Super League: Warrington 32-4 Bradford Bulls

Warrington stretched their winning run against Bradford to nine games with a comfortable victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Centre Simon Grix claimed two tries for Wire, but a superb effort from Joel Monaghan after catching Richie Myler's cross-kick was the highlight.

Tries in the last nine minutes from Chris Hill, Ryan Atkins and Grix gave a flattering look to the final scoreline.

Adrian Purtell scored for the Bulls midway through the first half.

Warrington were without a host of big-name stars including Lee Briers, Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell, Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge, giving Super League debuts from the bench to Danny Bridge and Glenn Riley.

Winger Jamie Foster was ruled out with a shoulder injury for the Bulls, while Ben Evans, on loan from the Wolves, started on the bench.

The home side were ahead after just two minutes when Grix crossed for the opening try, and they increased their lead when Stefan Ratchford's inch-perfect kick was pounced upon by Ben Currie.

A spell of Bradford pressure saw Purtell reduce the deficit, but Warrington claimed a crucial try two minutes before half-time when Brett Hodgson's superb pass gave winger Riley the space to sprint down the touchline and squeeze over in the corner.

Monaghan's superb try stretched the lead to 18-4 and their late three-try blitz saw the Wolves home.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Warrington coach Tony Smith:

"To concede just four points in a Super League game and against a top-eight side is pretty good going. The try we did concede came after 21 tackles in a row.

"Today showed the grittiness we have had had in the past and we have been working hard on that aspect of our game so that was pretty pleasing.

"Bradford are a hard-working team and were never going to give us any free passages, but as a team we felt if we were patient and didn't panic about the scoreline or the conditions or amount of defence we had to do we would be ok."

"There were some really excellent plays within the game and I love watching those sorts of plays like most people do.

Bradford coach Francis Cummins:

"I thought we probably lacked a little composure and missed some opportunities but the effort was there again but you need more than effort to beat the bigger teams.

"Teams like Warrington have definitely got the experience that I can't give to my team just yet but you have to deliver it on the day against the bigger teams.

"I'm frustrated we lost our way a bit and a little annoyed with our composure and not sticking to what we wanted to do but all credit to Warrington.

"We had some opportunities when we took three or four wrong options and they got a roll on which made the difference."

SUNDAY'S LINE-UPS

Warrington: Hodgson; C Riley, Grix, Atkins, J Monaghan; Ratchford, Myler; Cooper, Higham, Hill, Waterhouse, Westwood, Currie.

Replacements: M Monaghan, Wood, D Bridge, G Riley.

Bradford: Kearney; Kear, Purtell, Lulia, Platt; Sammut, Gale; Scruton, L'Estrange, Manuokafoa, Bateman, Whitehead, Walker.

Replacements: Diskin, Addy, Evans, Sidlow.

Attendance: 10,901.

Referee: Phil Bentham (RFL).