Crusaders 16-56 Warrington

Brett Hodgson‘s second half hat-trick helped in-form Warrington rout Crusaders 56-16 in Wrexham.

The Australian fullback also kicked eight goals for the Super League leaders to finish the game with a personal tally of 28 points. 

Crusaders, who welcomed back Gareth Thomas, battled gamely in the opening 40 minutes but coach Iestyn Harris will be disappointed at his side’s inability to contain the visitors in the second period.

Warrington opened the scoring with a try from centre Matt King before Adrian Morley crossed to extend the lead.

The shell-shocked hosts recovered and tries from promising youngster Elliot Kear and Hep Cahill reduced the deficit to just two points.

Crusaders then took the lead with a try from Jarrod Sammut, who was first to react after the Wolves defence failed to deal with Michael Witt‘s kick.

But Warrington responded with a three-try salvo that saw England duo Ben Westwood and Ryan Atkins touch down along with Paul Wood as the visitors went into the break 28-16 in front.

Hodgson claimed his first try of the night on 43 minutes to dispel any hopes of a comeback by the home side and further tries from Wood and Richie Myler, whose performance is likely to secure him a starting berth in the England team for next week’s match with the Exiles, put the result beyond doubt.

Former Huddersfield star Hodgson then wrapped up his hat-trick with two quickfire tries to bring up the half century for Tony Smith’s men, the sixth time this season that the free-scoring Wolves have scored 50 points or more in Super League.

Crusaders: Schifcofske, Kear, Mellars, Thomas, Tansey, Witt, Hanbury, O’Hara, Withers, Moore, Cahill, Winternstein, Chan. (Bench: Lupton, Sammut, Flower, Bryant.)

Tries: Elliot Kear (17), Hep Cahill (28), Jarrod Sammut (33).

Goals: Clinton Schifcofske (28, 33)

Warrington: Hodgson, King, Bridge, Atkins, Williams, Briers, Myler; Morley, M Monaghan, Carvell, Anderson, Westwood, Grix. (Bench: Solomona, Wood, Higham, Cooper.)

Tries: Matt King (7), Adrian Morley (10), Ben Westwood (39), Ryan Atkins (40), Paul Wood (40, 47), Brett Hodgson (43, 63, 66), Richie Myler (51).

Goals: Brett Hodgson (7, 10, 39, 40, 47, 51, 63, 66)

Attendance: 4,907

Referee: Robert Hicks