Almost incessant rain provided difficult conditions for the running game both teams aspired to and in the main provided, despite some inevitable spills. Aspull’s version consisted of keeping the ball predominantly in the forwards whereas Warrington were happy move the ball in the back division where any fumbles are always liable to be more severely punished.

Prop Tom Green opened Warrington’s account on five minutes barging over from a short penalty just 5m out. 5-0 10 minutes later the front row of Green, Alex Stewart and Sam Bennett were the catalysts for Warrington’s next try as they unceremoniously shunted Aspull off their own ball at a scrum on the half way line. Determined running from centre Ryan Newton, took Warrington deep into Aspull’s 22 where scrum half Jack Whittaker was on hand to take the pass inside and complete the final 20m to the posts. Conversion by JP Hudson. 12-0

Another 10 minutes on, another scrum on half way, and No 8 and captain Danny Fleming picked up from behind the steady Warrington platform. A few jinks and swerves later, Fleming was in under the posts having had no need of the support available. Hudson with the easy conversion. 19-0

Five minutes later a Hudson penalty from 30metres out in line with the posts when the visitors were penalised for off side. 22-0

Both full back Luke Turner and winger River Cole were error free under the high balls which came their way and ran these back with aplomb. With 5 minutes till the interval, Turner collected one such probing kick in his 22 and sprinted back upfield. Carving his way into the opposition 22 it looked as if he might even score a magnificent solo try but he was brought down just 5m out. Fortunately, centre Newton arrived at speed to take the pass and register Warrington’s bonus point try.

Aspull, however, had the last score of the half when they chipped over the top to beat a Warrington defence impregnable to the frontal attack.

Half time 27-7

Warrington were on the offensive right away, camping on the Aspull line, but penalties were their undoing with three in a row bringing relief to the visitors. Finally, after fifteen minutes’ prop Green crashed over from short range for his second try. 32-7

As the half progressed Aspull, refused to kick ball, having realised that Warrington’s counterattacks could be lethal, preferring to make the hard yards through their burly forwards. They retained possession well and despite committed tackling notably from Andy Kellett and Steve Antrobus they finally ground their way to a second try. 32-12

Warrington returned to the offensive and once more found themselves pressurising the Aspull line. This time it was not penalties that let the visitors off the hook but some self-generated positive counter rucking.

Warrington had done enough by half time to be confident of victory, but will be disappointed in a second half where it was one try apiece, where they were unable to turn pressure into points and where the penalty count was too high.

FT 32-12

Team:-
1) T.Green, 2) A.Stewart, 3) S.Bennett, 4) W.Morgan, 5) J.Evans, 6) S.Antrobus,
7) J.Craven, 8) D.Fleming (c), 9) J.Whittaker, 10) JP Hudson, 11) R.Cole, 12) M.Cadwell, 13) R.Newton, 14) K.Sherrett, 15) L.Turner

Bench:- 16) C.Wilson, 17) J.Barker, 18) A.Kellett

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC

Next game: - Eccles v Warrington on 13th December 2025 KO 2:15p