Warrington 16 - 37 Wilmslow

Season 2019/20, when both teams were playing in North 1 West, was the last time the teams met when Wilmslow entertained Warrington and ran out winners 47-22 before the abandonment of the season due to COVID,

Wilmslow kicked off, early pressure from Warrington forwards who attacked and took the ball well into Wilmslow half but after 5 minutes a dropped ball in the centre was picked by the Wilmslow centre who cut through would be tacklers to outpace the covering Warrington defence to score under the posts, conversion added 0-7.
Warrington were soon back on the attack with their forwards out muscling the opposition pack but failed to make it count, Wilmslow relieved the pressure with kicks but their discipline let them as Warrington kept up the attack. On 15 minutes a kick over the top from Myers who was taken out following up, a yellow to Wilmslow player, Myers banged over the penalty 3-7.
Warrington continued to dominate especially at the scrum but after 25 minutes they pushed the Wilmslow pack backwards but lost control of the ball picked up by Wilmslow who broke away passing along the line to cut through to score under the posts the conversion followed
3-14.
Soon afterwards Wilmslow gained a penalty, for not rolling away at a tackle, on the Warrington 25 with a successful kick 3-17.
After 30 minutes Warrington forced a Wilmslow handling error 15 metres out who were then penalised at the scrum and Warrington took the points Myers kicking the goal 6-17. Taking the game to Wilmslow, Warrington caused Wilmslow to transgress yet again, kick to the corner from the lineout a Warrington drive and Downes forced his way over but the referee said held up. Excellent tactical kicking from Myers took play down into the Wilmslow half more pressure but opportunities went begging.
With half time approaching Warrington had a series of penalties which took play deep into Wilmslow half who penalised yet again, Myers kicked the goal and a yellow card to Wilmslow 9-17

HT 9-17

Straight from the kick-off Wilmslow fielded the ball but Warrington were penalised for a high tackle which saw a yellow card, from the ensuing lineout they moved the ball swiftly along the backs, made the line break, taking the ball deep in Warrington's half and it was only a great tackle from Turner preventing the try the ball went forward in the tackle, from the scrum Warrington moved the ball and a kick down field saw Wilmslow gain possession and break out with direct running down the middle, tackles missed, then out to score wide out, conversion missed 9-22.
On 50 minutes from a Wilmslow lineout on the half way they knocked the ball down which was snapped up by scrum half Hughes who ran through virtually unopposed to score, Myers converted 16-22.
Wilmslow lost a player to a head injury which saw uncontested scrums and Warrington’s advantage was lost. Wilmslow came more into the game with their pacing young backs showing enterprise but Warrington’s defence held firm but not without conceding penalties and from one such Wilmslow took the points 16-25.
Another breakaway from Wilmslow on 60 minutes, a kick ahead, a chase Warrington to clear but the ball went dead, at the ensuing 5 metre scrum Wilmslow moved the ball quickly out to score in the corner 16-30.
Warrington worked the ball downfield with a series of penalties from the lineout a cross field kick saw the winger gather the ball but from an offside position, from the penalty an excellent kick took Wilmslow deep into Warrington’s half. Wilmslow forwards gained momentum and a powerful drive saw them over near the posts the conversion followed 16-37.
Scrappy play in the last few minutes saw no further scores.

FT 16-37

The Warrington forwards again showed great resolve dominating the opposition pack and the half back partnership of Hughes and Myers was much in evidence but with yet again a different centre pairing and wings it was obvious the lack of familiarity within this back division resulted in fragile defense which the opposition exploited.

Report by Geoff Perks WRUFC