The lure of Warrington Wolves' rugby league Grand Final proved irresistible for many players, resulting in a significantly changed first team and an inability to field a second XV. As a result, father-and-son duo Dom and Ted Hastings both made their first team debuts, one after more than 100 appearances for the club and the other just weeks after his seventeenth birthday.

Max Lawrence, another home-grown product, also made his debut, while the evergreen Mark Tickle completed a full game on the wing.

Northwich opened the scoring in the second minute, barging over after several phases from a line-out on the Warrington 5-metre line. They extended their lead just three minutes later when their speedy right winger crossed for a second try, making it 12-0

Ten minutes later, an enterprising Warrington side, no doubt buoyed by earlier success in that department, opted for a scrum when an easy three points were available from a penalty inside the Northwich 25. Five phases later, their confidence was rewarded when second-rower Jack Barker crossed for a try. 12-5

Warrington returned to the attack, but a dropped pass on the Northwich 10-metre line was snapped up by the home side and swiftly moved out wide for their third try. 19-5

Twenty minutes into the game, Warrington earned a penalty just five metres from the Northwich line. Captain Harry Kellett made the initial charge, before back-rower Jonny Evans finished the move. Ted Hastings converted. 19-12

Northwich again made good use of a line-out in the Warrington 22, driving over from close range for their bonus-point try. A fifth score followed shortly afterwards when Warrington reacted slowly to a quickly taken short penalty, allowing the ball to be moved rapidly to Northwich's dangerous winger. 29-12

As half-time approached, Tom McEniff scored Warrington's third try from full-back. Starting with a forward roll created by a tap tackle on the Northwich 22, he weaved his way under the posts in a brilliant solo effort before converting his own try. 29-19

On the stroke of half-time, Harry Kellett, as is his trademark, took a superb line through the middle. A perfectly timed pass from stand-off Matt Beeley put the powerful second-rower over for Warrington's bonus-point try. Hastings added the conversion.

Half-time: 29-26

Hastings opened Warrington's second-half scoring with an early penalty after Northwich were penalised in their own 22. The kick levelled the scores, but unfortunately for Warrington, parity was as close as they would come. 29-29

Although possession and territory were fairly evenly shared throughout the second half, Warrington could not find the accuracy or tempo in attack that had characterised their performance the previous week. Opportunities did come, but slower ball recycling, dropped passes and a lack of timely support meant they were unable to convert pressure into points.

In contrast, Northwich demonstrated clinical finishing, running in five further unanswered tries, four of which were converted, despite Warrington's determined defensive efforts.

Full-time: 62-29

Team:
1) T.Green *, 2) S.Bennett *, 3) J.Lloyd, 4) J.Barker *, 5) Harry Kellett (c) *,
6) J.Evans *, 7) S.Callander *, 8) D.Fleming *, 9) J.Lightfoot *, 10) M.Beeley *,
11) M.Tickle *, 12) T.Hastings *, 13) Andy Kellett,* 14) A.Stewart *, 15) ) T.McEniff *
Replacements:
16) J.Sterling *, 17) M.Lawrence*, 18) D.Hastings *
* Indicates home-grown players.

Referee: Jon Rooke (Manchester & District Referees Society)

Report by Roy Potts, WRUFC

Next Fixture North 2 West:- Kirkby Lonsdale v Warrington KO 3pm