With this emphatic win over the Wirral team, Warrington retained their position at the top of the table ahead of Eccles by virtue of a superior points difference.

New Brighton, playing with a strong wind, the tail end of storm Amy, at their back caught an over eager Warrington off side at a ruck on Warrington’s 22 and slotted an easy penalty in the first two minutes of the game. This lead was short lived, however, as Warrington stormed back up field with their accustomed panache to put second rower Jonny Evans in at the corner. 3-5

New Brighton gained another penalty on Warrington’s 22 this time from an infringement at a set scrum when the home pack shunted Warrington back with ominous ease. 6-5

Again Warrington struck back quickly with some flowing rugby when winger Luke Turner touched down at his second attempt having been brought down just yards short a minute previously. 6-10

Breaking from the base of a scrum just outside the Warrington 22, quick acceleration and a timely dummy put the New Brighton scrum half through Warrington’s first line of defence. A fingertip tap tackle from centre Ryan Newton saved the day. New Brighton continued to press but Warrington’s relentless and aggressive tackling soon forced a turnover. Back rower Joe Craven snatched up the ball and went from 22 to 22, unfortunately so far ahead of his support that he was penalised for holding on when he was finally brought down.

With 25 minutes gone a well-weighted chip kick from stand-off Matt Beeley was collected by Newton and taken into the New Brighton 22 where Warrington were awarded a scrum. No8 Danny Fleming picked up and fed Jude Lightfoot. The winger acting as scrum half sold a beautiful dummy before snapping a pass to Tom McEniff on the wing for Warrington’s third try. 6-15

Five minutes later some scintillating inter play between Craven, Beeley, McEniff and Newton saw the latter in for Warrington’s bonus point try, Beeley converted. 6-22

Warrington then had to weather a period of heavy pressure as the heavier home pack tried to muscle over from short range but their well-marshalled and committed defence held out. In the last play of the half, an attack through the New Brighton back division was also thwarted when Beeley caught a chip through, raced into the New Brighton 22 and provided scrum half Jack Whittaker with a somewhat casual off load for Warrington’s closing first half try.

HT 6-27

Whittaker also provided Warrington’s opening second half try with just five minutes gone taking advantage of a defence-opening dummy from prop Tom Green to score under the posts, Beeley converted. 6-34

Ten minutes in Newton just beat Will Uttley to the touchdown for Warrington’s seventh try as they both chased a neat low level kick from McEniff. A successful Beeley conversion followed. 6-41

New Brighton then scored their first try. Ever showing enterprise and, no doubt, gaining some reassurance from a 35-point cushion, Warrington ignored the obvious benefit of a strong wind to clear their lines and instead mounted a handling attack from their own 22. Unfortunately, the strong wind, helpful for kicking was unhelpful for passing. The ball went to ground and was snapped up by the home side. 13-41

Winger Turner scored next for Warrington, confidently taking a New Brighton dropout and heading with supreme determination for the try line, sending one tackler bouncing yards backwards and evading another two en route. Beeley added the extras. 13-48

With twenty minutes gone full back Uttley, now taking a turn at standoff, put his name on the score card finishing off a move launched by a good combination from Fleming and Whittaker. 13-53

Ten minutes later Uttley added his second try taking a pass from back rower Sam Walley. 13-58

New Brighton had the last word, however, as in the last play of the game they finally put numerous phases together, recycling efficiently and grinding their way up the pitch against the wind to score.

FT 18-58

Warrington’s style of play continued to bear fruit despite the windy conditions. Passing was excellent and runners more often than not had more than one option. Quick recycle was enabled by sweeping clear outs, where Harry Kellett was much in evidence. Defence was impressive, both in defending the try line from short range assault and in mid field where it often produced turnovers. Such success testifies to the commitment, and abilities, of both players and coaches.

Team:-
1) T.Green, 2), C.Wilson3) H.Kellett, 4) W.Morgan, 5), J.Evans 6) A.Kellett, 7), J.Craven
8) D.Fleming (c) 9) J.Whittaker, 10) M.Beeley, 11) L.Turner, 12) R.Newton, 13) T.McNiff,
14) J.Lightfoot 15) W.Uttley

Bench:- 16) S.Whalley, 17) C.Johnstone, 18) S.Bennett

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC
Picture Geoff Perks

Next game: - Warrington v Tarleton on 11th October 2025 KO 3pm