The Warrington 3rds XV team’s first outing of the season may have ended in defeat to near-neighbours and faux-Widnesians, Moore RFC, yet the overriding narrative of the day was seeing some of the Club’s old favourites, stalwarts and promising young players combine for an entertaining run out in Warrington RUFC’s ‘first’ home game of the season.

Team News

In Greek mythology, Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan war, was known to retire to the hills of the ancient empire to overlook the battlefields, only to come down for when the moment demanded his presence.

On Saturday, at the leafy surroundings of Walton Lea Road witnessed 13 weary legionnaires’ and one promising upstart dust off their boots to return to action – but this would be no Greek tragedy for some returning favourites.

Former ‘Wire’ luminaries such as Gareth ‘Gaz’ Wheatley and Andy Walker would both be back in the Red, White and Green, a sight not-witnessed since the halcyon days of Bridge Lane, four terrestrial TV channels and the inquisitive-wonderment of the Hooch alcopop. Joining him were the likes of James Farrell, a languid and influential presence at outside-half in tandem with the tigerish Tom Hockenhull at scrum-half. The mighty-mouse tackling of Paul Hennessey in the back-row was a welcome addition of physicality and bravery, whilst Chris Sterling and Ben Unsworth offered ballast as ball carriers. The mazy, hypotonic running of full-back Jack Sigely and the committed running from Paul MacKay added a running threat to proceedings.

First Half

The opening exchanges saw Moore reacclimatise to contact rugby quicker that their hosts. Their aggressive ball-carriers and sizeable strike runners saw them race into a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes play, with the visitors crossing for a pick-and-go try despite some resolute defending from Warrington.

Momentum started to change as Warrington grew into the game. With Farrell vocal at No10, he looked to use the intelligent running of Walker in his three-quarters in combination with the impish flair of Unsworth at full-back and the industrious running of Sigley.
Warrington’s No15 would test the Moore defence on numerous occasions with the youngster on the end of some unsavoury high tackles that momentarily threatened to see tempers flare.

Moore ended the half in the ascendancy, and in a blow to Warrington’s resurgence in the half they crossed for their second try of the game on the stroke of half-time – again from a close drive to the try-line. Half-Time: Warrington 3rds XV 0 Moore 2nd XV 12.

Second-Half

After some words of encouragement from touchline technician Kevin Jones, Warrington flew out of the traps in the second-half. After Chris Sterling combined with young Sigely, Paul MacKay raced in from 40m to score a well taken try to get the Wire on the scoreboard. Farrell nonchalantly drop-goaled the extras.

Warrington would then edge in front, where the catalyst of the comeback Gareth Wheatley raced into score down Moore’s left-hand edge. The humility of Wheatley’s play that made him a mainstay of Warrington’s first-team for such a long-time was once again on show in this game, for the No8 once again proved the adage that one should never attempt something complicated, if something simple would do.

With Moore’s second string shocked into action, they rallied to run-in two breakaway tries to extinguish the Warrington revival before the referee called time on a highly-enjoyable Saturday afternoon of rugby.

Game Star: Ben Unsworth – Willing runner took the battle to the Moorehens.

Tackle of the Match: Many to choose from Might Mouse, Paul Hennessey’s ‘lumberjack’ tackiling technique.

Try of the Match: Tough one, but Wheatley’s effort supporting another mazy run from Sigely was the pick of the day. As age and wisdom combine with the hubris of youth.

Moment of the Match: The Team Photo post-match. Great to see so many former players and stars of the future back on the pitch. Well done t all involved and for those rekindling the 3rds.

Extra Thanks: Goes to Moore’s Big Ronnie, who played a full 80 for Warrington with the Wire struggling for a full XV.

Report From Touchline Toreador M. Hennessey