Wolves' determination is typified by Halliwell

Warrington edged ahead of Wakefield in the dog-fight to avoid relegation from Super League in a match yesterday that was never pretty, but always pretty absorbing.

The Wolves were under pressure for most of the last 20 minutes at Wilderspool, and it was not until Danny Halliwell picked up a loose ball to race away for his second try three minutes into injury-time that they were certain of a win that lifts them above their opponents on points difference.

In a game already given spice by Warrington's recruitment of two of Wakefield's better players, Nathan Wood and Ben Westwood, earlier in the week, there was an extra irony in Halliwell's points proving decisive. He was on loan at Wakefield before coming to Warrington on a similar basis.

The Wakefield coach, Peter Roe, admitted that he had found it hard to stomach seeing two of his players in the stand cheering on their new club. "That's the seedy side of the game,'' he said. "It's been a hard pill for the players to swallow, seeing two of their mates go, and it could have gone really sour for us today.''

Wakefield's grim determination made them the better side in the first half, when they looked to be the team with the plan, revolving around Brad Davis's kicking game.

They took an early lead when Neil Law scored from Martin Moana's kick and Law and Kris Tassell went close to further tries before Warrington replied through Halliwell, picking up a knock-down for his first try and a goal apiece saw the sides go in level.

Warrington came out fired-up for the second half, with an extra sting in their running and tackling. Sid Domic typified their new-found passion by dragging three players over the try-line with him and even when Warrington lost Dale Laughton to the sin-bin they went further ahead with a similarly determined effort from Jon Clarke.

But Wakefield came back strongly with Davis touching down from another Moana kick and they piled on the pressure in the last quarter.

Warrington showed the defensive commitment of a side determined to stay in the Super League and Halliwell – whose loan has now been extended to the end of the season – saw them safely home.

Roe argued that a decision to allow Warrington's Rob Smyth to drag a Davis kick into touch had been crucial in undermining his side's efforts.

"But there was a lot of commitment out there today and we will take the positives from that,'' he said.

Warrington: Alstead; Smyth, Halliwell, Burns, Rivett; Briers, O'Reilly; Hilton, Clarke, Laughton, Fozzard, P Wood, Domic. Substitutes used: Marquet, Guisset, Appo.

Wakefield: Frew; N Law, Tassell, Haughey, Hassan; Moana, Davis; Keating, March, Jackson, Ellis, Slattery, G Law. Substitutes used: Handforth, Feather, Wrench, Field.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).