Warrington last appeared in the Lancashire Trophy Final in 1999/00 when West Park won 41 – 21 previous to that Warrington appeared in Lancashire Plate Finals 1983/84 Aspull 10 – 4 Warrington & 1988/89 Leigh 14 - 9 so it was 41 years since Warrington played Aspull in a final.

On a warm a sunny day with perfect conditions for running rugby old adversaries Wigan provided the venue for the final of the Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy against old adversaries Aspull. Despite the score line, this was a close game with both sides playing open, entertaining rugby and the result not certain until very late in the game.

Aspull opened the scoring in the first five minutes when their scrum half darted over from the base of a scrum on the Warrington 5m line. Aspull then failed to collect stand-off Matt Beeley’s towering restart kick and Warrington won a scrum on the Aspull 22m line. From this launchpad, Beeley rifled a pass to Tom McEniff entering at pace on a magnificent line which left the Aspull defence clutching at straws and the full back under the posts. JP Hudson evened the scores with his conversion. 7-7

Two minutes later a kick deep into Aspull territory from Hudson and good chase put pressure on the Aspull full back to make a hasty exit kick. This was collected on the Aspull 22 by fly-half Beeley who cut through the defence to score under the posts for an easy conversion by Hudson. 14-7

Warrington continued on the offensive and a nice off load from middle-rower Jack Barker left centre Ryan Newton a bit of work to get over the line for Warrington’s third try. 19-7

Captain Danny Fleming added his name to the score sheet just five minutes later rounding off a series of slick handling moves initiated by stand-off Beeley, conversion by Hudson. 26-7

Aspull put an end to Warrington’s purple patch, however, in the twenty seventh minute driving over from short range with possession gained from a scrum on the Warrington 5m line for a knock on. Hard running and good support from Aspull, with the contribution of a few weak tackles from Warrington, earned Aspull their third try. 26-19

With half time beckoning, Warrington were back on the attack with left-winger Luke Turner brought down just short of the Aspull line. Warrington maintained possession and a quick ball inside found the ever ready Newton who battled over for his second try converted by Hudson.

HT 33-19

With a typical bursting run up the centre Craven opened Warrington’s scoring early in the second with an impressive 40m solo effort which was converted by Hudson. 40-19
Warrington’s indecisiveness, however, butchered the restart and they were unable to clear their lines owing to a sequence of poor passes and knockons. Grim defence was, thus, called for and this Warrington did deliver with Aspull twice held up over the line. On the second occasion, however, the restart went directly into touch necessitating a scrum back on the 5m line. From this Aspull moved the ball quickly wide and squeezed a try in in the corner. 40-26

The game continued to be played in the Warrington half but with Aspull retaining possession Warrington conceded penalties. Dogged defence frustrated the Aspull attacks, however, and Warrington threatened to break out when they forced errors. With ten minutes to go, winger Jack Rigby latched on to a loose ball and scampered down the wing. An egregious high tackle put an end to that break out but started another of handbags and more. When the furore subsided, Aspull were two men down, one with a yellow for the initial high tackle and the second with a red for punching in the aftermath.

With this Warrington we’re back in the driving seat and were content to add another penalty through the boot of Hudson in the dying minutes of the game.

FT 43-26

Team:-
Forwards:- J White, S Bennett, H Kellett, J Barker, A Carr, J Craven. S Whalley, D Fleming (c),
Backs:- O Hudson, M Beeley, J Hartill. J Hudson, R Newton, L Turner, T McEniff
Bench:- C Wilson, K Cherrett, J Rigby, H Turner, L Freeman

Referee:- Nathaniel Mountain, AR 1 :- Neil Everett, AR 2:- Simon Keeley

The win capped a memorable season for the Warrington team and club coming 2nd in the league and winning their first senior trophy in their history. Congratulations on a great team effort with special mention to the coaching staff, Richard Park, John Callander and Dave Hartill.

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC