In an intense game, where the final score in no way reflected how the match was played, Warrington were beaten on paper but could take a lot of positives from a strong performance. Although this was their second loss in a row, Warrington could still take consolation from the fact that they totally outplayed their opponents up front and demonstrated sterling defence throughout.

The first twenty minutes were played at breakneck pace but Warrington defended magnificently to deny the home side any hint of a score. Their forwards started to take control, especially in the front row where Thompson took two against the head in the first fifteen minutes. At this stage it was anybody’s game, and Warrington had the best of the territorial advantage but against the run of play Anselmians managed to create space for their speedy left wing, who touched over in the corner. The try was converted by the trusty boot of Irish international Simon Mason.

Warrington still maintained territorial dominance and, on the stroke of half time, were unlucky not to score when Newens created a great position on the right hand side of the pitch and the ball was slickly moved across the back line but unfortunately, Johnson dropped the ball in the act of scoring on the stroke of half time.

Anselmians increased their lead just after the restart when their pacy left winger touched down to allow Mason a difficult conversion. Warrington replied with a Newens penalty but that was to be the end of their appearance on the scoreboard. Anselmians then scored two further tries, one through a forward drive and then through a backs’ move, straight from the training paddock. A Mason penalty completed the scoring but Warrington could take consolation from the fact that they had competed in all phases and had proved superior in many.

As coach Dave Rockey commented, “It was obviously disappointing to lose but we showed once again that we can compete with all the sides in our league up front. We also showed the strength of our defensive abilities and I look forward to the Wigan game, which is probably the most important game of our season.”