Warrington crush York to boost top-two hopes

Betfred Super League

Warrington (18) 30

Tries: Thewlis, Stone, Irwin, Walker, Lindop Goals: Irwin 5

York (10) 10

Tries: McShane, Bennison Goals: Bennison

Warrington Wolves' teenage sensation Ewan Irwin dazzled as Sam Burgess' men beat York Knights at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to turn up the heat in the race for a top-two finish.

Irwin, 18, scored one try and kicked five goals to give notice of the half-back's growing potential as Warrington edged past Wakefield Trinity on points difference into third and they now sit just four points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos.

Josh Thewlis, the returning Sam Stone, Danny Walker and Arron Lindop scored Warrington's other tries in what was the first of three games they will play in 10 hectic days.

York twice took the lead in the first half, with Paul McShane and Jon Bennison scoring for Mark Applegarth's men, before Warrington silenced them.

Warrington want home advantage in the play-offs, having won 10 of their past 11 games at the Halliwell Jones, and Tuesday's showdown with fifth-placed Hull KR is mouthwatering.

Cody Hunter created York's opening try after just two minutes when Sam Wood touched back his kick for Bennison to pass inside for McShane to crash over.

In an entertaining clash, Thewlis then pounced on a loose pass to beat three tackles and score a superb converted solo try to give Wire the lead.

Back came York to retake the lead on 19 minutes when Hunter played a super grubber kick through for Bennison to take advantage of hesitation by Warrington to touch down for a converted try.

Warrington showed their class and Stone, who was back after three months out injured, grounded the returning George Williams' kick before Irwin played a dummy to create a gap before charging over to put the home side 16-10 ahead in the 33rd minute.

The teenager then kicked a penalty before half-time to increase Warrington's advantage.

York were tiring and Wire sensed their opportunity, running a penalty after 51 minutes with hooker Walker spinning round to score with Irwin adding the two points.

Irwin was denied a second try when he picked up a loose ball to run 60 yards to score, but the video referee disallowed the score for a knock-on by James Bentley.

York's resistance ended when Hunter was denied a breakaway try when he was ruled offside and 60 seconds later in the 66th minute, Williams kicked for Albert Hopoate to knock the ball inside for Lindop to crash over.

The Betfred player of the match Irwin kicked his second penalty in the final minute to crown his glorious night.

Warrington head coach Sam Burgess told Sky Sports:

On the top two race: "Yeah, we're going as high as we can. We're aiming for the top.

"It's job done. I thought it was a risky night. We had three players coming back from injury and we were a little bit scrappy with the ball. Defensively, we weren't as physical as we could have been, but we're happy to get the two points."

On player of the match, Ewan Irwin: "He's a great kid, he's very balanced. He's got talent, we can all see that. But his greatest attribute is he's a wonderful person. We're all going to see him over the next couple of years."

York head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:

"I thought we started brightly. I thought we started full of energy and then Warrington showed their class.

"We spoke at half-time if we tidied up the rucks, we were full of confidence that we could take our chances.

"I think the story of that second half is probably execution and composure. I thought we had enough chances, but the difference is, and why they are where they are in the league and why we are where we are, is they took their chances and we didn't.

"That's the next level we talk about and that we need to get to."

Warrington: Thewlis; Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams (c); Irwin, Thomas, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie.

Interchanges: Holroyd, Sipley, Crowther, Wood; Hayes.

York: Mata'afa; Bennison, Wood, Williams, Nofoaluma; Hunter, McShane; Martin, Inman, Va'a, Dee (c), Field, Hingano.

Interchanges: Balmforth, Vaughan, Thompson, Foster; Buchanan.

Referee: Tom Grant.