On Saturday 10th October 2026, Warrington travelled to Cumbria for their league fixture against Kirkby Lonsdale, a venue they had not visited since January 2017.

Half an hour before kick-off, the heavens opened and torrential rain swept across the ground. It looked as though a wet afternoon was in store, but fortunately the skies cleared, the sun emerged, and the playing surface remained in excellent condition considering the earlier downpour.

In front of a healthy crowd, Kirkby Lonsdale kicked off. Warrington fielded the ball well and immediately showed their attacking intent. A probing kick from Matt Beeley took play deep into the Kirkby half. The home side attempted to move the ball through their forwards but found the Warrington defence in excellent form, snuffing out any attacking opportunities.

The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested, with Warrington looking to move the ball wide whenever possible. The referee was particularly strict at the breakdown, penalising Warrington on several occasions, although some late tackles appeared to go unpunished.

Eventually, Warrington's pressure paid off. Beeley produced a delightful kick through, which was gathered by James Hartill. He quickly fed winger Tom McEniff, who raced in from 30 metres to score in the corner. 0-5

Warrington gradually began to gain the upper hand, and when Kirkby conceded a penalty just inside the Warrington half, Beeley found an excellent touch deep inside the opposition 22. From the resulting line-out five metres out, Warrington secured clean possession and drove forward, with hooker Alex Stewart touching down for the try. 0-10

On several occasions, Warrington looked certain to add further scores, only for play to be brought back for forward passes.

Towards the end of the first half, Warrington conceded a couple of penalties, allowing Kirkby Lonsdale, who had rarely threatened in the Warrington half, to establish field position close to the line. A five-metre scrum led to a series of pick-and-go drives, with Warrington defending resolutely on their own try line. Unfortunately, the referee spotted an infringement and No. 8 Fleming was shown a yellow card.

The sustained pressure eventually told as Kirkby crossed for a converted try near the posts.

Half-Time: 7-10

Warrington began the second half determined to increase their advantage. A superb break from scrum-half Jack Whittaker from halfway carried play deep into the Kirkby 22, but the move ended when the home side won a penalty for holding on just metres from their line.

With a temporary man advantage in the scrum, Kirkby exerted significant pressure, forcing Warrington into conceding a succession of penalties. Rather than clearing their lines, Warrington attempted to play out from defence, but a dropped pass gifted possession to the hosts, who crossed for a converted try. 14-10

The next score came from Warrington. A penalty secured valuable field position and slick handling along the backline created space. Beeley sold a convincing dummy, wrong-footed the defence, and cut inside to score an excellent individual try. JP Hudson added the conversion. 14-17

Kirkby responded strongly. From a line-out following a penalty, the ball was moved quickly through the backs, resulting in a try out wide. The conversion attempt fell short. 19-17

Warrington continued to attack, moving the ball confidently through the backs. When a Kirkby player deliberately knocked the ball forward, the referee had no hesitation in issuing a yellow card.

A line-out in the Warrington half then produced one of the key moments of the game. Will Morgan burst through from the back of the ruck and carried play deep into the Kirkby 22. Whittaker was in support to take the final pass and score beneath the posts, leaving Hudson with a straightforward conversion. 19-24

With momentum firmly on their side, Warrington struck again. Hudson chased a perfectly weighted kick through, won the race to the ball, touched down, and converted his own try. 19-31

With only minutes remaining, swift handling once again stretched the defence, allowing Hartill to release Luke Turner, who crossed for a try out wide.

Full-Time: 19-36

Throughout the match, Warrington's defence was exceptionally strong. The back row put in a tremendous shift, while centre Hartill produced a number of crunching tackles. The forwards worked tirelessly under the leadership of captain Evans, providing an excellent platform throughout.

Overall, this was a highly satisfactory performance and an impressive bonus-point victory at a ground where wins are never easily earned.

Team:
1) T.Green *, 2) A.Stewart *, 3) T.Hamblett *, 4) W.Morgan *, 5) J.Evans (c) *,
6) Andy Kellett *, 7) S.Callander *, 8) D.Fleming *, 9) J. Whittaker *, 10) M.Beeley *,
11) J.Lightfoot *, 12) JP.Hudson *, 13) J.Hartill,* 14) T.McEniff *, 15) L.Turner *
Replacements:
16) K.Cherrett , 17) J.Barker *, 18) J.Sterling *
* Indicates home-grown players.

Referee: Simon Barker (Cumbria Referees Society)

Report by Geoff Perks, WRUFC

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