Warrington 2nd XV 8 Blackburn 2nd XV 39

The visitors started the game at pace and on the attack. Aggressive running from the pack with quick recycle paid dividends in the 10th minute when the elusive Blackburn full back, who was to prove a thorn in Warrington’s side for the rest of the match, went over under the posts. Warrington now had their chance to attack and gained a penalty on the Blackburn 22 which scrum half Ben Dixon slotted. However, Blackburn kept up the pressure with their big forwards gaining easy yards aided by some poor tackling from the Warrington defence.

Thankfully, Warrington’s set piece tended to have the upper hand and excellent technique from an undiminished Sam Bennett at tight head more than neutralized his mountainous opponent. In the 30th minute Warrington resisted two scrums on their 5yard line but failed to find touch with their penalty clearance kick when Blackburn were penalized for boring. Blackburn won the line out and swept back for another try out wide which went unconverted.

Young centre Tom McEniff, in his debut at open age rugby showed great promise both in defence and attack but although he made ground on numerous occasions, support was too often slow to arrive, possession was lost and the visitors were again in control. Winger Cameron Roberts also making his debut in senior rugby made deep inroads into the Blackburn 22 but these forays were few and far between and well contained by the Blackburn defence.

Just before half time, the Blackburn full back strode over between the posts finishing off a patient build up from the visitors pack.

Any hopes of Warrington staging a second half comeback were quickly dashed, when Blackburn ran in a try in the 5th second half minute when Warrington failed to find touch with their clearance kick. 5 minutes later Warrington pulled one back when some rare quick ball got to centre McEniff in some space. He sped 25yards down the touchline and managed to get the ball down in the corner before being dumped into the corner flag. Unfortunately, this was the last time Warrington threatened the Blackburn line. Despite some exemplary tackling from captain Yoxall and Josh Riley, returning to the fray after a long lay off, the vistors added two more tries and a penalty to run out comfortable winners.

Captain Yoxall admitted “ We were well beaten by a slicker, fitter side but our set piece was good and I was particularly impressed by the performance of McEniff and Roberts on their senior debuts.”