Wing sensation Kevin Penny claimed a hat-trick as Jimmy Lowes strengthened his claims to be appointed Warrington coach on a permanent basis with an 11-try mauling of engage Super League rivals Wakefield.

Former Bradford and Great Britain hooker Lowes, 37, was handed the caretaker reins until the end of the season after long-serving coach Paul Cullen left the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the wake of May's home defeat by struggling Castleford.

Warrington had hit rock-bottom at that point but Lowes has breathed new life into their season and transmitted the desire that characterised his own career into the players who underachieved so frequently under Cullen.

That six different players crossed the line in the opening 40 minutes said everything about Warrington's reinvigoration under the no-nonsense Yorkshireman, who has now presided over four wins in five games since taking charge.

Matt King, Jon Clarke, Chris Riley, Michael Monaghan, Simon Grix and Penny all touched down to help the Wolves establish a 34-18 interval lead against the Challenge Cup semi-finalists.

King, Martin Gleeson and Riley all touched down after the break and Penny added a brace to complete his treble and take the hosts' try tally to 11.

That they also shipped four tries told a similar story of the defensive deficiencies Lowes has yet to iron out, but Warrington are clearly building momentum at just the right time.

They led in the third minute when a clever piece of dummy running from Clarke created the space for a slick sequence of handling, which involved Lee Briers, Monaghan and Chris Hicks and culminated in King touching down unopposed.

Hicks converted the first of his eight goals but the visitors' response was impressive as two converted tries within the space of three minutes put them 12-6 ahead.

Wildcats scrum-half Danny Brough embarked on a searing run which took him close to the Warrington line, and although his progress was halted, a quick piece of thinking saw him recycle the ball and send Matt Peterson burrowing over from close range.

Brough added the extras with some style for the first of his four conversions and in the ninth minute John Kear's men forged ahead when giant prop Richard Moore advanced forward at pace to thunder his way over after collecting a suspiciously forward-looking pass from Sam Obst.

The breakneck opening continued in the 12th minute when a delightful piece of play from Briers saw the talismanic stand-off break the Wakefield line and show intelligence to send Clarke over with a neat inside pass.

Hicks landed his second goal and, as the pendulum swung back in Warrington's favour, they claimed their third touchdown in the 19th minute when an exquisite long pass from Briers found Riley all alone in the right corner and he dived over to restore the hosts' advantage.

Hicks could not add the extras but the momentum remained largely with the Wolves and Monaghan popped up to extend their lead from close range in the 27th minute and Hicks goaled to give his side a little breathing space at 22-12.

Grix crossed from close range and although Matt Blaymire found the space to touch down for Wakefield, Warrington had their sixth score in the closing stages of the first half when Penny took King's pass and raced 60 metres to outstrip the visiting defence down the left flank.

Monaghan showed outstanding vision to send King over for his second try in the 48th minute and although a horrendous error in the Warrington defence allowed Jason Demetriou to touch down in the 57th minute, Martin Gleeson added an eighth try for the hosts after exploiting a huge gap.

Penny claimed a late brace to complete his hat-trick and sandwich an effort from Riley as Warrington enhanced their play-off credentials in style.