Whitehaven 4 Wire 44 - Burgess' boys progress in Challenge Cup
WARRINGTON Wolves' got their 2025 season underway by safely progressing to the Challenge Cup fourth round thanks to a victory at League One side Whitehaven.
The Wire ran eight tries past their semi-professional opponents, with four players scoring two tries each.
Danny Walker started and finished the first-half scoring and was only denied a hat-trick early in the second period by an illegal trip from Jay Weatherill, who scored 'Haven's only try shortly after returning from the sin bin.
Winger Jake Thewlis - playing alongside older brother Josh in a competitive match for the very first time - scored in either half as did half-back Oli Leyland, who was making his competitive Wire debut alongside fellow new signing Dan Russell.
Cai Taylor-Wray also touched down for two second-half tries as Sam Burgess' men made serene progress into the next round.
Danny Walker touches down for the opening try at Whitehaven (Image: Joe Richardson)
Warrington Wolves thrash Whitehaven - post-match reaction
> Josh Thewlis on his younger brother's two-try display and his return from a frustrating pre-season
> Everything Wire boss Sam Burgess said about his side's Challenge Cup win
> INSTANT REACTION: Job done for Wire in Cumbria
> Challenge Cup fourth-round draw details as Warrington Wolves progress
> Re-live the action from the Ortus Rec as it happened here
Match facts:
Challenge Cup, third round
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Whitehaven...4 Warrington Wolves...44
Haven: Jordan Burns; Mitchell Todd, Chris Taylor, Ethan Bickerdike, Jay Weatherill; Kieran Tyrer, Jack Newbegin; Jake Pearce, Luke Collins, Jordan Thomson, Connor Holliday, Rio McQuistan, Jack Kellett. Subs: Brad Brennan, Ellison Holgate, Mason Lewthwaite, Aaron Turnbull. 18th man: Josh Blinkhorn
Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Arron Lindop, Jake Thewlis; Stefan Ratchford, Oli Leyland; Luke Yates, Danny Walker, Zane Musgrove, Dan Russell, Adam Holroyd, Tom Whitehead. Subs: James Harrison, Luke Thomas, Max Wood, Ben Hartill. 18th man: Lucas Green
Scoring: Walker try, 7mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; Leyland try, 12mins, Ratchford goal, 0-12; Jake Thewlis try, 33mins, 0-16; Walker try, 39mins, Ratchford goal, 0-22; Jake Thewlis try, 44mins, 0-26; Taylor-Wray try, 50mins, Josh Thewlis goal, 0-32; Weatherill try, 59mins, 4-32; Taylor-Wray try, 67mins, Josh Thewlis goal, 4-38; Leyland try, 73mins, Josh Thewlis goal, 4-44
Penalties: Haven 2 Wolves 3
Sin bin: Weatherill (42mins, trip)
Referee: Aaron Moore
Attendance: TBC
