A young Warrington squad, including players from all three senior team, acquitted itself admirably against semi-professional side, Otley, in an entertaining trial game in Yorkshire. Although outpointed by their bigger, well-disciplined opposition, Warrington scored five excellent tries and competed right up to the final whistle.

Ironically, it as Warrington who opened the scoring when Nathan Beezley intercepted 40 yards out and showed that he has lost none of his pace over the summer break. Tom Wood converted. Otley then began to show why they are two leagues higher than Warrington, playing some slick rugby to race into a 27-7 lead. However, Warrington still maintained a relentless rearguard defence and were rewarded fro their tenacity when Beezley pounced on a loose ball, kicked ahead and picked up. He was eventually tackled 30 yards out but managed to slip the ball to Kieron Hughes and the little magician, returning after a season’s lay-off through injury, evaded the covering defence to touch down..

Otley then returned to winning ways with three more tries but Warrington then produced the try of the match when the footballing brain that is Tom Wood spotted space on the right side of the field. Heput in a beautifully weighted kick which was gratefully accepted by Beezley who scorched over for his second try. Within minutes, Warrington had troubled the scoreboard again, when the forwards worked well to pressurize Otley close to the line, before Jonny Evans saw the gap and sneaked over for is side’s fourth try.

Inevitably, the home team came back again but it was Warrington who had the last word when a series of quick tap penalties saw them close to the line. Another penalty was quickly taken by Tom Wood and Tom Arnold, playing out of position at scrum half, scampered over. Tom Wood’s conversion ensured that Warrington ended the game on a high.

“This was everything we hoped for from this trial game,” enthused coach Andy Roberts. “We chose to leave our comfort zone to test ourselves against a very high standard of opposition. Every player manned up to the challenge and I was particularly pleased with the way we continued to play open rugby right up to the end of the match.”

This Saturday, Warrington travel to Widnes for a second trial match.