C Cup R5: Warrington show no mercy

Paul Cullen showed his former club no mercy as Warrington powered into the Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-finals at the expense of National League One outfit Whitehaven by 46-2.

The Wolves chief coached the Cumbrians for two years before taking charge of Warrington in 2002 and admits he still holds much affection for them.

But that goodwill did not extend to the pitch as Warrington enhanced their Challenge Cup credentials in a commanding victory which saw them claim eight tries, seven of which were converted.

Cullen?s men had too much class for a Whitehaven side who harbour genuine hopes of reaching Super League after making a strong start to their league campaign.

Warrington did not hit the heights of which they are capable but having emerged as a serious force in Super League, they have every right to feel quietly confident about the prospect of Challenge Cup glory.

Hull?s gripping 25-24 victory against Leeds in last season?s final has encouraged the likes of Warrington that winning rugby league?s prestigious cup is eminently possible.

And while the Wolves may lack the consistency required to finish above the likes of St Helens and Leeds, they are capable of beating any side in Super League on their day.

They wasted no time in putting Whitehaven to the sword and were ahead after eight minutes when Jon Clarke and Lee Briers combined to send Logan Swann over the line for the easiest of tries.

The in-form Briers added the extras but Whitehaven registered their first points of the game after 15 minutes when loose forward Carl Rudd converted a penalty from 30 metres after Ben Westwood stole the ball.

Barely 60 seconds later Warrington looked to have found the perfect riposte, but Richie Barnett?s touchdown in the left-hand corner was disallowed after Paul Noone?s forward pass had sent him clear. Briers then had a try disallowed but midway through the opening period Warrington did register their second touchdown when replacement Danny Lima?s powerful go-forward led to Michael Sullivan sending Paul Wood crashing under the posts.

Five minutes before the break Great Britain Test centre Martin Gleeson crossed the line for another routine score while Briers kicked his third goal from as many attempts.

Brent Grose powered over the line on the stroke of half-time and Briers again added the extras before the Wolves extended their lead 10 minutes after the restart when replacement Mark Gleeson crossed the line after good work.

Noone landed the goal and Warrington withstood a brief spell of Whitehaven pressure to claim another close-range try through Jon Clarke which Briers converted.

The impressive Briers crossed the line himself after 72 minutes but failed to land the goal after his effort rebounded off a post, before Sullivan sent Clarke over for his second in the last minute.

Briers added the extras to secure a handsome 46-2 victory and leave Warrington fans dreaming of Challenge Cup glory.

Warrington: Reardon, Fa?afili, M. Gleeson, Grose, Barnett, Briers, Sullivan, Wood, Clarke, Hilton, Swann, Noone, Westwood. Replacements: Pickersgill, Grix, M. Gleeson, Lima.

Whitehaven: Broadbent, Calvert, R. Jackson, Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, M. Jackson, Sice, Tindall, McAvoy, Hill, Rudd. Replacements: Walsh, Chambers, Barker, Lebbon.

Warrington (24) 46. Tries: Swann, Wood, M. Gleeson, Grose, M. Gleeson, Clarke, Briers, Sullivan. Goals: Briers 6, Noone.

Whitehaven (2) 2. Goals: Rudd.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)

Att: 4,751