Super League: Warrington Wolves 38-18 Wakefield Trinity - Charnley hat-trick inspires Wire

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Warrington Wolves have now won six of their nine Super League games so far this season

Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Warrington bounced back from their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to beat Wakefield in Super League.

Gareth Widdop's try put Wire ahead and Ben Currie cemented their advantage before David Fifita's reply.

Jake Mamo extended the hosts' lead and Charnley crossed for his first.

Joe Arundel gave Wakefield hope of a comeback but Charnley ran in two more tries before Lee Kershaw scored a late consolation effort before the hooter.

The victory is Warrington's sixth of the Super League campaign so far and they remain in fourth place but only a point behind all the top three, having played a game more.

But Wakefield's inconsistent form continued as they struggle to gain a foothold this season - this their seventh loss in 10 games.

Both sides came into the match with unchanged squads and the hosts looked to make amends for their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Castleford last time around.

There was an energetic start, summed up by the three-way scramble for Warrington's second try with Widdop, Currie and Tom Lineham all diving over the ball before it was given to Currie.

Charnley's performance inspired Wire on a balmy evening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with Widdop's fine work with the boot - landing all six goals and a penalty - adding to a comfortable victory.

Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, Mamo, King, Charnley, Austin, Widdop, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Philbin.

Interchanges: Mulhern, Davis, Akauola, Walker.

Wakefield: Jowitt, Kershaw, Lyne, Tupou, Kay, Miller, Lino, Battye, Walker, Arona, Pitts, Arundel, Westerman.

Interchanges: Batchelor, Wood, Fifita, Aydin.

Referee: M. Griffiths.