Jimmy Lowes’ Barmy Army tear up the champions

6:10am Thursday 7th August 2008

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ANY win against the current Super League and world club champions is pleasing but Saturday night’s success at The Halliwell Jones Stadium against Leeds Rhinos stood out for a quality that has often been maligned.

Defence has been an issue all year but Warrington Wolves’ resistance was so strong that high-scoring Leeds rarely put them in trouble, especially in a second-half dominated by Jimmy Lowes’ men as they made it five wins in a row for the first time since 2005.

Such was the high standard, injured Vinnie Anderson’s defensive strength down the middle was hardly missed due to the competency of Simon Grix at loose forward, while Lee Briers, often targeted as a weak link in the line, had the measure of Great Britain dangerman Keith Senior and even dumped him on his backside on one occasion.

That set the standard as Wolves conceded the least number of points in a game yet under Lowes’ stewardship.

And Wolves were pretty good in attack, too, as they gained their first win over the Loiners since the play-off success at Headingley in 2006.

Pounding forwards Adrian Morley, Paul Rauhihi, Ben Westwood, Rob Parker, Mike Cooper and Ben Harrison helped to lay the platform, with two-try Chris Hicks cashing in.

Hicks, who unusually only managed to kick one goal from five attempts, produced an exquisite display of attacking football from full back, popping up on each flank for two tries in seven minutes after the break.

The best try, though, was scored by substitute Lee Mitchell, who replaced Louis Anderson after he went off in the 25th minute with a broken arm.

There appeared to be nothing on when leggy and deceptively quick Mitchell lit up the stadium as he powered away from Kevin Sinfield and Carl Ablett before backing his abilities to skate around full back Jordan Tansey en route to a stunning 62m individual try, sealing the victory in style.

Wolves’ impressive win, with six Academy products in their ranks against one of the Grand Final favourites, has taken them past last year’s total of 26 points in the Super League table.

No wonder the fans were singing ‘Jimmy Lowes’ Barmy Army’ for the first time after the final hooter.

Match facts.

engage Super League Round 23, August 2, 2008 Warrington Wolves 22 Leeds Rhinos 12.

Wolves: Chris Hicks (2t, 1g); Chris Riley, Martin Gleeson, Matt King (1t), Kevin Penny; Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan; Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke (1t), Paul Rauhihi, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix. Subs used: Lee Mitchell (1t), Rob Parker, Mike Cooper, Ben Harrison.

Rhinos: Jordan Tansey; Lee Smith, Carl Ablett, Keith Senior, Ben Jones-Bishop; Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow; Kylie Leuluai (2t), Matt Diskin, Jamie Peacock, Gareth Ellis, Ian Kirke, Kevin Sinfield (2g). Subs used: Nick Scruton, Ali Lauitiiti, Simon Worrall, Eric Anselme.

Referee: Steve Ganson.

Scoring: Harrison loses the ball and in the next set Leuluai crashes over from Burrows’ pass, 33mins, Sinfield converts, 0-6; Mitchell breaks clear and feeds Hicks to put King over in the left corner, 40mins, 4-6; Wolves run the last tackle with Morley busting tackles from Kirke and Leuluai before handing off Sinfield and firing out a pass for Clarke to race home, 45mins, Hicks converts, 10-6; Smith’s dubious knock on at a play-the-ball gives Wolves possession and they cash in with Clarke, Briers, Monaghan and King combining to put Hicks over in the left corner, 51mins; 14-6; Penny’s 40m burst from Westwood’s offload leads to Briers and Gleeson feeding Hicks for a score in the right corner, 58mins, 18-6; Mitchell accepts a pass at first receiver and evades Ablett and Sinfield before rounding Tansey to score from 62m, 67mins, 22-6; Leuluai crashes over again, 81mins, Sinfield converts, 22-12.

Pens: Wolves 6 Rhinos 5.

Scrums: Wolves 5 Rhinos 6.

Attendance: 9,150.

Warrington Guardian top men: Morley 3pts, Westwood 2pts, Hicks 1pt.

Interesting note: Wolves have not had a five-figure attendance for a home match since the home defeat to St Helens in April.