February 2008
29th February. Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20-man squad to face Catalan Dragons in Round 4 of engage Super League XIII at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday, Kick off 3.00pm. Also SKY have confirmed Warrington Wolves Bank Holiday Monday clash on 26th May with Castleford Tigers will kick off at 7.30PM
1.Stuart Reardon
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Matt King
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12.Ben Westwood
13.Vinnie Anderson
14.Mark Gleeson
15.Rob Parker
16.Paul Wood
17.Paul Johnson
18.Steve Pickersgill
20.Chris Riley
21.Andy Bracek
Not Selected 19. Simon Grix - Injured 22. Ben Harrison 23. Michael Cooper 24. Lee Mitchell 25. Chris Bridge - Injured 26. Matty Blythe
28th February. Stuart Reardon, Paul Wood and Matt King are all expected to return to action this weekend as Wire face the Catalans at The Halliwell Jones Stadium ko 3pm.Cullen said: "Their injuries originally were that serious that they were career-threatening injuries. "Paul Wood had his third reconstruction on the same shoulder and Stuart Reardon actually had four tears in the same shoulder. It was a complete shoulder blow-out. "The dressing room after that game were absolutely sickened. "It was a sickening body blow to the entire team, to the players, the coaching staff and medical staff - he was in that much distress. "We're going to be pleased on a personal level when Stuart actually gets back on the field. "We travelled over to watch the under 21s at Hull Kingston Rovers and it's really pleasing to see Stuart Reardon back in a Warrington kit and back playing." Cullen says it is best that Reardon returns at full back -the position he is most comfortable in - so Chris Hicks will move back to the right wing and restart his partnership with Martin Gleeson. Cull expects Matt King (calf) to return, so Vinnie Anderson should go to loose forward in the absence of Simon Grix and Paul Johnson is likely to come off the bench to play in the second row.
25th February. Grix carried off after being hit by Stanley Gene.Wolves do not think the former Halifax man has broken any bones but said there could be some ligament damage and further tests will have to take place. Wolves' head coach Paul Cullen said: "His ankle's not looking too good. "He was hit very heavy and high. "The ankle collapsed underneath him when he hit the floor. "We're pretty concerned about him at the minute."
24th February. Hull KR 28 Warrington 29. A late drop-goal from Michael Monaghan helped Warrington earn a narrow victory over Hull KR. The first half belonged to Warrington with tries for Martin Gleeson, Paul Johnson and Ben Westwood and two from Chris Hicks. The home side fought back in the second half with Ben Cockayne, Ben Fisher, Kris Welham and Daniel Fitzhenry going over and four goals from Scott Murrell. But Monaghan's effort with six minutes to go ultimately proved crucial.BBC
Warrington coach Paul Cullen "We were 28-0 up and completely and utterly in control. We then conceded five back-to- back penalties and spent the last 10 minutes of the first half defending our try-line. "To go in 28-4 up at half time was a very fair reflection but to say we are not happy with the penalty count is the understatement of the season. It was seven against us in the first half and six in the second. "We are completely in charge, then the back-to-back penalties came and the pace went out of our game and when we are playing fast we are looking good, when we are not we are not."
Hull KR: 28 (4) Tries: Jake Webster, Cockayne, Fisher, Welham, Fitzhenry Goals: Murrell 4 Warrington: 29 (28) Tries: Martin Gleeson, Hicks 2, Johnson, Westwood Goals: Briers 4 Drops: Monaghan
Hull K R: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, J. Webster, Steel, Fitzhenry, J. Webster, Vella, Fisher, Aizue, Newton, Galea, Murrell. Replacements: Crossman, Mills, Gene, Cockayne. Warrington: Hicks, Johnson, M. Gleeson, V. Anderson, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, Westwood, L. Anderson, Grix. Replacements: M. Gleeson, Bracek, Parker, Harrison. Attn 8,704
23rd February. Coach Paul Cullen has named his 18-man squad to face Hull KR in Round 3 of engage Super League XIII at New Craven Park on Sunday, Kick off 3.00pm:
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12. Ben Westwood
13. Vinnie Anderson
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Rob Parker
17. Paul Johnson
19. Simon Grix
20. Chris Riley
21. Andrew Bracek
22. Ben Harrison
Not Selected 1.Stuart Reardon - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February. 4. Matt King - Injured, calf tear v St Helens, 15/2/08. 16. Paul Wood - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February. 18. Steve Pickersgill - Suspended for this match following RFL Disciplinary on Tuesday evening (Grade C offence committed V Hull 8/2/08, 2 match suspension) 23. Mike Cooper - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February. 24. Lee Mitchell - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February. 25. Chris Bridge - Injured, Achilles Tendon Rupture v St Helens, 15/2/08. 26. Matty Blythe - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February.
22nd February.Harry Bath and Brian Bevan have both been enrolled into the top 100 Austarlian Rugby League players.
21st February King out..Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20-man squad to face Hull KR in Round 3 of engage Super League XIII at New Craven Park on Sunday, Kick off 3.00pm:
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12. Ben Westwood
13. Vinnie Anderson
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Rob Parker
17. Paul Johnson
19. Simon Grix
20. Chris Riley
21. Andrew Bracek
22. Ben Harrison
23. Mike Cooper
24. Lee Mitchell.
Not Selected
1.Stuart Reardon ' Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February.
4. Matt King ' Injured, Calf tear v St Helens, 15/2/08.
16. Paul Wood - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February.
18. Steve Pickersgill 'Suspended for this match following RFL Disciplinary on Tuesday evening (Grade C offence committed V Hull 8/2/08, 2 match suspension)
25. Chris Bridge ' Injured, Achilles Tendon Rupture v St Helens, 15/2/08.
26. Matty Blythe - Reserves v Hull KR (A), Saturday 23 February.
.Paul Cullen is hopeful that Matt King will play against Hull KR on Sunday, He said: "We're very hopeful he'll come through this week and play. "If not, we're certainly looking at a return against Catalans Dragons the following week. "It's a short-term injury rather than a long-term one." Michael Monaghan's injury was no worse after the Saints game.Chris Hicks is expected to stay at fullback, Cullen said "He didn't go to Lanaarote with us during pre-season because his wife was expecting to give birth, so I don't think we've seen anywhere near his full potential as yet. "He's getting fitter and more confident with every training session." : "I think he's going to\be a gem for us. "He was very good as a winger in round one of Super League and very good as a full back in round two. "Chris had a serious operation on an ankle at the end of last season and he's not had the most efficient and fluent pre-season. "He was not allowed to run for a considerable period yet he still shows great speed and agility."Wolves' head coach said: "I feel we need to be as big and strong as we can be out wide because Chev Walker and Jake Webster are no shrinking violets and we've got to be able to defend that."
Tickets on sale to Warrington fans at Wolfware are for the North Stand, the away end, which has temporary seating. Prices are £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and £9 for juniors. Wolf Pack members need to exhange their ticket at the point of sale. Tickets will be available until Saturday 2pm, subject to availability.
19th February. Eleven players from the Wires under 16s squad have signed to join the club's Junior Academy .Josh Crowley, Joe Clarke Jordan Burke, James Mendeika, James Laithwaite, Greg Hamilton, Gareth O'Brien, Mike Reid, Liam Hulme and Anthony Whelan will all make the step up to the under 18s squad after being offered part-time contracts with the club.
18th February. Warrington Wolves can confirm Chris Bridge has suffered a rupture of the Achillies Tendon in last Friday's Super League fixture at St Helens and will go under the surgeon's knife on Thursday. A further announcement will be made to confirm the length of Bridge's rehabilitation period. Matt King, who also left the field with a calf tear during the Wolves 30 ' 22 defeat at St Helens, will spend the week in the Hyperbaric Chamber in an attempt to be fit for Sunday's trip to Hull KR. King will be joined in the chamber by Michael Monaghan(Hamstring) who is also rated as doubtful for Sunday's clash.
16th February. St Helens 30 Warrington 22 A great first half last night then we dropped off., and St Helens ran in three tries in the space of nine second-half minutes to clinch the game, Saints hammered the Bracek Penny wing and they were found wanting the scoring spree only stopped when Vinnie Anderson was moved over.
Scores St Helens: (8) 30 Tries: Roby, Gardner 2, Clough, Tyrer, Meli Goals: Tyrer 3 Warrington: (14) 22 Tries: Hicks, Martin Gleeson, Briers, Johnson, Penny Goals: Briers .Attn 13,396
Coach Paul Cullen: "The game changed on the Matt King injury. "I think Saints were very smart and set Matt Gidley right through on to Andy Bracek until Vinnie Anderson came into that left-centre position. "Until the final set of the game it's five tries apiece, so I think we deserve some credit for that."
Teams. St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Tyrer, Meli, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Roby, Graham, Gilmour, Bennett, Flannery. Replacements: Cunningham, Hargreaves, Clough, Frodsham. Warrington: Bridge, Hicks, M. Gleeson, King, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L. Anderson, Westwood, V. Anderson. Replacements: M. Gleeson, Parker, Johnson, Bracek.
CHRIS Bridge could be sidelined for the rest of the season. Wolves' full back left the field with a suspected ruptured Achilles' tendon at Knowsley Road. He will need further tests before the full scale of the damage is known.
15th February.Well I got the Harrison bit wrong 18 man declaration is as follows, St Helens in Round 2 of engage Super League XIII at Knowsley Road on Friday, Kick off 7.30pm:
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Matt King
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12. Ben Westwood
13. Vinnie Anderson
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Rob Parker
17. Paul Johnson
19. Simon Grix
21. Andrew Bracek
25. Chris Bridge
Warrington Wolves have signied a lucrative one-year sponsorship deal with Vestas ' the world's leading supplier of wind power solutions.Dave Hutchinson, Director of Commercial Development with the Wolves, said: "This deal demonstrates Vestas' commitment to the local community and club, and it's a great fit for the team." Warrington's star players - Matt King and Jon Clarke jumped into a powerful, high-tech wind machine usually used to test aeroplane parts to experience 45 mph of wind, the speed at which a Vestas machine produces full electrical power. Matt said, with his tongue in cheek: "I've been looking for a new hairdryer for a while now and that was a real blast, but I still think I might need something a bit more powerful."
13th February. Forward Steve Pickersgill will miss Friday's derby with St Helens after being handed a two-match ban and a £300 fine for a reckless tackle. I expect Ben Harrison to replace Steve.
12th February.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20 man squad to face St Helens in Round 2 of engage Super League XIII at Knowsley Road on Friday, Kick off 7.30pm:
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Matt King
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12. Ben Westwood
13. Vinnie Anderson
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Rob Parker
17. Paul Johnson
18. Steve Pickersgill
19. Simon Grix
20. Chris Riley
21. Andrew Bracek
25. Chris Bridge
8th February.extra. Warrington 32 Hull12 . Matt King and Michael Monaghan made impressive debuts as Warrington survived a brave Hull fightback to win.Early scores by Chris Bridge and Chris Hicks put Warrington ahead before Craig Hall bagged the visitors' first try.Vinnie Anderson restored the Wolves' lead before King's superb debut try, but poor marking by Kevin Penny let in Hall to score his second try.Ben Westwood added another before Bridge's second secured the win. Graeme Horne pulled one back for Hull late on.Bridge nipped over in the right-hand corner for Warrington's first try, after Martin Gleeson's dummy run carved open the Hull defence.Adrian Morley was denied a second try as Motu Tony stripped the ball from his grasp as he went over the line, but Hall's knock-on as Hull tried to clear the danger handed possession back to Warrington.And they took advantage as a slick handling move put Hicks over again in the corner.Hull put themselves back in the game when Hall jogged in unchallenged to score after Bridge lost his footing as he went to gather Danny Washbrook's long kick.Anderson's nimble footwork put him on the scoresheet before King opened his Warrington account, running half the pitch to score after Penny's burst of electrifying pace.Westwood stretched the Wolves' lead just after half-time after fine work by the impressive Monaghan, but the game struggled to regain its first-half momentum in the second period.The longer the game continued without Warrington scoring again, the more Hull seemed to take heart.But with just five minutes left, Paul Rauhihi bulldozed through the defence to put Bridge in for his second try and to seal the win.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen: "A win's a win but I'm a bit disappointed that the opening game was littered with so many penalties. "When we injected some speed and some fluency in our game, we looked dangerous and the guys are reasonably pleased with what they have delivered. "But we certainly won't be getting carried away."
Warrington:Tries: Bridge (2), Hicks, V Anderson, King, Westwood.Goals: Briers (4).Hull: Tries: Hall (2), Horne Goals: Tickle (4).
Squads Warrington: Bridge, Hicks, M. Gleeson, King, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L. Anderson, Westwood, V. Anderson. Replacements: M. Gleeson, Parker, Johnson, Pickersgill. Hull: Tony, Byrne, Hall, Berrigan, Williams, Washbrook, Lee, Cusack, Houghton, Carvell, Dowes, Manu, Tickle. Replacements: King, G. Horne, Dale, Briscoe.Ht 20-14 attn 11,026
8th February.As at mid day today (Friday) the Prime Time Recruitment South Stand has totally SOLD OUT.There are still tickets available for the Lloyds TSB West Stand for both home and visiting fans, with cash being accepted on the turnstile.
The North Stand and Martin Dawes East Stand still have tickets available for those fans wishing to sit.
Tickets are available from the Wolfware club shop until 5pm and from the Ticket Office windows from 5pm onwards.
Don't miss out on what promises to be a tough, exciting, big hitting opening round for the Wolves in engage Super League XIII.
North Stand
Adult £24
Concession £16Martin Dawes East Stand
Adult £19
Concession £12Lloyds TSB West Stand
Adult £17
Concession £11The Directors lounge at the Halliwell Jones Stadium has been officially re-named in honour of rugby legend Mike Gregory as 'The Mike Gregory Lounge". The Lounge was officially opened by Erica Gregory and her two boys Sam and Ben Gregory. "I want to thank everyone in Warrington for this wonderful gesture. It helps keep Mike close to us and appreciate what an exceptional person he was, Mike had such a deep affinity with this club." Erica was presented with a bunch of flowers along with Mike's mother Jean who was present at the ceremony. Club captain Adrian Morley was on hand to present Mike's two sons Ben and Sam with unique Wolves shirt's bearing the name 'Gregory' on the back. Stadium Manager Bernie Lenihan prepared a special display for the lounge which featured tributes left by supporters at the Brian Bevan Statue. Bernie's son Michael Andrew Gregory Lenihan had the honour of handing of the Wolves book of condolence to Erica and family.
7th February.Source BBC Sport.Article by By Phil Harlow & Phil Gordos.
Kevin Penny hopes to have a few "tricks up his sleeve" as he looks to bamboozle opposition defences again this season. The ultra-quick Warrington winger, 20, is a marked man in 2008 after scoring 12 league tries in 2007 to earn a place in Super League's Dream Team. But he told BBC Sport: "Some people think taking people on the outside is all I can do, but hopefully I can show them that there's more to my game. "I want to have a few tricks up my sleeve and I have been working hard." Penny is rated as one of the most exciting young talents in the country, with his electric speed earning him comparisons with Martin Offiah. The Wigan legend is a fan of Penny himself and hopes the youngster can continue his meteoric rise. "It has been a while since I'd seen a player with genuine pace," Offiah told BBC Sport. "I saw him score a try against St Helens in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals last year. Not many people can beat Paul Wellens for pace the way he did." But Offiah also had some words of warning for his fellow speedster. Matt is one of the best centres in the world... I feel like I've learnt loads off him in a few days of training Kevin Penny "To have the ability is one thing. For him to go on now and build a career, expand his game and score tries will be hard," said the 41-year-old.
"His coach, Paul Cullen, is going to have to manage him well. Once everyone knows you, it takes a lot of dedication to become a great player." Penny agreed with Offiah's assessment, but said he was not worried about living up to his star billing. "Second-season syndrome isn't really something that worries me too much," he said. "I just look at it as a challenge. You have got to study the game as you go along. That's one of the lessons I learned." Second season or not, Penny should see plenty of ball in 2008. The signing of highly-rated Australian Matt King will give him the opportunity to play outside one of the sport's leading lights. Warrington centre Matt King will add real quality to Warrington's backline "Matt is one of the best centres in the world," said Penny. "I feel like I have learnt loads off him in a few days of training, so what we could be able to achieve in a few months of playing together could be amazing. "I feel like we are on the same wavelength. He has told me what he expects from me and vice-versa, so that has laid the foundations" When you listen to Penny talking about his amazing rise to prominence, you almost wonder why every player doesn't follow his example.
. "It was just one thing after another," said Kevin "One minute I was in the academy team. "Then I made my first-team debut and scored a few tries and got compared to some absolute legends. Then I got called up into the Great Britain squad. "It's quite amazing because everything happened so fast. I definitely surprised myself with how well it went. But sport is all about taking your chances, and I believe I did that." Penny was a relatively late convert to rugby league after spending much of his youth playing basketball, which is a sport he still loves. "I try to watch as much NBA on TV as possible and I go over to my Nan's to watch the college basketball as well," said Penny. Basketball legend Michael Jordan is one of basketball's all-time greats "Michael Jordan was my hero when I was growing up. I've got loads of DVDs of him in his prime and I am always watching them. He was awesome. "I do occasionally miss playing basketball, but I don't regret my decision to pick rugby league." Penny enjoyed a taste of the international scene with a call-up to Britain's training squad for their 3-0 series whitewash of New Zealand, but Lions coach Tony Smith ultimately decided that the Test scene was a step too far. Nevertheless, Penny has set his sights on a place in England's squad for the World Cup at the end of the season. "The World Cup is massive motivation for me," he said. "I was disappointed to be left out against New Zealand, but Tony had his reasons for not picking me and I respect his decision. "We had a good chat and he explained what I need to do to achieve my goal of being in the World Cup squad. Being left out has made me even more motivated. "It was an eye-opener in terms of the standard required. Good performances will get me back there, but it's producing those week-in, week-out that will really take me on a level." And Offiah is urging fans to savour Penny while they can. "Players like myself, Jason Robinson and Kevin Penny don't come around every day, so you should enjoy them while they're there," he said.
6th February. Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20 man squad to face Hull FC in Round 1 of engage Super League XIII at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday:
2. Chris Hicks
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Matt King
5. Kevin Penny
6. Lee Briers
7. Michael Monaghan
8. Adrian Morley
9. Jon Clarke
10. Paul Rauhihi
11. Louis Anderson
12. Ben Westwood
13. Vinnie Anderson
14. Mark Gleeson
15. Rob Parker
17. Paul Johnson
18. Steve Pickersgill
19. Simon Grix
20. Chris Riley
21. Andrew Bracek
25. Chris Bridge
Not Selected
1. Stuart Reardon - Awaiting clearance following shoulder surgery. 16. Paul Wood - Awaiting clearance following shoulder surgery. 22. Ben Harrison - Reserves
1st February. Cull hoping for a better 2008.The Wolves boss said: "I think it was a very difficult year and one that we proudly came through. If there was anything in that year, it was that we didn't buckle. We kept getting knocked down and getting back up. "I thought we had a genuine chance last year if we could have kept the players healthy and injury free. It stole the season. "But we don't want to spend too much time looking behind, we'd just like that if there is any good fortune going out there, for us it needs to be on the injury front. "As always we never make our goals for the season public. The bottom line is we aim to work hard and we aim to improve. advertisement "We simply want to improve and above all stay healthy and have a fair shot at it. "The bottom line is if we stay healthy we have a reasonable chance like most teams."Cull was speaking to the Warrington Guardian
Hull Ticket Update Tickets for the home opener against Hull FC on Friday 8th February are selling well, with new recruits Matt King, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Louis Anderson all looking to make their engage Super League debuts. The Wolves will be looking for an opening night victory to set their season off on a high note, equally the black and whites will be hoping for two points as both sides push for early League positions. Click here for Hull FC Tickets Tickets for the Millennium Magic event in May are now also on sale in the Wolfware shop, with a 50% discount again being offered to season ticket holders. Tickets for the Wolves first away game against St Helens at Knowsley Road on Friday 15th February are now also on sale: Ground Adult £16 Ground Concession £10 Junior Voucher "A"