Warrington Move Up To 10th With Bonus Point Win Over Broughton Park

Warrington 28 Broughton Park 10

An in-form Warrington enjoyed sweet revenge for an away loss earlier in the season by completely outplaying Broughton Park and gaining a welcome bonus point. The win moves the Walton Lea Road side to 10th in North 1 West, although just three points separates the sides 7 to 12 and the struggle to joining relegation-bound Anselmians and De La Salle will probably continue to the very last game of the season.

Warrington began at full speed and exerted early pressure on the Park line. The visitors managed to clear but the clearance kick found the safe hands of Nathan Beasley, who took a lateral route across the face of the Park defebce before shipping onto Keiran Hughes, making a welcome return, and the elusive centre strolled over.

The Warrington lead was then increased when Luke Gilhooley struck a good penalty and the home side were unlucky not to increase their lead within minutes but the touchdown was judged marginally offside. However, a line out ten minutes later saw Warrington’s forwards replicate a drive right out of Park’s playbook and eventually Tom Wood sprayed a long pass to Nathan Beasley who scored in the corner.

Further points were added to Warrington’s account when Tom Wood put in a tantalizing high kick, which was knocked on by the Park full back, which forced them to concede a penalty, duly dispatched by Luke Glihooley. Park then enjoyed their ten minutes of dominance in the first half and, although the Warrington defence withstood the onslaught for ten minutes, Park’s attrition eventually bore fruit as the drove over for an unconverted try to make the half time score 16-5.

Warrington were soon on the attack again in the second period and another astute kick from Tom Wood saw the visitors defending on their own line.But against the run of play, Park turned over the ball and their speedy winger sprinted 90 yards to score an excellent try.

From the restart, Warrington immediately applied pressure and contained the visitors in their own 22 before Gilhooley intercepted ten yards out to scamper over for a try which he converted.

Park came back strongly but the game was already won. A strike against the head by substitute hooker Josh Riley relieved intense Park pressure but final closure came when Tom Arnold picked up a loose pass on his own five yard line and ran 95 metres to score Warrington’s fourth try and earn the bonus point win.

“This was a must-win game,” commented coach Andy Roberts. “But today we were much too quick for Park in all phases. We now look forward with confidence to ending our season on a high.”