Rugby League: High Noone enjoys romp over London minnows; RUGBY LEAGUE/BOAT RACE.

Byline: BY IAN LAYBOURN

Warrington 52

London Skolars 0

WARRINGTON'S stand-in skipper Paul Noone was happy to be in the draw for the Powergen Challenge Cup fifth round after their comfortable win over London Skolars.

Noone, who took over the captain's role from the rested Lee Briers said after the 52-0 success: "I think we could have scored 80 or 90 if it had been drier conditions but we stuck to the gameplan and a win is a win and we are in the bag for the next round.

"It was a good chance to put some of our young lads into the team because we have a good 26-man squad.

"Our coach Paul Cullen gave some of the senior players a rest and knew we could win with the capabilities of the squad."

Noone added: "London were brilliant and they had some big lads out there who gave a spirited performance and it was certainly no pushover."

London coach Latham Tawhai was proud of his side's efforts, adding: "I am really proud about how the players have conducted themselves.

"We knew it was going to be a physical battle and Warrington were physical stronger and their skill level was better but no-one was being carted off the field after taking the ball up and it was the same in defence.

"We watched the Tennent's Scottish Cup football match with Gretna yesterday and that gave the boys some inspiration that sometimes the team not favoured to win can pull something off.

"Our guys have so much passion for the game, they travel from all over London to get to training after their full-time jobs and some have to travel two hours to get to training and then two hours back so we are a very tight unit."

The Skolars, who were formed just 11 years ago and became a senior club in 2003, were facing Super League opposition for the first time in a competitive game and gave an excellent account of themselves, but were outclassed throughout.

The Wolves rested a number of senior players and made eight changes from the side that defeated Wakefield in the Super League the previous week, but they did welcome back Stuart Reardon, who returned to the side after a six-week absence with a broken hand.

Warrington's youngsters made the most of their opportunity, with 18-year-old winger Chris Riley helping himself to two tries, while fellow 18-year-old forward Ben Harrison and Andy Bracek, 19, were also among the try-scorers.

The Wolves started by scoring over a point a minute as they crossed for four tries in the opening 18 minutes to lead 20-0.

Richie Barnett, Chris Bridge, Bracek and Reardon all touched down, with Bridge adding two conversions.

The wet conditions contributed to some poor handling from both sides and tempers also became frayed, which resulted in a brawl late in the first half which saw Bridge and London prop Alan Barker sent to the sin-bin for fighting.

The Wolves added two further tries in the final eight minutes of the half as Riley went over on both occasions to give the home side a 28-0 half-time advantage.

The Wolves added a further four tries in the second half to complete the half-century of points.

Harrison, Mark Gleeson, Danny PAUL Lima and Steve Pickersgill all added to London's misery, with Bridge finishing with four goals and stand-in skipper Noone also adding two conversions.

The Skolars earned a well-deserved ovation from the home fans for their fine efforts, but the closest they came to scoring was when Shaun Ata was held up over the Warrington line in the first half.

SUMMARIES: Powergen Challenge Cup Fourth Round Barrow (18) 40. Tries: Horton, Atkinson, Nixon 3, J. Finch 2, Basan. Oldham (2) 8. Tries: Hayes. Batley (10) 16. Tries: Sibson, Toohey, Stokes. White-haven (14) 28. Tries: Seeds 2, R. Jackson, Sice, Eilbeck, Rudd. Featherstone (18) 44. Tries: Batty, McHugh 4, Cardoza, Kirmond, Moss. Keighley (0) 10. Tries: Brown, Johnson. Halifax (2) 8. Tries: Brambini. Goals: Lawford, Brambini. Huddersfield (24)40. Tries: Gardner, Raleigh 2, Paul, Aspinwall, Crabtree, Wild. Harlequins RL (10) 48. Tries: Clubb 3, Smith, Gafa, Dorn 2, Leuluai, Bradley-Qalilawa. Toulouse (6) 6. Tries: Myles.

Hunslet (0) 0. Hull K R (10) 22. Tries: Cockayne, Rivett, Fisher, Stephenson. Leigh (0) 12. Tries: Heremaia, Manu. Leeds (22) 36. Tries: Sinfield, Smith 2, Senior, Ellis, Gibson, Mathers. Salford (16) 32. Tries: Hodgson 2, Coley, Stringer, Finnigan, McGuinness. Dewsbury (0) 4. Tries: Powell. Swin-ton (6) 18. Tries: Saywell, Billy 2. York (6) 20. Tries: Rhodes 2, Blaymire, Law. Wakefield (22) 22. Tries: J. Field, Obst, White 2. Wigan (12) 32. Tries: Higham, Ashton, O'Loughlin, Moran, Vaealiki. Warrington (28) 52. Tries: Barnett, Bridge, Bracek, Reardon, Riley 2, M. Gleeson, Harrison, Sullivan, Pickersgill. London Skolars (0) 0. Att: 3,012 Widnes (8) 14. Tries: Peachey 2. Castleford (4) 4. Tries: Haughey.

London were brilliant and it was certainly no pushover

PAUL NOONE

CAPTION(S):

Paul Wellens in action for St Helens during their convincing 56-6 Powergen Challenge Cup win over Doncaster at Knowsley Road on Friday