The full time palindromic score line was in stark contrast to the half time score, also palindromic, of 21-12, which suggested a much closer contest was to come. Warrington started at their usual blistering pace and were on their way within two minutes. Centre Archie Kellett collected his own chip kick on the Aldwinian 10m line and glided over, untouched, between the posts. Extras courtesy of JP Hudson. 7-0

Three minutes later an enterprising quick penalty taken by Tom Green earned the prop a try as he surged over from short range. Conversion by Hudson. 14-0

The visitors struck back quickly, however, when Warrington were penalised at the restart. They gained a line-out 10m out and, with echoes of the recent Wilmslow game, a well-executed rolling maul earned them a try. 14-5

Full back Will Uttley extended Warrington’s margin ten minutes later capitalising on a break down the middle by Kellett. 21-5

Warrington again failed to manage a clean exit from the restart and again were subject to a period of intense pressure from rolling mauls developed from line-outs. This initial pressure was terminated when No 8 and captain Danny Fleming stole the ball to initiate a counter attack which nearly brought dividends at the other end of the pitch. A neat kick through from scrum half Whittaker was grounded by Kellett but play was brought back for an earlier infringement.

Aldwinians returned to their game plan and on the verge of half time earned a line-out 10m out from the Warrington line. After hooker Alex Stewart was sinbinned for not rolling away from the tackle the visitors scored from close range with the last play of the half.

HT 21-12

Warrington restarted with vigour and a neat interchange between prop Bennett and scrum half Whittaker nearly brought early results but a forward pass intervened.

Centre Ryan Newton, however, opened Warrington’s second half deluge on the end of a well-practiced back division move which carved Aldwinians back line wide open. Hudson added the conversion. 28-12

Aldwinians bounced back, however, and only the attentions of back rower Joe Craven who got himself under the ball deprived the visitors of a try.

Hudson kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty and Craven himself earned Warrington fifth try, bursting through the middle in his inimitable fashion benefitting from superb line-out possession off the top from jumper Johnny Evans and pinpoint transmission from scrum half Whittaker. 38-12

Entering the last quarter of the game, slick passing from Uttley, now at stand-off, and hooker Stewart opened the door for winger Kyle Cherrett to register Warrington’s sixth try. Uttley converted. 45-12

With ten minute to go, as Aldwinians strove to attack through their back division, centre Newton was up quickly in defence and snatched an interception on the half way line with the way to the posts, and his second try, clear. Uttley with the conversion. 52-12

[b Kellett[/b] then added his second try, benefitting from a Craven break, and Cherrett his second from a break by Whittaker. 64-12

Winger Tom McEniff rounded off Warrington’s second half scoring spree but Aldwinians had the last word with a try from short range in the last play of the game.

FT 71-12

Although Warrington won by a comfortable margin, Aldwinians’ win over Wilmslow the previous week and their ability to score from short range had suggested a much closer result. It also emphasised how difficult it is to stop a well-executed rolling maul legally and that the best defence is not be there in the first place.

Team:-
1) T.Green *, 2) A.Stewart *, 3) S.Bennett *, 4) W.Morgan *, 5) Harry Kellett *,
6) J.Evans *, 7) J.Craven*, 8) D.Fleming (c) *, 9) J.Whittaker *, 10) JP.Hudson *,
11) J.Lightfoot *, 12) Archie Kellett *, 13) R.Newton, 14) T.McEniff *, 15) W.Uttley *

Bench:- 16) Andy Kellett *, 17) K.Cherrett, 18) S.Whalley *

*Indicates home grown players

Referee:- Andrew Lord ( Manchester & District Referees Society)

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC

Next game:- Aspull v Warrington Saturday 28th March 2026 KO 15:00 (3pm)