WARRINGTON Wolves have lost five of their last six games – stopping only to hammer bottom side Wakefield by 80 points.

Defeat at the DW Stadium also signalled a fifth on the bounce against Wigan for Tony Smith’s side, who last beat the Warriors in June 2013.

But Smith said afterwards Wolves are “heading in the right direction” – and he’s right.

Good sides go to Wigan, even a Wigan side not hitting the heights , and lose, but this was arguably the most exciting performance Warrington had put together all season – certainly in attack.

Wakefield will be handed several thumpings, but the expansive rugby played at the DW Stadium was much more convincing.

Smith and Shaun Wane were less than impressed by some of the defending, but Thursday was a great advert for rugby league.

If Wolves fans want a quick fix they will be disappointed – especially after the half-time announcement Sam Tomkins is heading home.

But a flying start to Round 11 is proof enough that Smith is right to put trust in his young starlets, although it was seasoned pros Joel Monaghan and Chris Bridge who opened the scoring.

However it was that same side that got opened up by Joe Burgess twice in quick succession as Wigan hit back through Liam Farrell and Ryan Hampshire.

Fronting up another youthful side in Wigan, albeit one with vastly more Super League experience, the likes of Declan Patton and Toby King – in only their second and third first-grade games respectively – for the most part held their ground.

Alongside Gene Ormsby and Ben Currie at left edge they were found wanting on occasion, but with experience comes consistency and to find that takes patience.

Patton’s kicking game, something Wolves have been lacking all season, added to their attack and Wigan full back Hampshire – with the Tomkins announcement bearing over him – was given a difficult night by the Chapelford teen.

Wolves showed character to hit back several times, with both sides left puzzled by some Richard Silverwood decisions, and while coming up short in the final 20 minutes leaves Smith’s side in what looks on paper a precarious position, eventually patience may prevail.

INTERESTING NOTES

Wolves lost five of last six games

Warrington not beaten Wigan since June 2013

Tony Smith’s side are the only team to take points off league leaders Leeds Rhinos this season

Leeds won six games on the bounce since defeat at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in March

MATCH FACTS

Super League Round 11, Thursday, April 16, 2015

Wigan Warriors...30 Warrington Wolves...20

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Toby King, Gene Ormsby; Declan Patton, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Micky Higham, Roy Asotasi, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, James Laithwaite, Anthony England.

Wigan: Ryan Hampshire; Dom Manfredi, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; George Williams, Matty Smith; Dom Crosby, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell, Joel Tomkins, John Bateman. Subs: Ben Flower, Tony Clubb, Taulima Tautai, Logan Tomkins.

Scoring: Monaghan try, 7mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; Bridge try, 12mins, 0-10; Farrell try, 14mins, Smith goal, 6-10; Hampshire try, 17mins, Smith goal, 12-10; Bridge try, 24mins, 12-14; Manfredi try, 31mins, 16-14; Currie try, 44mins, Ratchford goal, 16-20; Gelling try, 52mins, Smith goal, 22-20; Manfredi try, 62mins, 26-20; Manfredi try, 69mins, 30-20.

Penalties: Wigan 4 Wolves 8

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Attendance: 14,175

Top man: Chris Bridge

Watch the highlights of the game below: