SAM Stone savoured a rare try-scoring double as Warrington Wolves emerged 38-30 victors in a wild contest away to York Knights on Friday.
The Super League founder members and three-time grand-finalists were pushed all the way by the competition newcomers at the LNER Community Stadium, but managed to keep their noses in front throughout.
Second row Stone grabbed two of Warrington’s seven tries to help Sam Burgess’ side make it three wins from three to start the Super League campaign and revelled in crossing the whitewash twice in a game for only the fourth time in his career.
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“It’s always the cherry on top,” Stone, who was named player of the match, told Sky Sports.
“I don’t score many, so to score two is very surprising.”
Along with scoring twice, Stone set Josh Thewlis up to grab his second try of the game which put the seal on the win for the Wolves with 11 minutes to go.
Ben Currie’s 100th Warrington try, plus finishes from George Williams and Cai Taylor-Wray, and five Mark Sneyd goals, also helped the away side to victory.
Tries from ex-Warrington prop Paul Vaughan, Liam Harris, Toa Mata’afa, Denive Balmforth and Ben Jones-Bishop, all of which were converted by Danny Richardson, ensured York remained in the hunt to give another established Super League side a bloody nose before falling short though.
Stone, who broke eight tackles and made two clean breaks along with coming up with 38 tackles, admitted the Wolves still have plenty to work on in defence.
“[The two points] is the most important thing and just trying to improve every week,” Stone said.
“Today probably wasn’t a step in the right direction, but if you can win not playing your best then that’s important.
“They played well, they throw the ball around and they’re hard to defend, so credit to them.”
YORK KNIGHTS 30 (Liam Harris, Paul Vaughan, Toa Mata’afa, Denive Balmforth and Ben Jones-Bishop tries, Danny Richardson 5 goals) lost to WARRINGTON WOLVES 38 (Sam Stone 2, Josh Thewlis 2, Ben Currie, George Williams, Cai Taylor-Wray tries, Marc Sneyd 5 goals) at the LNER Community Stadium. REFEREE: Liam Moore