Although most would probably have predicted the outcome of a contest between a club recently relegated to North 2 West and one newly promoted, few would have anticipated the manner in which this game unfolded.

In conditions perfect for running rugby, both teams did exactly that, producing a superb eighty-minute spectacle.

Warrington led for most of the game, although they were frequently on the back foot. Manchester edged ahead with fifteen minutes remaining, but Warrington responded strongly in the closing stages. The last kick of the game could have secured victory for Warrington, but JP Hudson's drop goal drifted narrowly wide. Manchester breathed a sigh of relief, while Warrington had to be content with two points rather than five.

Manchester took an early lead when their No. 8 picked up from the base of a scrum deep in Warrington territory and provided the scoring pass to a supporting runner on his shoulder. 0-7

Warrington struck back almost immediately when second row and captain Harry Kellett took an excellent line through the Manchester defence. Hooker Harrison Turner acted as scrum-half at the ensuing maul and fed scrum-half Jack Whittaker, who touched down beneath the posts to allow a straightforward conversion for Hudson. 7-7

Manchester then subjected Warrington to phase after phase of determined attack, but resolute defence kept them at bay, although they were held up over the line on one occasion. In the fifteenth minute, with Warrington still under pressure, winger Tom McEniff, displaying his innate sense of timing, produced what is rapidly becoming his trademark interception on the Warrington 10-metre line before sprinting under the posts, giving Hudson another simple conversion. 14-7

Warrington failed to gather the restart and consequently invited further Manchester pressure. However, in the twentieth minute, they broke out from their own in-goal area when stand-off Matt Beeley, with consummate confidence and skill, side-stepped a would-be tackler and moved the ball wide. Centre Hudson carried strongly before feeding scrum-half Whittaker, whose perfectly judged kick through was touched down by the ever-alert McEniff. 19-7

From the outset, Manchester had demonstrated superiority in the scrum, and they now put it to good use. After driving Warrington backwards in two successive scrums, they moved the ball wide for a well-worked try. 19-14

Warrington responded with another scintillating move when man-of-the-match Steve Antrobus burst through the middle from the Warrington 22. Assisted by a series of powerful hand-offs, he carried play up to the Manchester 22, where the ever-present Whittaker was on hand to score his second try and secure Warrington's bonus point. 24-14

As half-time approached, Manchester responded by pressing on the Warrington five-metre line with a succession of scrums. Their persistence eventually paid off with a short-range try.

HT 24-19

Hudson extended Warrington's lead with an early second-half penalty, but Warrington spent much of the period confined to their own half, despite occasional promising breaks from centre Archie Kellett and winger Luke Turner. With twenty minutes gone, a penalty gave Manchester a line-out five metres from the Warrington line, from which they mauled their way over. The conversion reduced the deficit to a single point. 27-26

With fifteen minutes remaining, winger Jude Lightfoot appeared to emulate his fellow winger McEniff by intercepting on the Warrington 10-metre line, only to be adjudged offside. From the resulting penalty, Manchester gained a line-out and drove over from fifteen metres out. 27-33

A further three points followed shortly afterwards when Warrington were penalised for a scrum infringement. 27-36

With time running out, Antrobus scored Warrington's fifth try following a breakout initiated by Danny Fleming and continued by Kellett and Lightfoot. Lightfoot nearly crossed again two minutes later but was beaten to the touchdown by the narrowest of margins as he chased his own kick through.

Warrington regained possession from the ensuing scrum, put together several forward phases to improve the position for their stand-off, and eventually worked the ball to Hudson. Unfortunately for the home side, his drop-goal attempt drifted narrowly wide before the final whistle sounded.

FT 34-36

Team:
1) T.Green *, 2) H Turner *, 3) J.Lloyd, 4) J.Evans *, 5) Harry Kellett (c) *,
6) J.Evans *, 7) S.Callander *, 8) D.Fleming *, 9) J.Whittaker *, 10) M.Beeley *,
11) T.McEniff *, 12) JP.Hudson *, 13) Achie Kellett,* 14) K.Cherrett, 15) ) L.Turner *
Replacements:
16) Andy Kellett, 17) Sam. Bennett*, 3) J. Lightfoot *
* Indicates home-grown players.

Referee: John Pemberton (Manchester & District Referees Society)

Report by Roy Potts, WRUFC

Next Fixture -North 2 West:- Northwich v Warrington Saturday 3rd October 2026