Smith pleased with progression

Warrington coach Tony Smith admits Keighley must be sick of the sight of the Tetley's Challenge Cup holders after they were on the end of a fourth-round hiding from them for the third year in a row.

Smith took no chances against the Kingstone Press Championship part-timers, fielding 11 members of the side that beat Leeds in last August's Wembley final, and he was rewarded with a ruthless display that brought a 74-4 victory at Cougar Park.

"We came here with a strong team - we only had two debutants - because we needed to get on top of some aspects of our game," Smith said. "We needed a good hit-out."

The Wolves led only 26-0 at half-time but, playing downhill with the wind at their backs, they stepped up a gear at the start of the second half, scoring six tries in a 14-minute purple patch.

"The first half probably took its toll on our opponents," Smith added. "The floodgates opened for a little while but they didn't throw the towel in by any means. They kept fighting and scored a try and almost got another at the end.

"All credit to Keighley. That's our third year in a row with them and they're getting sick of us. But they showed a lot of fortitude."

Ryan Atkins scored a hat-trick, while Warrington wingmen Chris Riley and Rhys Williams both scored two tries apiece and skipper Brett Hodgson finished with 26 points from a try and 11 conversions.

Keighley were trailing 62-0 when full-back Paul White scored their solitary try but player-coach Paul March insists his players ought to be proud of their performance against familiar star-studded opponents.

"I hope we get someone else next year," he said. "You always want to play against the best and they certainly brought their best team.

"We'll take a lot out of today. We've played against some of the best players in the world."