WARRINGTON Wolves will go into the opening Super League clash with Salford Red Devils full of confidence after hammering new-look Hull Kingston Rovers in Chris Bridge’s Testimonial game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

After establishing a 16-0 half-time lead with tries from Rhys Evans, Kevin Penny and Ben Westwood, Tony Smith’s men determinedly soaked up some Robins pressure in the second period and ran in four further tries through Penny, Ben Currie, Westwood and Stefan Ratchford.

And after having also nilled Widnes Vikings in the previous friendly, Wolves have set the yardstick for tougher challenges to come.

Penny’s brace were sensational, each long-range effort capitalising on intelligent work from Gareth O’Brien against a Rovers side featuring 11 new signings, including ex-Wolves back rower Tyrone McCarthy.

England international Daryl Clark, the reigning Man of Steel signed from Castleford Tigers, seemed to fit into the team like a warming winter glove and showed glimpses of his trickery from dummy half just a few weeks after returning to full training.

Ashton Sims again showed he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in Super League, man-handling the Robins pack men in typical fashion he displayed with North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL.

No sooner had the game started and it was held up for six minutes while Hull KR back rower Kevin Larroyer received medical attention ahead of being stretchered off.

Wolves took the lead three minute after play re-started, a lovely long pass from Richie Myler putting Rhys Evans over to capitalise on a penalty for holding down. Stefan Ratchford hit the post with the conversion.

Sensational vision from the re-start brought the crowd to its feet.

Gareth O’Brien took collected the kick, spotted Rovers’ former Parramatta Eels winger Ken Sio condensed in defence and sent Kevin Penny flying home from 80 metres. Penny hugged the touchline all the way, backing his pace and strength to hold off full back Kieran Dixon’s covering challenge.

Ratchford’s conversion moved Wolves to 10-0 after 13 minutes.

Wolves looked to build on their ascendance and a couple of penalties later Ashton Sims’ short pass put Ben Westwood over from 10 metres and Ratchford again added the extras.

Great defence by the corner flag bundled Italy international Josh Mantellato into touch as Rovers threatened to break Wolves’ resolve in the 41st minute.

Wolves had two tries ruled out in the final moments of the half, the first from Rhys Evans off Joel Monaghan after Ratchford’s high kick but referee Phil Bentham had blown before the touch down to give Wolves a penalty.

The ball was swung to the other flank where O’Brien and Ratchford combined to send Penny over in the left corner but the last pass was ruled forward.

Another magical score from Penny on a counter-attack set the second half alight.

O’Brien intercepted a looping long pass and after haring 40 metres himself he picked out Penny perfectly to fire home with his jet-heeled pace. Ratchford’s improvement stretched Wolves’ advantage to 22-0.

Wolves were determined to keep a blank sheet and never was that more evident in the double defensive set on their own line that included Mick Weyman being held up on his back in the 54th minute.

Some great buil-up play from the lively Richie Myler led to Ben Currie storming through a huge hole created by neat handling from Myler and Ratchford, who also converted, with 20 minutes left to play.

Wolves held their composure on a last tackle play that didn’t quite go to plan but nevertheless brought another score in the 66th minute.

But Joel Monaghan and Daryl Clark worked the ball to Ratchford and his kick across field was palmed back to Bridge by the leaping Penny so that Westwood could be fed for his second try, goaled by Ratchford.

And Ratchford fired over for the final score converted by O’Brien to complete an excellent 80 minutes for Wolves in front of 3,267 supporters.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Rhys Evans, Joel Monaghan, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Penny; Gareth O’Brien, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Currie, James Laithwaite, Ben Westwood. Subs: Chris Bridge, Micky Higham, Gary Wheeler, Ben Evans, Sam Wilde, Anthony England, George King, Joe Philbin, Jack Johnson.

Hull KR: Kieran Dixon; Josh Mantellato, Liam Salter, Darrell Goulding, Ken Sio; Terry Campese, Albert Kelly; Mitch Allgood, Keal Carlile, Mick Weyman, Kevin Larroyer, Tyrone McCarthy, Greg Burke. Subs: Adam Walker, Kris Welham, James Green, James Donaldson, Josh Guzder, John Boudebza, Sonny Esslemont, Graeme Horne.