DIDSBURY TOC H 20 - 35 WARRINGTON

After a two-week layoff, on a cold, wet and windy day Warrington gained their first win of the season with a bonus point to boot over a team which had routed them at the start of the season.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs Warrington took the lead in the fifth minute through a Charlie Hughes penalty when TocH were penalised for holding on after the tackle in their 22. 0-3. Warrington secured the restart just inside their 22 but ran the ball out confidently to centre Ben Hartill whose speed and acceleration took him to the opposite 22. An exchange of passes with winger Ryan Eastwood put Hartill in under the posts. Hughes converted. 0-10.

With the conditions not really conducive to open rugby Warrington nevertheless showed the courage and skill to open up when the opportunity arose and to use the elements sensibly. The wind was so strong, however, and the bounce from the 4G pitch so encouraging that the exit kicks on a number of occasions went too far and no real relief was gained. An exchange of penalties (Hughes) took the score to 3-13, before Warrington eased further ahead in the thirtieth minute through a break from the elusive Adam Whalley at No 10. An exchange of passes with centre Hartill put the standoff in under the posts for another Hughes conversion. 3-20.

Steady forward phases with good ball control and with prop Bennett demonstrating particular mastery of the art in the wet conditions laid the foundations for Warrington’s third try secured by full back Ben Dixon just before the interval.

HT 3-25

It was now TocH’s turn to use the elements and sensible kicking pinned Warrington deep in their 22 from the start. From a set piece just 30m out a good off load put the winger in at the corner with just five minutes gone. 8-25. Now facing the gale, Warrington had less incentive to kick, and although their handling was in general good, a fine combination from Whalley, Hartill and Rigby took Warrington from 22 to 22 but the ball was indeed spilled at the last gasp.

Immediately thereafter full back Rigby was in defensive mode as he scampered out from behind his try line in response to some deft kicking by TocH. Phil Lynch further relieved the pressure picking up and scrambling out to Warrington’s 22.

TocH pressure continued but when they did get over the line their touchdown was disallowed for a double movement.

With ten minutes to go a magnificent solo effort from Danny Fleming saw the back rower slip through innumerable tackles to put the game beyond doubt and earn Warrington a bonus point. The conversion and a further penalty from Hughes nailed it down 8-35. but two late tries from the home side showed Warrington had needed their first half cushion.

FT 20-35