Unforgettable Barcelona trip; Brian Bevan, Harry Bath and Parry Gordon star

We’re delving into the archives to reveal the 150 greatest Warrington Wolves victories, as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Using Guardian headlines, match reports, photographs and cartoons, the countdown continues…

Victory 91

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Catalans Dragons 12 Warrington Wolves 24

Guardian headline: Smith’s boys slay Dragons at Olympic Stadium

THOUSANDS of Wire fans travelled to Barcelona for the first Super League game in Spain and the Warrington Guardian went with them.

Warrington Wolves fans in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

Connor Murphy reported: “Amid all the spectacle and fervour, the passionate outpourings of Catalonian pride, Wolves found their composure to make history in Barcelona.

“A cool, smart second-half display sealed victory in the first game of professional rugby league on Spanish soil, pushing Warrington into the Super League play-off places for only the second time this season.

Chris Bridge dives over for a try for Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“Tony Smith’s team rose to the occasion when it mattered, overcoming serious adversity to score three unanswered second-half tries in front of a raucous crowd of 18,500 at the Olympic Stadium.

Thousands of Warrington Wolves fans cheering on their team against Catalans Dragons inside the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“It was a triumph that, for much of the game, had seemed unlikely.

“Initially, Wolves seemed to wilt under the spotlight, stumbling through an error-strewn first half as they struggled to deal with the magnitude of the event. And what an event it was.

“The sight of around 16,000 people standing as one to belt out the Catalan national anthem was an imposing sight for even the most seasoned professional.

“Under that kind of pressure, Wolves let an early lead slip to trail 12-6 early in the second half.

“Smith’s troops looked ready to succumb to the powerful Dragons, the frustration creeping into their game highlighted when Michael Monaghan appeared to throw a fist at Jean Philippe Baile.

“Second-half comebacks have become a Wolves trademark in recent weeks and Matt King’s try provided the platform for an important win.

Matt King goes over for a try for Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“Sensing the threat, Dragons tried to lash out and Monaghan felt the full force of their physicality when he was flattened by a bone-shuddering hit from Olivier Elima.

Michael Monaghan is flat out on the Olympic Stadium pitch in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“Monaghan could not continue but, in his absence, Wolves certainly could.

“They showed composure and smartness that had been lacking throughout the first 40 minutes to take control of the game.

“Chris Riley’s well-taken try, coupled with a brilliant chase and tackle to stop a Clint Greenshields break, redeemed him for his earlier error and put Warrington into the lead for the first time in more than 50 minutes.

Chris Riley dives over for Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“Fittingly, Jon Clarke’s stunning individual effort was the deciding moment of a special evening.

Jon Clarke’s crunch moment for Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

Celebrations after Jon Clarke’s crucial try for Warrington Wolves against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

“It is on nights like this that you realise the exciting potential that Warrington and the game of rugby league still possess.”

The Warrington Wolves players acknowledge the wonderful support of legions of Wire fans after victory against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

Warrington Wolves head coach Tony Smith acknowledges the wonderful support of legions of Wire fans after victory against Catalans Dragons at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

Warrington Wolves head coach Tony Smith speaks to club owner Simon Moran after victory over Catalans Dragons in Barcelona (Image: Mike Boden)

The Warrington team was: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks, Chris Bridge, Matt King, Chris Riley; Simon Grix, Michael Monaghan, Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Paul Johnson, Paul Rauhihi, Vinnie Anderson, Paul Wood.

Victory 90

Wednesday, April 22, 1953

Warrington 71 Bramley 10

Guardian headline: Cricket season starts at Wilderspool

RECORDS are made to be broken and Brian Bevan and Harry Bath did just that against lowly Bramley.

Bevan scored seven tries, taking him to a club record 66 for the season, while Bath kicked 10 goals, taking him to a club record 156.

And Bath was kicking in the days before kicking tees were invented, when it was even forbidden to take a bucket of sand on to the pitch to assist ball placement.

Jack Steel reported: “All eyes were on Bath and Bevan and each received ovations for record-breaking performances and with a little more luck both would have added still more points to their totals.

“Bevan beat his fellow Australian by a single point and how the crowd enjoyed his unorthodox antics but were full of praise – and showed it – when his tremendous pace left Bramley players in the role of spectators.

“And when it comes to hard grounds wouldn’t it be a reasonable request to allow goalkickers a supply of sand for teeing up the ball? Several times before kicking for goal Bath had to go earth-hunting and it was no easy matter even if the ground had been watered in places.

“As for the game it was generally one-way traffic with even Ike Fishwick showing the slowness of the Yorkshire players’ powers of recovery.

“But while there were frequent handling errors Warrington moved the ball about in grand style with sometimes five, six and even eight men handling.

“The backing up by the forwards and switching the ball from right to left to an unmarked colleague were enterprising methods which should be repeated against stronger teams.

“It was indeed good practice for Warrington players who attempted for the most part to make openings for Bevan to complete.

“That he got seven tries was a tribute to the unselfishness of the rest of the team.”

Brian Bevan on the fly at Wilderspool (Image: Newsquest)

The other Warrington tries – there were 17 in all – were scored by Albert Naughton (2), Ike Fishwick (2), Gerry Helme (2), Alf Humphreys (2), Syd Phillips and Ted White.

The Warrington team was: John Bamber; Brian Bevan, Albert Naughton, Ron Ryder, Alf Humphreys; Ces Mountford, Gerry Helme; Danny Naughton, Ike Fishwick, Harry Bath, Ted White, Syd Phillips, Austin Heathwood. Bevan failed to score in the remaining two games of the campaign but Bath kicked six more goals, extending his club record to 162 for the season.

Victory 89

Wednesday, January 1, 1969

Wigan 18 Warrington 23

Guardian headline: Warrington win a New Year thriller

WIGAN were on a 14-match unbeaten run and undefeated at home all season.

They were the holders of the Mackeson Golden Ball, the season’s big sponsorship prize, and had recently signed the Wales rugby union winger Keri Jones, who scored a hat-trick in this match.

Warrington had sacked their coach, Jack Fleming, two weeks earlier after some disappointing results and replaced him with Joe Egan, the former Wigan and Great Britain hooker.

Jack Steel reported: “Warrington’s new coach, Joe Egan, could not have wished for his team to make a better start in their first game under his guidance.

“Neither could the players or supporters have hoped for such a bright start to the New Year as the Wire made at Central Park on Wednesday when they won a grand game in fine style with a brand of football we would hardly have thought possible judged by their displays in recent weeks.

“Warrington also got a double bonus for they won back the Mackeson Golden Ball.

“A Warrington win seemed highly unlikely on paper – but life is full of surprises.

“It was through an all-round effort that Warrington won but one player who stood out was Parry Gordon.

“He did not figure among the scorers but what a great performance he gave in taking the man of the match award. On attack and defence, he was brilliant.

Parry Gordon was the man of the match for Warrington against his hometown club Wigan (Image: Newsquest)

“There was also a fine understanding between Ken Parr and Barry Briggs. Moved to loose-forward, Briggs often opened gaps from Parr’s flicked passes.”

The Warrington try scorers were Brian Glover, Barry Briggs, Bill Allen, Keith Ashcroft and Jeff Bootle, who also kicked four goals.

The Warrington team was: Willie Aspinall; Peter Hutchinson, Tommy Conroy, Brian Glover, Bill Allen; Peter Harvey, Parry Gordon; Keith Ashcroft, Len McIntyre, Phil Jones, Ken Parr, Jeff Bootle, Barry Briggs.

Unforgettable Barcelona trip; Brian Bevan, Harry Bath and Parry Gordon star

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