17. Warren Stevens 22. Danny Lima 8. Chris Leikvoll 10. Mark Hilton 15. Jerome Guisset 18. Paul Noone 13. Mike Forshaw 23. Mike Wainwright INJURIES: 2. John Wilshere - strained postural cruicate ligament sustained in Round 11 v St Helens (22/05/04) 11. Darren Burns - rib injury sustained in Round 10 v Leeds Rhinos (07/05/04) 16. Paul Wood -shoulder injury sustained in Round 13 v Widnes Vikings (06/06/04) U21s DUTY 26. Jamie Durbin 24. Nick Owen 25. Richard Varkulis .

10th June.WARRINGTON Wolves have set their sights on becoming one of the biggest names in rugby league after star coach Paul Cullen signed a new contract and a lifelong fan took boardroom control. The Warrington Guardian can exclusively reveal that this week has seen major changes at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, with Mr Cullen signing a three-year extension to his current deal and music entrepreneur Simon Moran securing a 73 per cent stake in Warrington's Super League club and new stadium. Seven other directors will stay on the board, but with a significantly reduced share. The 38-year-old former Woolston High School pupil says that it was his moral duty to ensure the club is kept for the fans. He added: "Now that we've got the stadium, I didn't want interests in it to be sold to people who didn't have Warrington Rugby League and the team doing well as their prime motivation. "I thought that if I didn't do it and suddenly it was sold to someone who wanted to take money out or to someone who was not bothered about the playing side then I would have felt I hadn't done my duty as a Warrington fan. "I haven't got any agenda to make any money out of this." And Mr Cullen, fresh from agreeing his extension, said: "The fact that I've signed a three-year extension shows a big commitment on my part and a big commitment on the part of the club. "I'm delighted to have signed and I am also delighted that Simon has had the desire to do what he has done. "There has been a realignment on the share issue and the expertise that we have had from leaving Wilderspool and going into the new stadium is still with us. We have lost none of that talent and that is great news for the club." And Mr Moran, who co-manages bands like Beautiful South and The Coral, said he has given the coach money to spend on boosting the squad for aext season. He added: "We've got to increase the team investment next year and the year after but in a measured fashion. "It's got to be built on solid platforms but with the need to strengthen for next year Paul has been given the tools to do that by a reasonable amount that I think he's okay with. There will be some more the year after." And chief executive Andy Gatcliffe says that now is the time to turn the club into one of the best four sides in the country, just two years after the Wolves narrowly avoided relegation. He added: "It is payback time for the borough of Warrington and we want to do better than we have been doing both for , this season and beyond. Fellow board member and chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency Steven Broomhead added: "Simon has been the hidden hero of the club through the difficult times and it is very positive that a man with such business stature is now owning his home town club."source Warrington Guardian

Business as usual for club, says stakeholder the man who has this week bought a 73 per cent stake in the company which owns Warrington's Super League club and new stadium says the club will continue to run as normal. Lifelong fan Simon Moran did not want to see shares getting into the hands of those who may not have the club's aest interests at heart. So Mr Moran, a Wolves director of six years, has acquired Warrington Sports 3oldings shares from numerous jarties to gain a controlling nterest in the club he loves and he is looking forward to a bright future in his non-executive role. But he will not be getting nvolved in the day-to-day tinning of the Wolves' affairs. Mr Moran, who was born in Varrington and studied at Woolston High School but who tow lives in Manchester, said: In a way, this is like any 'usiness. There are shareholders and there are the executives. Andy Gatcliffe is our chief executive and Lord Hoyle is the chairman. Ultimately, they report to the board of directors who ultimately report to the hareholders. This isn't my main business. I'm very busy doing what I do business wise and so I can't devote a lot of time. The people who are running the club day-to-day are doing a good job."source Warrington Guardian

WARRINGTON Wolves directors are focusing on the second stage of development for the Halliwell Jones Stadium, . The 'world class facility' vision includes raising capacity from 14,200 and year-round use of the pitch through other sports such as football and rugby union. This move follows the directors' confidence being buoyed by this week's shareholdings changes, which they say secures the long-term financial running of the club. Norman Summers, the former chairman of the club and stadium owners, Warrington Sport Holdings, is to head up a small group of the board of directors charged with moving the stadium facility to the next level. Club director Mr Summers says: "We have now placed the further development of the stadium as a priority. "We have a fantastic stadium and the quality of it impresses me as much as anything. But it is only a phase one stadium that is obviously not complete." Andy Gatcliffe, club chief executive, reiterated that these were exciting times at the Halliwell Jones and confirmed that the club was in the final stages of agreeing a deal that will see Bolton Wanderers Football Club move its reserve side in from September. "All the work we have done is coming to fruition," he said. "We have got the first floor of the north stand currently being turned into a community floor with seven educational classrooms. It is far better than Wilderspool where we won a national community award. "In the east stand the primary care trust facility is almost ready and in the West Stand on Dallam Lane there will be a skills centre to train electricians, plumbers and so on," he added. Mr Summers said: "I just know that this facility can be better. We can really make it a world-class facility. There are going to be some constraints as we don't have a big footprint around and there's the Tesco car park. But maybe we can go upwards, who knows? It's very early days. "We are very expansionary in our thinking. We want to be big and take the world in. "All-year round sport kind of makes sense. And in terms of dual sport, I don't see much down side but a lot of potential up side. "We've got to encourage everything as long as the priority is always Warrington Wolves. That was always the driver for the stadium." source Warrington Guardian

PAUL Cullen is hungry for silverware and the prospect of quenching that desire at his hometown club has driven him to sign a three-year contract extension at Warrington Wolves this week. A Wolves trophy triumph would be treasured by Cullen but he knows that there will be no quick fix. Wolves' disastrous showing at arch-rivals Widnes on Sunday highlighted numerous deficiencies in Cullen's Rugby League dynasty. But he believes that the club's future is looking brighter than it has for many years and he says that gradual progression is the key to competing with the high budget super powers of St Helens, Bradford, Leeds, Wigan and Hull. Cullen is convinced that the gulf in financial clout can be diminished over time and he has put his international ambitions on hold to concentrate fully on trying to bring the glory days back to Warrington. He has been a mainstay of the representative scene for the last five years but he said: "I have withdrew and stood down from involvement in the representative scene and I have signed a contract extension at Warrington to keep him at the club until the end of 2007). "So from now on my energy will be put solely into taking this club to the level that it should be at. "To do that we need to create a budget that allows us to compete consistently across the season and across the years at the highest of levels. "That won't happen overnight. The progress has to be constant." Cullen added: "I firmly believe that this club is going in the right direction and I want to be a part of the progression. "My previous break from this club sent the signal out that I want to be a coach that doesn't just have the local tag. My involvement with Warrington is purely my bonus. "I would love nothing more than to bring some silverware to Warrington but there is a down side to coaching my hometown club. "When you live in the same town after the way we performed against Widnes at the weekend then life becomes uncomfortable and difficult. "It was a totally unacceptable performance and I don't want anyone to read anything into the timing of my new contract and the change of ownership which has seen Simon Moran take a 73 per cent stake in the club. "It is not a knee jerk reaction to take attention away from our performance. "This is a part of the club's long term planning and it just so happens that those issues have been finalised in a very uncomfortable week." Cullen looks set to keep faith with the players that flopped against Widnes when fellow struggling side London come to town on Saturday, kick-off 4pm. Wolves have a habit of bouncing back from disappointing defeats and Cullen is confident that the trend will continue against the Broncos. He said: "We beat London earlier in the year and we need to beat them again following our defeat at the weekend. "The team that takes to the field against London, barring any injuries in the week, will be almost the same side that took to the field against Widnes. "We are a side that is carrying a number of individuals at the moment. . "We have misfired in a number of games because we have some senior players out of form and some returning from injury who are well off the pace from last year. "We will not correct that by throwing people away and treating them with contempt and disrespect. We will only do it by nurturing them through the situation. "My policy is to force players back to fitness and to form." Wolves may have second rower Darren Burns available. He is in the final stages of recovery from a rib injury but John Wilshere has been ruled out with his knee problem. There are injury concerns over back rowers Paul Noone and Mike Forshaw. They picked up shoulder injuries against Widnes and half backs Lee Briers and Nathan Wood were also in the wars at Halton Stadium. They were injured early in the game and Cullen believes that their performances, and the dynamics of the team, suffered as a result. Cullen said: "They picked up knocks against Widnes but I expect them both to play against London." source Warrington Guardian

 

6th June.Widnes 31 Warrington 10. Being the eternal optimist I tipped Wire to beat Widnes however nagging doubts set in overnight and my worst fears were realised as Widnes shook off a poor performance at Hull and came good against a Wire side still it would seem basking in the false sunlight of the recent win against Wigan. After swapping penalty kicks Lee Briers made one count and Wire went 2- 0 u,p A Mike Forshaw try and 3 Briers kicks put Wire in front at half time it then went completely pearshaped, Paul Cullen was none to pleased" Desperation took on desire and won hands down, there are a number of players in our squad who should be ashemed , the fight within wasn't there and that's a huge understatement ." " The lack of ambition of a number os senior players is sending alarm bells right through our club." Tries: Widnes, Hughes 2, Royle, Millard, Hay, Goals: O'Neill, 4 Myler, Drop goal O'Neill. Tries: Warrington, Forshaw, Goals Briers 3. HT 8-10 . Attn 8,315.

3rd June.Danny Lima is ready to face Widnes Vikings as an impact player off the substitutes' bench. The explosive Western Samoan prop forward has been intimidating the best of opponents all season and on Sunday returns to Wolves' side after a three-match suspension hoping to make amends for his absence. Wolves' head coach Paul Cullen regards Lima as so important to his plans that he is prepared to change the 17 that destroyed Wigan in order to fit the 28-year-old in. That is despite Wolves' pack knocking the Challenge Cup runners-up out of their stride on Friday. And with French international forward Jerome Guisset also being back to full fitness, the heat is being turned up for pack spots. The only players not available to Cullen for Sunday's 3pm kick-off at the Halton Stadium are second rower Barren Burns and winger John Wilshere, who have not sufficiently recovered from rib and knee injuries. Lima, who has been 'training the house down' while banned for a high tackle against Bradford on April 27, returns to further build up fans' excitement to what is always a spicy affair between the arch rivals. He has been working particularly hard on his tackling technique, which had also caused him suspension problems in Australia before joining Warrington. Cullen says: "He is fully fit and raring to go and I'll probably introduce him off the bench for impact. "While suspended he has been involved in every session we've done plus all the extras that are required. "He's done immense amount of work with the coaching staff on his tackle technique and now he's looking to make amends for his absence. "The suspension did highlight the work being needed on his technique but it is a tackle technique consideration that he has had all the way through his career. "Virtually every suspension he has had has come off right arm movement and that's what Danny and the coaches have been working on. He's very receptive, very responsive, fully acknowledges his mistakes and is determined to put them right." But the player to make way for Lima has not been made clear by Cullen, who has also added Gary Hulse to the squad. He says: "I'm very keen to retain the starting 13 from the Wigan win. Other props are aware of Danny's return but we have versatility in the fact that Paul Wood plays in a number of positions and so does Paul Noone and lan Sibbit. So they're the possible combinations that will allow Danny Lima back into contention." Widnes are not having the best of campaigns. Their first win of the season, however, was a shock success over Warrington at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Good Friday and have won twice since to leave them third from bottom of the table. On Monday Widnes fell to their record club . defeat at Hull, 70-4, and head coach Neil Kelly took the unusual step of letting his players face the music at the club's Press conference on Tuesday. Cullen says: "We read nothing into their current situation as we've been there before. "Widnes' form going into our previous meeting was very questionable, as it is now. But the way they are preparing is not a consideration for us as they have the ability to produce a one-off performance. They've done it once to us this season and we're determined not to let them do it twice." Wolves understand that a win against Widnes would mean a lot to their fans but there are top six implications too. Wolves are currently seventh, two points behind Wigan and three points behind Huddersfield but have played one game more than them. Cullen says: "The squads and the facilities that the current big four have available and I'm referring to Saints, Bradford, Leeds and Hull may be beyond us at this point in the season. "But we're chasing Wigan and Huddersfield and we intend to put pressure on them. To do that we have to win games against sides outside of the top six."

Wolves to face Widnes: Daryl Cardiss, Graham Appo, Brent Grose, Ben Westwood, Dean Gaskell, Lee Briers, Gary Hulse. Nat Wood, Paul Wood, Chris Leikvoll, Jon Clarke, Mark Glee-son, Mark Hilton, Danny Lima, Warren Stevens, Paul Noone, Mike Wainwright, lan Sibbit, Jerome Guisset, Mike Forshaw.

Fans should note that there will be no cash entry on the turnstiles at Widnes. Tickets are available from the club's Wolfware shop for the West Stand, priced £14 for adults and £8 for concessions. Wolf Pack members should exchange voucher F for their free ticket. Alternatively, on the day of the game, Wolves fans can buy tickets at Widnes from the West Stand kiosk.

Matt Sturm has left the club by mutual agreement , Sturm has always been on the fringes of the team and has spent some time on loan at other clubs.

28th May. Warrington 34 Wigan 16. The scoring opened on 5 minutes when Mike Forshaw skipped away from a scrum on the Wigan 20, Lee Briers goaled to make it 6-0 to Wire. On 23 minutes Nathen Wood who had just returned to the field after going off limping with ankle trouble showed a clear pair of heels as he skipped through a Wigan defence that seemed to stand and watch. Mike Wainwright made it 14-0 after Gleave made a break down the wing and Wainwright was on his right to go in for the score Briers added the goal and it was 16-0 at half time. Staight from the Start Nathan Wood broke thought the Wigan defence, scored a try ran down the tunnel and out again ,to be told by ref Ganson not to run through the crowd, Briers goaled to make it 22-0. Five minutes later Smith went over for Wigan farrell goaled to make it 22-6, on 55 minutes Nathan Wood got his hat trick Briers goaled to make the score 28-6, Aspinwall scored a try for Wigan goaled by Farrell, Briers danced through on 70 minutes Biers converted his own try to make it 34-12 Smith got a late try for Wigad Farrell added the two to finish the scoring , Final score Wire 34 warriors 18 10,062 were in attendance. Warrington ;Tries N.Wood 3,Forshaw , Wainwright, Briers .Goals Briers 5. Wigan Tries; C.Smith ,Aspinwall, Smith. golas Farrell 3.

27th May. Wolves go into tomorrow night'sgame against Wigan without John Wilshere and with achange of positions for Graham Appo. Darren Burns, Jerome Guisset (injured) and Danny Lima (suspended) will still be outbut Dean Gaskell returns after a 'dead leg to face his home town club and his cousin Mick Cassidy, Leeds, Terry Newton, Martin Aspinwall and Danny Sculthorpe are all set to boost Wigan's strength although it is not clear whether or not Quentin Pongia will play following his Hepatitis B scare Warrington's three-quarter line flair, finishing and form inadequacies have been clear since losing last season's top try scorer Appo and speedy winger Wilshere early in the season with long-term hamstring and fractured cheekbone injuries respectively. Neither player was fully fit when Paul Cullen handed them their returns in the 50-20 defeat to St Helens on Saturday and it came as a cruel blow when Wilshere collected another injury and had to visit a specialist on Tuesday for a scan on his right knee. Ligament damage was feared but the results showed no tear and Wilshere is only expected to miss one match. Appo, who was also well off the pace against Saints with his leg heavily strapped, will switch from full back to the right wing against Wigan with Gaskell taking over on the left from Daryl Cardiss, who reverts to his accustomed full back role. Head coach Cullen explains today on why he fielded Appo and Wilshere against form Super League team Saints when the pair were not fully fit. He also talks about the players not following his game plan to the letter against Saints. Cullen says that he needs as many of his senior players on the field as possible to get through the current sticky spell. Wolves have only won one of their last eight games but can close the gap on sixth-placed Wigan to two points with a win in tomorrow's match, which kicks off at 8pm at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. He adds: "The fact that Appo wasn't fully fit was the reason why he played at full back against Saints and not on the wing going head-to-head with Darren Albert. "It was a case of trying to 'balance out the pros and cons. Albert is at the peak of his game at the moment and there's an element to protect Appo a little bit by being more out of the line at full back. "Unfortunately, the way the game went against us and Saints scored that avalanche of points from the interceptions, it simply compiled the problems. "We didn't plan to give St Helens the ball. We planned to open them up out wide, which we did, and score tries, which we didn't and we fell over on the back of that. "Cardiss was fitter and sharper to take on Albert than Appo was on the day. "That may spin around this weekend because we've lost Wilshere. He won't play against Wigan on Friday night. "We're looking for some stability although fully accepting we are not 100 per cent fit and 100 per cent game fit. "Gaskell did not play against Saints because he had a thigh strain, dead leg, that he's been carrying for over a month. He simply got banged very heavily in training on Friday. It took a bleed through the Friday and was very sore come game time. "The balance then was considering if Appo's hamstring was better than Gaskell's thigh, and the answer was yes it was on that day. •Gaskell's had a decent week's recovery and should be nearing full fitness by the time the Wigan game comes round." Cullen elected not to use the likes of young back rowers Paul Noone and lan Sibbit In the backs against Saints, as he had in previous games He says "There hace been times when we have had to play second rowers on the wing and in the centres occasionally we can get away with it,but we've done it far too often. The plyyers have lost confidence and I think everyone else has lost confidence in that plan C and D. "We need to have our senior players back on the field so they can gain confidence and the rest of the team can gain confidence from having them back. "You can't re-invent a pre-season once you've lost it through injuries. You have to force the issue and that's what we did with Ben Westwood last year. "He was out for nearly four months with a broken leg. Basically, we just had to rebuild his season day by day, week by week, game by game and finally come good towards the end of the season. "That's a situation that we are well accustomed to and we'll have to do that with Appo, Chris Leikvoll (who also came back from long term injury) and Wilshere when he gets back from his knee strain." Cullen emphasises the need to hold his nerve at the moment, support the players who are out of form or 'doing it tough' with injuries and not allow Saturday's disappointing result detract from the way Wolves want to play their football. He says: "The results aren't going our way and apart from certain aspects of our defence in the St Helens game, there was a willingness to open the game up and look to put Saints on the back foot. "It was the inability to finish that off which caused us problems. "The moment we surrendered ball to St Helens they were merciless. They punished us and it won't alter the way that we go about our business, we just have to make sure we're better at it. "I did tend to think we, in an attempt to expand the game, detracted from our go-forward. "The game plan was not followed to the letter. It went away as and when the passes didn't stick and when fatigue set in Saints scored some very easy points. "It's about holding the nerve at the moment."

Cullen's 18-man squad to face Wigan: Daryl Cardiss; Graham Appo, Brent Grose, Ben Westwood, Dean Gaskell; LM Briers, Nat Wood; Mark Hilton, Jon Clarke, Paul Wood, Paul Noone, Mike Wainwright, Mike Forshaw. Subs from: Mark Gleeson, lan Sibbit, Chris Leikvoll, Warren Stevens, Gary Hulse.

Average attendance at the Halliwell Jones stadium this year is 10,459.

23rd May. Warrington 20 St Helens 50 ; Saints were ahead inside two minutes when Nathan Wood dropped a pass and Paul Sculthorpe's grubber kick bounced up perfectly for Kieron Cunningham to touch down under the sticks. Wood atoned by creating Ben Westwood's equalising try five minutes later, but that was as good as it got for the Wolves. Cunningham was forced off with a hamstring problem, but his replacement Jon Wilkin proved more than adequate, powering over by the posts after 14 minutes. Warrington were attempting to play an expansive game but they paid the price when Sculthorpe intercepted and sent winger Darren Albert over to score. Mike Wainwright grabbed a try from a short kick-off for Warrington before Wire again self-destructed, this time Lee Briers telegraphing a pass and Sean Long intercepting with ease to scamper clear and score. There was worse to come before the break for Warrington as Sculthorpe's delayed pass put Albert over in the corner for a 28-12 half-time lead. It was crucial for the Wolves to score first after the break and they should have, only for Wood to drop the ball in the act of scoring, admittedly under fierce pressure from the indefatigable Sculthorpe. Saints responded almost immediately, Long's grubber kick creating a try for Jason Hooper, but Brent Grose kept Warrington within three scores after a slick handling move. Three ries in six minutes quickly ended any hopes of a comeback as Albert powered home in the corner for his hat-trick, Martin Gleeson weaved his way through a tiring Wolves defensive line and Lee Gilmour hacked forward and collected his own kick to score. The Wolves did grab the game's final try but Jon Clarke's close range effort will be no consolation for a side which is slipping down the Super League table at a worrying rate. Tries Warrington Ben Westwood 7 Mike Wainwright 24 Brent Grose 56 Jon Clarke 76 Goals Briers 2 P.Wood 1 Tries St Helens Keiron Cunningham 2 (try) Jon Wilkin 14 Darren Albert 22 Sean Long Darren Albert 36 Jason Hooper 47 Darren Albert 67 Martin Gleeson 70 Lee Gilmour 74 Goals Long 7 attn 11.328

20th May. The expected return to the side of Graham Appo at full back, John Wilshere on the wing, Ben Westwood at centre and Chris Leikvoll on the substitutes' bench gives Cullen and the team a tremendous boost. Wolves desperately need the points after going seven games with only one win, dropping out of the top six and with having tough games to come at home to Wigan on Friday, May 28 and away to Widnes on Sunday, June 6. Cullen said: "We will need to have all guns blazing because St Helens are the most progressive side in Super League and this comes with the return to to form and fortunes of Keiron Cunningham and Sean Long. This has provided great confidence to a squad that is already very talented."What has struck me the most is the desire of the players to work for the team. The individual genius they possess is simply a bonus to the way they play. "Their star players are prepared to roll their sleeves up and go forward as much as any other player in Super League. The work ethic in their team is the most important factor." That work ethic will be tested by Saints themselves this week as the club have a history of cup final hangovers. Following their last success over Bradford at Twickenham in 2001 they lost their next league game at Leeds 74-16. But if Saints, who still have internationals Sean Long and Martin Gleeson under 'alleged betting' investigations, are fully switched on following their Saturday to Tuesday celebrations and Warrington will be assuming they are Wolves will have to at least match the work ethic of lan Millward's side in order to gain a first success over them in three years. Cullen said: "The circumstances of our opponents are completely irrelevant to us. "They have learnt to overcome whatever difficulty is in front of them and they have managed that very well. "This is a game that is very similar to the Bradford one for us. We cannot simply hope to compete, we have to aim up to win this game, whether it be in the first minute or the last minute and that's the way that we've prepared. "It's a game we're very excited about. We expect a full house, it's live on Sky, we're playing against the best team in the country and against players who are looking for international recognition at the end of the season,Games don't come any bigger than this It's a massive match for us and we've prepared well, we've used the fortnight between games very wisely, we've rested, we've rehabilitated and we've trained exceptionally hard."

Cullen has named a team, the speediest-looking since the opening game of the season, although he added there may be one or two changes before the 6pm kick-off: Graham Appo; John Wilshere, Brent Grose, Ben Westwood, Dean Gaskell; Lee Briers, Nat Wood; Paul Wood, Jon Clarke, Mark Hilton, Paul Noone, Mike Wainwright, Mike Forshaw. Subs: lan Sibbit/Daryl Cardiss, Mark Gleeson/Gary Hulse, Chris Leikvoll/Jerome Guisset, Warren Stevens. Appo (hamstring) and Wilshere (fractured cheek bone) have not played since Warring-ton's win at London on April 4, Leikvoll (torn calf) has been sidelined since the loss at Hull on March 7 while Ben Westwood (swallowed his tongue) missed the last outing at Leeds, when Wolves fielded two second rowers and injured players Brent Grose and Daryl Cardiss in their back line. Darren Burns (ribs) and Danny Lima (suspended) are the only first teamers not available to Cullen although Cardiss and Guisset have muscle 'tweaks' that should be shaken off in time. After all of the injury troubles and the energy-sapping seven fixtures in 29 days during April and May, head coach Cullen is relieved that Wolves still remain on the edge of the play-offs spots. He said: "We're still in the fight and now we must make the opponents pay for what we have been through."

AN extended contract offer is on its way to Wolves full back Daryl Cardiss. If the ex-Halifax player accepts the deal he will become the 16th player on Wolves' 20/20 quota for next season. Each Super League club is only allowed 20 players on wages above £20,000. Wolves' head coach Paul Cullen said: "At the moment we have 15 players on contracts for next year with one offer pending to Daryl. This will mean 16 of the 20 berths being taken. "We have to consider a recruitment policy and also a re-signing and release policy and that will be the next phase."

 

18th May. RD 11 Ticket Information There are tickets available for all stands for the Tetley's Super League IX Round 11 fixture against St Helens on Saturday 22nd May 2004, kick off 6:05pm. There are 100 tickets left for the South Stand for this fixture. The West Stand is reserved for St Helens supporters and the capacity for this match is 3,400 and it will be cash payments on the day, St Helens supporters can purchase tickets for this game from Wolfware in advance if they wish. Tickets will not be sold at Knowsley Road for this fixture due to unforeseen hidden costs. Matchday ticket prices are: Ground: Adult £13.00, Concession £7.00 North Stand*: Adult £18.00, Concession £10.00 East Stand (Unreserved): Adult £15.00, Concession £8.00 *Seating is only available from approximately the 20metre line to the pitch end, due to season ticket holders seating arrangements. Wolfware is open Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm and is situated in the North Stand opposite TESCO. Call Wolfware on 01925 248888.

13th May. Forward Darren Burns has not broken a rib as was first feared. However, the Australian remains doubtful for Warrington's next outing against St Helens on May 22 due to the rib cartilage injury he collected against Leeds on Friday night. Head coach Paul Cullen remains hopeful that Graham Appo, Chris Lelkvoll and John Wllshere will be available to play Saints after long term Injuries and that Daryl Cardlss and Brent Grose, who carried injuries Into the Leeds game, will be fully fit by then too. Cullen .has given his players Saturday and Sunday off but preparations to face Saints have been full steam ahead since Monday. The game at St Helens on June 25 has been switched to June 26, kick-off 6pm.Live on Sky.

Warrington Wolves have teamed up with Energie Health Club of Springfield Street, Warrington, whom have donated their new Academy Foundation league signings with memberships to the town centre club's state of the art facilities to continue their training. Energie Health Club, based in the Old Post Office of Springfield Street, boasts many unique features including 'Life Fitness' Gym, an extensive Aerobics Timetable including 'Body Combat', Yoga, Boxercise, Aerobic, Resistance and Abdominal Classes. The Club also offers Personal Training and a Running Club. The new signings can also enjoy relaxing in the Luxury Jacuzzi or Sauna/Steam Room, have a Sunbed or a Scandinavian Plunge Shower. The Wolves have continued to add to their U16s by signing 4 more players on professional contracts to play in their Foundation League. Danny Colquit, 16, Kevin Penny, 16, Alistair Williams, 16 and Nigel Scott, 16 join the five signed last month - Paul Reynolds, Chris Riley, Martin McMullen, Ben Harrison and Craig White. Danny Colquit comes from St Helens and has played his junior rugby at St Helens RLFC and Pilkington Rec ARLFC; he is a loose forward. Kevin Penny has never played rugby league at amateur level and only started playing rugby league at Padgate High School in Warrington. He plays on the wing. Alistair Williams a centre from Waterhead ARLFC in Oldham has also joined the Wolves U16s. Nigel Scott is a scrum half also from Waterhead ARLFC in Oldham. Nigel also plays his rugby at Count Hill High School who has made it through to the Powergen Challenge Cup U16s Final in Cardiff. Academy Coach Gary Chambers commented on his additional signings, "Danny is an exciting prospect for the Wolves and has played his junior rugby league in the St Helens Junior system. He is a hardworking back rower who has good pace and an intelligent approach to the game. "Kevin is exceptionally fast with outstanding balance and pace. He is a raw talent and has excellent potential. "Alistair is a big strong direct centre with an excellent attitude and is a solid defender. "Nigel is a good reader of the game and has exceptionally good organisational skills which he presents well on the field of play. "All the lads that we have signed on professional contracts to the U16s have been selected for their ability and their desire to succeed, all have an important part to play in the Wolves Junior Academy and I am looking forward to working with each and everyone of them to develop their game and push for the top." The professional contracts that the players have signed enable them to play in the Foundation League with eventual progression to the Junior Academy. The Foundation League is the U16s League, which is a follow on from the U16s Scholarship Programme, it is a four game competition and on completion of that is a pathway to the Junior Academy. The players that have already signed to this scheme are Paul Reynolds, a back rower and Chris Riley a utility player both from Woolston Rovers ARLFC, Martin McMullen, a back rower from Hensingham ARLFC in Whitehaven, Ben Harrison, a forward from Barrow Island ARLFC in Barrow and Craig White, a half back from Rylands ARLFC. Head Coach Paul Cullen commented, "We are delighted to capture these talented young players who's signatures compliment the volume and quality of work we conduct behind the scenes. The production of our own talent through to senior level is on track."source: warringtonwolves.com

7th May. Leeds 23 Warrington 10. A good first half performance saw Warrington go in 8-6 in front with a try and two goals from Lee Briers, Leeds went close from the start of the second half eventually winning 23-10. Tries Leeds Bai 2, Calderwood, Maquire, Goals Sinfield 2, Furner, Drop Goal Sinfield.Tries Warrington Briers , Goals Briers 3. Attd 16,065.

6th May. RD10 Team NewsHead Coach Paul Cullen has named an 18-man side to face Leeds Rhinos tomorrow night: 1. Daryl Cardiss 25. Richard Varkulis 3. Brent Grose 12. Ian Sibbit 20. Dean Gaskell 19. Gary Hulse 6. Lee Briers 7. Nat Wood 16. Paul Wood 9. Jon Clarke 14. Mark Gleeson 17. Warren Stevens 15. Jerome Guisset 10. Mark Hilton 11. Darren Burns 18. Paul Noone 13. Mike Forshaw 23. Mike Wainwright INJURIES: 2. John Wilshere - fractured cheekbone sustained in Round 4 v London Broncos (04/04/04) 4.Ben Westwood - concussion sustained in Round 9 v Huddersfield Giants (02/05/04) 5. Graham Appo - hamstring injury sustained in Round 2 v Hull, tweaked in Round 4 v London Broncos - rested as precaution 8. Chris Leikvoll - calf injury sustained in training prior to the Powergen Challenge Cup Round 5 v Oldham (14/03/04)

Banned Prop Danny Lima has picked up a total ban of 4 matches and a £400 fine, for two seperate incidents. Originally cited for a high tackle in the 22 all draw against the World Champion Bulls and was put on report for a high shot in the Huddersfield match on Sunday. The prop picked up a 3 match ban for his tackle in the Bradford match, with a £200 fine and a further 1 match ban and £200 fine for the Huddersfield game. Lima won't be available for selection until the Round 14 tie against London Broncos on Saturday 12th June. Danny Lima has had the one match suspension for the high tackle against Huddersfield on Sunday overturned on appeal. He he still has the 3 games ban for the Bradford high tackle.

Mike Forshaw, Daryl Cardiss and Mark Gleeson all return for the game at Leeds Rhinos tomorrow, Friday. All three have played important roles in Wolves' start to the season and they were missed when Wolves fell to their second home defeat of the year against Huddersfield Giants on Sunday. It was a defeat that head coach Paul Cullen has been able to take positives from. He reports a good week in training and is pleased by the good news that all remaining injured players - Chris Leikvoll, Graham Appo, John Wilshere and Ben Westwood - are expected to be back on board in time for Wolves' home clash against Challenge Cup finalists St Helens on May 22. Centre Westwood, who scored two tries in a good performance when Wolves played at Headingley, is the only casualty from the Giants defeat. He was concussed and swallowed his tongue after an accidental clash of heads with a Huddersfield defender. It is the availability loose forward Forshaw against one of his former clubs that is key to Wolves' bid to defeat a top four club for the first time under Cullen's reign. Cullen said about his off season signing from Bradford Bulls: "He's a vital cog in the wheel. His experience around the ruck, not only in the work he does individually but in the work he pushes other players to do, was missed, certainly in the dying stages of the game against Huddersfield. seen and I'm delighted that he is back available for this game against the Rhinos." Forshaw missed the Huddersfield clash because of a thigh injury.

The Leeds match kicks off at Headingley at 8pm Friday 7-3-04 and Wolves' squad for the game is: Daryl Cardiss, Brent Grose, Lee Briers, Nathan Wood, Mark Hilton, Jon Clarke, Paul Wood, Darren Burns, lan Sibbit, Mike Forshaw, Mark Glee-son, Jerome Guisset, Paul Noone,Dean Gaskell, Warren Stevens, Mike Wainwright, Gary Hulse, Richard Varkulis and Danny Lima, whose availability depends on the outcome of two 'alleged high tackle' disciplinary hearings at the Rugby Football League headquarters last night, Wednesday. Wolves' clash with top of the table Leeds will be their seventh outing in 29 days, which is almost a game every four days for a month., and to go into the last game of that run still in the top six and with only four narrow Super League defeats to their name is something Cullen is encouraged by. He said: "Of the four games that we have lost, all have been competitive and all have been only by one score Cff-thereabouts. "So we have to utilise the statistic to re-build our confidence and self esteem and not allow ourselves to become the victims of expectation and disappointment. "Although we're very disappointed we didn't win against Huddersfield, we didn't play to the best of our ability because we succumbed to the fatigue. It's not an excuse, it's a simple observation of fact. "We are very confident in our shape and our structures and they will take us forward. "Our aim is to be competitive in every game we play and we've achieved that all the way through. There have been no drubbings. At this point last year we were on the back of some losses that could be argued as having been embarrassing. "So we are an improved side. It may not be reflected in the league table at the moment but we are confident of the work we are doing, we're confident in the structures and that is important."

2nd May. Warrington 20 Huddersfield 26 ,Huddersfield scored two tries in three minutes in the second half to consolidate their top-five Super League spot Huddersfield came out on top in a close and competitive game in which the lead see-sawed between the two teams., Dean Gaskell made it 20-14 to the Wolves in the 49th minute. But Eorl Crabtree and Chris Nero crossed for tries that were converted by Paul March to seal the win. Warrington Tries: Guisset Clarke Gaskell. Goals Briers 3 , Huddersfield Tries: Crabtree Roarty Nero Bailey. Goals March 4. Teams;Warrington Hulse, Gaskell, Westwood, Grose, Varkulis, Briers, N Wood, P. Wood, Clarke, Lima, Burns, Wainwright, Noone. Replacements: Sibbit, Guisset, Hilton, Stevens. Huddersfield;Reilly, O'Hare, Gene, Bailey, Donlan, Costin, Penkywicz, Fleary, March, Gannon, Jones, Roarty, Nero. Replacements: Cooper, Morrison, Smith, Crabtree. HT 14-14, Attd 8,793. Warrington boss Paul Cullen blamed tiredness for his side's late lapses. "We allowed ourselves to be victims of circumstances and succumbed to fatigue in our third game in nine days," he said. "I was proud of our effort against Bradford on Tuesday and we worked hard again but our defence was soft in parts and we are doing it tough."

 

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Peter O'Dea 2004