WEST PARK 31 -20 WARRINGTON

A poor start from Warrington meant they were always chasing the game and although they were level at half time they could not, unfortunately, turn pressure into points when it mattered. In a territorially even game, Warrington had the better of the set pieces, totally demolishing West Park at the scrum on numerous occasions and, primarily through Evans and Barker, spoiling a lot of West Park line-out ball. West Park, however, had the better of the kicking game where much of Warrington’s kicking was not into space and the catcher under little pressure, or did not find touch.

West Park missed a penalty in the first two minutes when Warrington were penalised for not releasing in their 22. Another penalty a minute later for a deliberate knock on, was taken quickly by West Park. Slow reaction and poor tackling from Warrington gave the home side their first try 7-0.

West Park line-out ball was then snapped up by back rower Evans, taken on up to the West Park 22 by Fleming and Lynch where Warrington were awarded a penalty. Enterprisingly declining a relatively easy 3 points, Warrington opted for line-out in the corner from which second row Barker delivered the goods. Instead of an expected drive, Warrington moved the ball quickly out but although stand-off Matt Rockey got over the try line he was held up.

Maintaining the pressure in the West Park 22, Warrington gained a penalty when the West Park scrum crumbled in the face of Warrington’s power. A quick take by scrum half Charlie Hughes took the ball to the West Park line and after a few forward drives earned a try for prop Chris White. Rockey converted to even the scores. 7-7.

Warrington dealt poorly with the restart and were lucky not to go behind when West Park missed a penalty in front of the posts. Further penalties allowed West Park to camp in Warrington’s 22 for a sustained period and only disrupted line out ball and last ditch tackling from Warrington kept the score down.

West Park did, eventually get over the whitewash in the twenty fifth minute, benefitting from a 22/50 line out. 12-7.

Just before half time, however, with the scrum going comfortably forward, No 8 Fleming picked up and combined well with scrum half Hughes whose show and go opened up the home defence. Full back Andy Almond was on hand 20 metres later to receive the ball for the last 5 metres to the try line. Rockey converted. 12-12 at the interval.

HT 12-12

Ten minutes into the second half West Park went ahead from a drive from a line-out 19-12. A successful counterruck ten minutes later followed by fluent passing down the line earned them another try. 24-12.

Warrington then clawed 3 points back through the Rockey boot 24-15. Both sides then earned yellow cards for high tackles but whereas West Park were able to capitalise when they had an extra man to drive over from short range, Warrington were unable to reciprocate. 31-15.

With 10 minutes to go captain Downes got over the try line from a short penalty but was held up. Nevertheless, Warrington did have the last word when a long pass from Rockey found Luke Turner on the half-way line but with little room for action. A good hand-off, nifty footwork and speed, however, put the underused winger away for a brilliant individual try 31-20.

FT 31-20.

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC