Warrington boys have fun in the Autumn sun

Conditions were wet underfoot following the constant downpours, but this didn't stop some great rugby being played by both squads. Both clubs were able to field two teams, which have been labelled A and B, but both were of same strength.

Team 'A': Adam, Sam Marshall, Joe, Patrick, Charlie Cope, Gareth, Bennie the Bullet, Jack[b][/b]

Team B: Michael, Josh, Gregor, George, Ed, Cameron, Charlie Ward, Declan

Match 1: Warrington 'A' 9 - 10 Macclesfield 'A'
Tries: Adam 3, Jack 2, Patrick 2, Joe, Ben
Warrington started slowly, looking a bit uncertain of proceedings, Macclesfield scoring the first in tit for tat try exchanges. Macc had adjusted better to the referees interpretations (an 8 or 9 tag sequence was not unusual for Macc, a spectator reported) and the Warrington defence was a bit lethargic. However Warrington got on with it despite some unusual interpretations, eventually playing really well and sticking to the task, just losing out 10-9.

Match 2: Warrington 'B' 10 - 9 Macclesfield 'B'
Tries: Michael 5, Gregor 2, Cameron, Ed, George
Warrington took a while to warm up, allowing Macc into the game with some lax defence, which was a complete contrast to their sharpness in attack. Support play and fast distribution combined with the speed of play made Warrington stand out in attack. Half time score was 5 all. The defence tightened up in the second half, with a seven tag turnover being forced against Macclesfield, following good early runs ending up going into to touch from both sides. The superior support play from Warrington was the difference and made for some great rugby. A justified 10-9 victory in the end for the improving Wire team, with much credit to George as captain scoring a fine supporting play try in the first half.

Match 3: Warrington 'A 14 - 11 Macclesfield 'B'
Tries: Ben 4, Joe 3, Adam 2, Sam 2, Charlie C 2, Gareth.
A much improved performance in the second match, getting the defence going and holding Macc out for seven tag turnovers on a couple of occasions. Some excellent running and support play from everyone with Joe Lewis supporting a couple of runs really well and bursting on to passes to score a couple of great tries.
Try of the match was scored by Ben from his own line - After some great defence to force a turnover, the Macc team attempted to rush on the Warrington line, coming up fast. The ball was passed, (belying their years) through 3-4 pairs of hands before a gap was made for Ben to go full length.
Gareth was a stand out with his weaving run to score from a restart after Warrington conceding a try.

Match 4: Warring 'B' 9 - 6 Macclesfield 'A'
Tries: Michael 5, Ed 3, Gregor.
A more convincing Warrington performance as the home side raced into a 4-2 lead at half time. Both sides were guilty of running into touch a couple of times, but Warrington were on the up. The relentless support play, combined with forcing a seven tag turnover a couple of times, seemed to sap the spirit out of the Visitors. Macclesfield had no match for the Warrington speed and support play, which could have made the 9-6 winning margin a lot greater, had it not been for a few errors from the home side.

Coach's (Mark M) verdict of Team 'A': In summary, It would be unfair to single out any one player in particular as the whole 8 played really well and the usual suspects did the scoring. Jack was impressive for his first run out with the team, showing lots of enthusiasm and getting really stuck in and Patrick bagged a couple of good tries. Somehow it seems he has been away for a while.

Martin, coach of Team B's verdict on the team: All players contributed to a fine team effort, with the notables being Michael’s very well balanced five tries in each game, George captaining game 1 and with some fine supporting play going over for a try. Gregor’s financial incentivisation is also paying off with 2 tries in game 1 and 1 in game 2. Ed weighed in with some more great elusive running to provide 1 in the first game and a hat-trick in the second as his pace took advantage of the weary Macc defence. Josh supported and offloaded well and was conspicuous by his tagging, he just didn’t quite make it across the whitewash himself this week. Cameron also scored in game 1, with a good support try and run. Declan captained us in game two and also got stuck in, and Charlie Ward never far from the action with good running and support play. Support play was great all round, as was ball in hand play. The defence got there eventually, producing at least three 7 tag turnovers, but we took a while to get properly ‘wall of Warrington’.

Many thanks to all of the parents for their help and support during the day, particularly to Steve Lewis who put in a great stint in the role of on-field coach for Team B.

Finally, thanks to Martin & Mark for another sterling job, and for the detailed match report.