WARRINGTON 10 - 26 ALDWINIANS

What do Warrington have to do to win? The score line is no reflection of the closeness of this game which was in the balance to the bitter end. To raucous support from their junior section, Warrington took control in the early stages and were unlucky not to go ahead in the first five minutes when back-rower Harry Kellett crashed through the Aldwinian defence. A good offload to Adam Whalley seemed to have opened the door completely but the stand-off slipped in the heavy conditions and the opportunity was lost.

The introduction of Whalley and Hartill brothers, Ben and James, all graduates from Warrington’s junior section, gave the Warrington back-line a fluency and poise which threatened every time they had possession. Although the first ten minutes were played in the Aldwinian half with Warrington on the attack, it was Aldwinians who opened the score with a break near a ruck in the centre of the pitch which gave them a clear run to the posts. 0-7.

Warrington bounced back immediately manufacturing a scoring opportunity when back-rower Jonny Evans stole Aldwinian line-out ball on the Aldwinian 22. His initial break, quick recycling and fast hands provided a scoring opportunity for Christian White but the ball was spilled as the prop dived over.

With twenty minutes gone Aldwinians collected a kick on the half way line and ran strongly through some weak Warrington tackles for a try wide on their right. 0-12.

Five minutes later Warrington pulled one back when a strong run from prop Ty Hamblett put Aldwinians on the back foot. Carried on by fellow prop Bennett and captain Josh Downes, the final pass went to winger James Hartill who crossed in the corner. 5-12.

Although Warrington had the majority of territory and possession, Aldwinians always looked dangerous in their counterattack through astute kicking and good chasing. Luke Turner at full back was up to the challenge, however, covering and tackling well. With half time imminent, a neat cross kick for winger Jack Rigby nearly brought dividends but Aldwinians just managed to retain the ball and the half ended with Warrington camped on the Aldwinian line but with no reward.

HT 5-12

An end to end second half saw Warrington scrambling back in the first minute. A kick through by the visitors had players sliding all over the place and the ball bouncing off the posts but Warrington managed to conjure the ball away. Ten minutes later Aldwinian did the conjuring after Downes charged to within 10 metres after a clever off load from scrum-half Charlie Hughes.

Midway through the half Austin Carr picked up when the Warrington pack, which had usually had the edge over their heavier rivals in the scrum, disrupted a set piece on the half way line. The back-rower battled his way into the Aldwinian 22 laying the foundation for more pressure which resulted in a penalty for Warrington. Unfortunately, this relatively easy opportunity was missed.

Not so the chance presented by an excellent cross kick ten minutes later. No 10 Whalley dropped the ball on the half way line for perfectly positioned winger Hartill to run on to. Rounding his opposite number, the winger passed inside to centre Kevin McCombie to complete the try. 10-12.

Aldwinians kicking game, however, gave them the edge in the dying minutes of the game. They forced a line out deep in Warrington territory, and despite spirited Warrington defence forced a try through their heavier forwards who managed to keep possession for more than a dozen phases.

From the restart, another long kick deep into Warrington territory, and not cleanly collected, resulted in a kick and chase as the ball went over the try line. Although Warrington won the chase, they were judged to have knocked the ball dead illegally and Aldwinians were awarded a penalty try. End of game.

FT 10-26

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC