EAGLE 17 - 3 WARRINGTON 2ND XV

Although a home fixture for Warrington, the game was played at Eagle’s ground at Thornton Road as parts of the Stockton Lane pitch were still frozen. Adding an extra frisson to the game were the presence of a number of former Warrington players turning out in Eagle colours, including Danny Griffiths, Craig Byrne, Will Maudesley and Ben Harte.

Warrington opened the scoring in the first five minutes catalysed by a break from centre Danny Newens. Carried on by Luke Turner, then in the winger slot, this earned a penalty 35m out. Luke Little made no mistake with a difficult kick against the wind.

Although playing with a stiff breeze at their back, Eagle shunned the kicking game opting instead for a short passing game in the forwards. Warrington for the most part dealt effectively with this tactic with back rower Austin Carr particularly committed. The heavy pitch did not encourage an expansive game and Warrington too had their share of making the hard yards with prop Jon Bennett a willing runner.

Thirty minutes into the game Warrington had a narrow escape when Eagle were bundled into touch on the try line, courtesy of some good defence work by Andy Almond. Relief was short lived, however, as Eagle retained possession, sustained pressure on the Warrington line and through the redoubtable Byrne finally crossed the whitewash. 5-3.

Just before the interval Eagle again threatened the Warrington line gaining 30m from a rolling maul but the half-time whistle cut short any further pressure.

HT 5-3

Eagle started where they had left off, however, grinding their way yard by yard up the pitch. The reward for this period of good recycling was a second try in the early minutes of the second half. 10-3.

Warrington struck back and using the wind and the boot of stand-off Little forced a 5m line-out. Unfortunately, despite Warrington’s continued pressure, the only result was scrum half Ollie Hudson being held up over the line.

Eagle again worked their way into Warrington territory and in the sixty fifth minute were awarded a penalty for a Warrington off side. A quick take found Warrington slow to react and earned another try. 17-3.

From the restart Warrington gained possession and some neat handling put Carr over the line but again the verdict was held up. Warrington maintained the field position and a 5m scrum offered the darting Hudson an opportunity but once more the verdict was held up.

Warrington then tried to move the ball wider but execution was not quick enough and the long pass brought no rewards. Although Warrington camped on the Eagle line for the last 10 minutes of the game, during which Mark Tickle also suffered a “held up” verdict, Eagle’s dogged defence denied them any further reward.

FT 17-3

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC