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Always Their Year?! Warrington Wolves 2019 Season Review

The oldest question in the game perhaps. Will it ever be their year?! It always is. Well 2019 could very well apply as Warrington did not walk away from 2019 empty handed.

They managed a fourth Challenge Cup to their name in just over ten years, bringing back some overdue glory to Cheshire after several years in the wilderness.

Achieved by smart purchasing as well as excellent development of players via the coaching staff, Warrington meant business in 2019 as they were one of the teams to beat throughout the season.

Certainly one to remember as we look back at another historic season for the club.

 

Best Result: St Helens 4-18 Warrington Wolves

They recorded some much heavier victories but a win at Wembley against old enemies St Helens is too famous to topple.

Warrington’s history of meetings in the summer era against the Saints has been unbearable over the years but left all those memories behind them on a day to remember down in London.

The match started controversially with Morgan Knowles’ early disallowed try for the Saints, despite replays showing what looked a clear grounding and from there, the Wolves capitalised.

Joe Philbin and Ben Murdoch-Masila crossed for tries, with Stefan Ratchford’s two goals sending the Wolves into half-time 12-0 ahead.

Theo Fages responded for the Saints but Man of the Match Daryl Clark scored late on, goaled by Declan Patton, to seal the win.

Despite such controversy, take nothing away from the Wolves, they stuck to their game plan and produced a sensational performance that stunned all considering their league leading opponents had won all three previous meetings in 2019.

However, such a result effectively demonstrates there’s plenty of magic in the Challenge Cup remaining and one of the many reasons why the prestigious competition has to remain for the foreseeable future!

 

Worst Result: Hull Kingston Rovers 16-14 Warrington Wolves

They sustained much heavier defeats in 2019 but their shock away defeat against Hull Kingston Rovers would have raised more than a few eyebrows.

The Wolves recently knocked KR out of the Cup prior to the game, even holding out with 11 men for one period as well as a late fightback from the hosts.

But the Robins gained revenge in very cruel circumstances. Warrington led 8-4 at half-time thanks to Bryson Goodwin’s try and two goals from Patton in response to Ryan Shaw’s penalty goals.

Main Man: Blake Austin

An exciting individual with a point to prove who certainly made his mark was Blake Austin.

Austin slotted into the Warrington team almost instantly, helping to establish them as a dominant team very quickly that earnt him a place in the Super League Dream Team as well as one of the contenders for the Man of Steel award.

Though he missed out on a trip to Old Trafford, Wembley and the latter award, Austin remains a fans favourite with the club, not surprising given how much he did.

Scoring 18 tries and assisting in 12 was superb but also managing 360 tackles, 115 tackle busts, 97 attacking kicks and up to 2414 metres whilst in possession.

Superb stuff from Austin, who now not only hopes to make a name for himself at the club but also for Great Britain too.

 

Predicted 2nd – Finished 4th

They were always going to come back as a top team but they did silence their haters by notching silverware in 2019 so full credit to Warrington for that.

Not quite living up to expectation in the league, with this perhaps down to their Cup triumph as clubs have shown habits of losing form after winning at Wembley.

Possibly hangover but also injuries as after a long season this comes into the mix as they ran out of fuel when they crashed out the play-offs to Castleford in week one.

Should the Wolves target their first title in 65 years, maybe they might have to sacrifice their Cup title or find out a way to swoop up all honours simultaneously for the very first time?

The year remained a success for the club and given their recruitment for 2020, should come back in similar form, if not stronger and look good money for more silverware.

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