While it was clear from an early stage here that Warrington were never likely to succumb to a Challenge Cup shock – and there have been enough of those down the years – perhaps the biggest compliment to be paid Steve Price’s side during this one-sided win is that they showed a merciless edge that will certainly stand them in good stead when greater tests arrive in this competition.
By the end the eight-times cup winners had somewhat sauntered through to round six but, leading 30-0 at half-time against a Bradford side whose effort and endeavour were clearly on display throughout, there could have easily been a temptation to put the cue on the rack as the afternoon wore on and take a breather. Warrington did no such thing, however. With the attacking finesse Price has promised, his side will improve as the weeks go on and they continued to show signs of serious potential here.
In all there were 10 home tries - four of them by Josh Charnley, who has taken little time in readjusting to life as a rugby league player since his departure from Sale. He now has an impressive seven tries in a matter of five games since returning to Super League.
“It was a very professional display,” Price said. “These games can be quite awkward but credit to the playing group for going out and replicating the game plan.”
One major concern for Price and Warrington, however, was a knee injury to the England forward Ben Currie, who will go for scans on Monday to determine the severity of the problem. Worryingly it is the same knee that ruled him out for almost a year in 2016.
For Bradford, while this was a chastening afternoon with regard to the final scoreline as they toiled in the spring sunshine, this was at least a reminder of where the four-times Super League champions aspire to be in the coming years. Relegated twice in five years to League 1, the sport’s lowest professional tier, the Bulls certainly did themselves proud in terms of effort.
So, too, did their travelling support of well over 2,000 fans, who were at least given something to cheer when Joe Keyes scored the game’s final try with four minutes remaining to ensure they did not finish scoreless. Their coach, John Kear, masterminded the cup’s greatest-ever upset in the 1998 final, when Sheffield defeated Wigan, but he has already insisted that restoring Bradford to Super League would be his greatest achievement as a coach.
“It sounds strange after a 54-6 scoreline but I’ve come away feeling very heartened,” he said. “I would hazard to say there were more Bulls fans than there has been from some Super League teams and it’s heartwarming. It makes you feel inspired to keep trying to grow this team.”
Charnley’s tries were sandwiched either side of half-time. His first two rounded off a dominant first half for the hosts in which there were six tries, as the Bulls failed to handle some slick attacking play from the Wolves for the majority of the opening 40 minutes.
His next two came in the moments after half-time as Warrington continued to punish the visitors, with Bryson Goodwin also finishing with a hat-trick. Bradford certainly did not deserve to head home without a try of their own, though – something Keyes at least remedied four minutes from time.
