WARRINGTON 12 - 42 ECCLES

With the return of centre Andy Wright from a long sabbatical, winger Ryan Eastwood from long term injury, the blooding of youngster Archie Caldwell on the wing and the debut of new recruit Matt Woodthatcher in the back row, the churn in the Warrington squad continued apace.

Veteran Matt Rockey started the excitement early, stealing the ball from the Eccles scrum-half and taking the ball from 22 to 22. Unfortunately, flyer Luke Turner in support slipped on the greasy surface giving Eccles the time to thwart a try. Warrington camped in the Eccles 22 but another chance went a begging a few minutes later when the ball was spilled after a typically rumbustuous break from the base of a scrum by captain Josh Downes.

Eccles absorbed the pressure and struck back with a well-earned try when the pacey right winger rounded the Warrington defence on his 22 and sprinted the length of the field for a try under the posts. A similar try 2 minutes later with the aforesaid winger combining well with his centre gave Eccles a 14-point lead with 15 minutes gone.

Excellent touch kicking from Rockey followed by aggressive tackling from the Warrington pack with Phil Lynch much in evidence kept the visitors in their 22 for long periods but Warrington could not convert this pressure to points. Another break out by Eccles was snuffed out on the Warrington 22 by committed tackling from Luke Turner who had to track back with all his speed. Eccles were not to be denied, however, and a missed tackle in the centre opened the doors for a third try under the posts.

Warrington again returned to the Eccles 22 but despite dominating possession, frequent handling errors dogged their attacks and scoring opportunities were missed.

HT 0-21.

Warrington’s territorial dominance continued in the second half but 20 minutes had gone before they gained any reward. From a 5 metre scrum, No 8 Downes made the initial charge and after a few more phases a neat inside pass to Woodthatcher gave the backrower Warrington’s first try, converted by Rockey. 7-21

Warrington continued their onslaught but an extra roll by scrum half Charlie Hughes gave the visitors a penalty in their 22. A quick take caught Warrington asleep and earned the visitors another end to end try.

Downes pulled one back for Warrington taking a quick penalty in turn and barging over from 5 metres out. 12-28.

With time running out Warrington’s eagerness to attack lead to some ill-advised passes one of which was intercepted to give Eccles their fifth try. A sixth followed at the close of play as the visitors manufactured a good try over a number of phases.

FT 12-42.

Greater perseverance in the unglamorous, but effective, close quarter exchanges might have brought Warrington more dividends but moving the ball wide, after this tactic did not initially bring rewards, was simply not successful. Improved handling will be a must, however, if these dividends, close or wide, have to be realised.