Presumably driven by Warrington’s substantial victory and their own considerable loss the week before, Tarleton opted to play on a small pitch. While this may have had some influence on the score line, the final result was unchanged; a bonus point win for Warrington.

Tarleton took control for the first ten minutes of the game, retaining possession and driving up the middle with their bulky forwards. Committed 2-man tackling, notably from back rower Andy Kellett and hooker Alex Stewart, meant that Tarleton struggled to get over the gain line or develop momentum. Ominously in the set scrums Warrington were under pressure although No 8 Danny Fleming was adept at securing the ball.

At the first glimpse of possession, however, Warrington moved the ball quickly wide and the mercurial Archie Kellett was off down the field being bundled into touch only metres short of the Tarleton line. Warrington retained territory and after a number of penalty decisions went Warrington’s way back rower Joe Craven went in from close range. The reliable boot of JP Hudson added the extras. 0-7

Five minutes later, left winger Jude Lightfoot went in on the right on the end of an intricate but well-rehearsed set move, Hudson converting. 0-14

Stand-off Hudson was next on the scoreboard finishing from 25m out a break by centre Kellett, Hudson converted his own try. 0-21

By this time the Warrington front row had sussed out the set piece and were beginning to turn the tables on the home team. With five minutes to half time Warrington earned a 5m scrum. Although they were unable to secure a push-over try, the subsequent pressure told. Second rower Will Morgan was held up just short but captain Fleming secured Warrington’s bonus point try. 0-26

HT 0-26

Warrington now faced a steady breeze which Tarleton used to good effect to relieve pressure and regain territory whenever Warrington threatened. Five minutes into the half, a well weighted kick from Kellett had the ball bouncing about 5m from the Tarleton line but Warrington could not secure possession. The ball landed in touch, Tarleton won the line-out and cleared their line with a hefty kick.

This was about the closest Warrington came to a further try with the rest of game largely played between the 22s. Tarleton stuck to their forward driving which Warrington’s tacklers contained and the heavy conditions and dogged Tarleton defence kept Warrington’s backs at bay.

Hudson kept the scoreboard ticking with two penalties from 22m out, one awarded when Morgan was tackled off the ball.

FT 0-32

The game was the open-age debut for seventeen-year-old Mike’s Craven who came on the left wing, contributing to one of the few occasions when Warrington have fielded three sets of brothers; Joe and Mikey Craven, Oli and JP Hudson and Harry and Archie Kellett.

Team:-
1) T.Green, 2) A.Stewart, 3) S.Bennett, 4) W.Morgan, 5) J.Evans, 6) Andy Kellett,
7) J.Craven, 8) D.Fleming (c), 9) O.Hudson, 10) JP Hudson, 11) J.Lightfoot, 12) Archie.Kellett,
13) T.McEniff, 14) K.Sherrett, 15) L.Turner
Bench:- 16) Harry.Kellett, 17) J.Barker, 18) M.Craven

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC

Next game:- Warrington v Liverpool St Helens 31st January 2026 KO 14:15 (2:15pm)