New Record for Wolves and Briers
A 14 try rout, and a new club points scoring record for Lee Briers,let the Wolves slide into a quarter final berth for the Challenge Cup. The Wolves drew Salford Reds away in the next round, to take place the weekend of 10-11th March. A man of the match award was duly earned by Briers for a superb 14 conversions from as many attempts, with the conditions of wet and windy day and a muddy pitch. The young halfback also notched up a hat trick of tries to take his personal points tally to 40. Briers beats the previous top points scorer, George Thomas, by seven points. Thomas scoring 33 in an encounter with Briers' home town club of St Helens in 1909. Briers also matches the most goals kicked in a match, equalling the great Harold Palins 14 from 1950. The Wolves also surpassed the most points scored in a match, beating the 78-6 scoreline set in 1909 against Saints. "It was excellent, I'm really pleased for him. It's a great effort in any football game irrespective of what level you play at.", commented Van de Velde on Briers performance, "14 goals in bad weather is exceptional." "I wasn't bothered about records, I just carried on playing the way I should, the tries were all down to teamwork really.", said Briers. "I am pleased, any record is pleasing, but it's just a bonus. All we wanted to do today was get through to the quarter finals."
27, Feb, 2000
