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Smith hails two-try Ratchford

2012-05-20 08:36:18

Warrington head coach Tony Smith hailed stand-off Stefan Ratchford for his try-scoring Super League return as the Wolves overcame Wakefield 42-12

Ratchford, who had been sidelined for eleven weeks with a shoulder injury, came back with a bang on Sunday by scoring two tries in a success that moves the club just a point behind league pace-setters Wigan Warriors.

“It was pretty good for someone who has out for so long with a substantial injury,” Smith told Press Association Sport. “I thought he did a great job.

“I threw him in at the deep end but he’s been training with such enthusiasm for the last few weeks that I knew he would do a good job. He was jumping out of his skin to play in this game.”

He added: “It took some time for us to get some continuity and flow in the game but we took some things in our hands in the second half. We took control and got our reward.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield head coach Richard Agar blamed a poor second-half performance for their margin of defeat at The Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

“We went toe to toe with them in the first half and we could probably be disappointed we didn’t post more points,” he said.

“But I felt we lost our way in the second half with the way we used the ball and the big concern is the last 20 minutes.

“While Warrington are a good side, I’m dismayed at the way we didn’t front up for last 20.

“That’s a major concern for me. I would like to have seen us show a bit more resolve. We certainly didn’t handle the pressure well in the last 20.”