Warrington Lose To Wilmslow But Show Great Spirit

Wilmslow 47 Warrington 22

Warrington were well-beaten at Wilmslow but the final score did not reflect what was an enjoyable, competitive game. Once again, Warrington conceded early tries but responded well to get back within four points of their opponents at one stage and the young, developing side with have learnt valuable lessons in defeat.

After a good opening spell, Warrington were caught napping and snappy handling from Wilmslow saw them score a try in the corner. This was converted. Five minutes later, a strong Wilmslow scrum provided the possession for a second converted try and Warrington found themselves 14 points in arrears.

However, the young Warrington backs now started to show a bit of self-belief and a scintillating break from Jack Stride was unlucky not to end with a score. But the score came in spectacular fashion when Max Caldwell picked up a loose ball inside his own half and showed some of his old magic by scoring a brilliant individual try close to the posts. Unfortunately the try was not converted. Warrington returned to the attack immediately but, once again, a promising attack was thwarted.

Wilmslow then profited from a refereeing oversight, when a blatant knock-on was unpunished and they exploited the mistake by increasing their lead to 21-7. Warrington replied with a Darren Norman penalty and they were unlucky not to further reduce the Wilmslow lead, when Roma Zheng, in his first senior game just one day after his 18th birthday, showed just what a precocious talent he is by slicing through the Wilmslow defence and handing onto Max Caldwell. Unfortunately, Wilmslow just managed to snuff out the danger and the sides turned around with the score at 21-10.

Ten minutes into the second period, Warrington put together their best running rugby of the match. It started when the ubiquitous Alex Stewart won yet another turnover in his own half and man-of-the match Jonny Evans strode thirty yards before handing onto Ollie Hudson. The young tyro made ground before feeding Jack Morgan, who came inside to finish off in style under the posts. Darren Norman converted to take Warrington within four points of their opponents.

But any hope of a surprise win were short-lived as Wilmslow muscled over from a line-out drive and then took advantage of their temporary numerical advantage to score another converted try, followed by a try far out. Warrington managed to bring some respectability to the scoreline when Roma Zheng showed once again why he is a Sale Academy player. An astute switch in direction from Ben Dixon saw the talented winger take a pass and then totally bamboozle the Wilmslow defence with a combination of pace, power, sidestep and guile to score a glorious try in the corner. Unfortunately, it was now too late for a Warrington revival and Wilmslow closed out the game with a final, sixth try.

“We lost with spirit,” was the summing up of coach Andy Roberts. “However, this team is growing with every game and with skipper Josh Downes now back in harness, things can only get better.”