Matt Dufty led the charge with a hat-trick as Warrington Wolves secured a convincing 24-6 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the final match of day one at the Magic Weekend at Elland Road.
The Wolves took an 8-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a Josh Thewlis penalty followed by a converted try from George Williams. Despite a hard-fought contest, the home crowd, predominantly supporting the Rhinos, witnessed a game where Leeds struggled to find their rhythm.
As the second half commenced, Dufty quickly extended Warrington’s lead. Following a scuffle that saw Rodrick Tai and Sam Lisone receive yellow cards, Dufty capitalized on the opportunity. Just under half an hour into the second half, he exploited a gap close to the line, crossing for a try that put the Wolves up 14-0.
Shortly after, Dufty scored again—this time finishing off a slick passing move involving Williams and Danny Walker. With Thewlis converting, the score moved to 18-0 in favor of Warrington.
Tensions ran high as both teams traded physical blows, leading to more disciplinary action. Leeds finally managed to break the deadlock with a try from Paul Momirovski after he dove onto a grubber kick with Rhyse Martin converting to bring the score to 18-6.
However, Dufty sealed the victory for the Wolves with another try in the closing minutes, ensuring a comprehensive win for the team.
Coaches’ Reactions
Warrington’s head coach, Sam Burgess, praised the physical nature of the game, stating, “It was a really physical game. Leeds brought a lot of energy, and they came to win big time. We had to be at our best to beat them.”
On the other hand, Leeds coach Brad Arthur expressed disappointment, saying, “I’m very disappointed. We didn’t deserve to lose like that. Tough calls changed the game, but I was happy with the boys’ effort. They dug deep and kept trying until the end.”
With this victory, Warrington Wolves look to build on their successful start as they continue their campaign in the Super League.
Credit: Sky Sports
