Any doubts that a promoted Warrington could compete in their new league were quickly dispelled in this opening match against a team who had finished third in the league the previous season. Didsbury’s kick off went directly into touch aided by a strong, cross-pitch breeze and the restart scrum hinted at what proved to be Warrington’s dominance at the set piece.

In the first two minutes of the game Warrington declined an easy 3 points from in front of the posts, opting instead for a short penalty. This confident decision was vindicated two minutes later when back rower Joe Craven went over after a few phases and some slick interplay from scrum half Ollie Hudson and centre Ryan Newton. JP Hudson slotted a difficult conversion from the touch line. 0-7

Warrington continued to dominate possession and territory. With quick ball available from speedy clear outs at the rucks and sharp passing with the option of a number of receivers Warrington consistently broke the gain line. A clean break from Harry Kellett, in a move clearly perfected on the training ground, took the big middle rower up to the Didsbury 22 but his off load, which looked like a try maker, was knocked down without punishment.

Five minutes later more scintillating passing in the back division took full back Will Uttley in his first team debut to within 10m of the Didsbury line.

In the twentieth minute Warrington’s enterprise finally told when when prop Alec Rowan barged over from short range on the end of a pass from the quick hands of fellow prop Sam Bennett. Hudson slotted another difficult kick from the touch line. 0-14

Didsbury began to get more into the game but were unable to make much headway against Warrington’s resolute two-man tackling. Excellent jackalling by Craven earned a penalty which resulted in a Warrington line-out 10 m out. Unfortunately, although Warrington had, heretofore, been securing good possession off the top from middle rower Jonnie Evans, Didsbury benefitted from some miscommunication on Warrington’s part to clear their lines.

Not for long, however, as another interlude of superb handling put winger Luke Turner in on the left for Warrington’s third try. 0-19

With half-time looming, Didsbury bull dozed over from short range when Warrington were reduced to fourteen men by a yellow card for the redoubtable Craven. 5-19

Warrington bounced back immediately and a mazy break from a line-out by Harrison Turner, replacing an injured Hudson at scrum half, again took Warrington deep into Didsbury territory but support was just too slow to arrive and Didsbury were awarded a penalty for Warrington not releasing. Warrington had the last word, however, when JP Hudson knocked over a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

HT 5-22

In the second half Didsbury began to retain more possession and although they struggled to make headway against Warrington’s uncompromising tackling the game was, nonetheless, played predominantly in the Warrington half. However, fifteen minutes into the half a long kick from JP Hudson from inside his own half turned the Didsbury defence and full back Uttley won the chase for the touchdown for his debut, and Warrington’s bonus, try. Hudson converted. 5-29

With thirty minutes gone, hooker Carl Wilson registered Warrington’s fifth try taking a short pass from Harry Kellett finishing off a period of Warrington pressure on the Didsbury line, Hudson converted. 5-36

Didsbury returned to Warrington territory and although initially held up over the line finally registered their second try in the dying minutes of the game.

FT 10-36

This was an excellent start to the season for Warrington, showcasing their entertaining style of rugby and indicating the amount of effort put in by players and coaching staff over the off season.

Team:-
1) S.Bennett, 2) C.Wilson, 3) A.Rowan, 4) H.Kellett, 5) J.Evans, 6) S.Whalley, 7) J.Craven, 8) D.Fleming (c) 9) O.Hudson, 10) M.Beeley,
11) L.Turner, 12) JP.Hudson, 13) R.Newton, 14) T.McNiff, 15) W.Uttley

16) R.Eastwood, 17) A.Kellet, 18) H.Turner

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC