In a match which demonstrated the truth of the old cliché “a game of two halves” Warrington returned to winning ways by showing pace and class in the first period followed by doughty defence in the second to overcome old rivals Wigan. Although the winning margin was only 9 points, this could have been significantly more if first half chances had been converted.

Perversely, it was the visitors who opened the scoring, when their lively scrum half dropped a goal after sustained forward pressure. However, with the introduction of Lythgoe alongside Hughes in the second row, Warrington’s pack has now acquired some much-needed bulk and soon started to provide the backs with good ball. This was soon turned to advantage by Warrington’s pacey backs and a beautiful move, straight from the training pitch, saw Newans move the ball to exciting new recruit Johnston, who delivered a perfectly balanced short ball to Jones to allow the veteran winger to surge through the gap and touch down under the posts. Newans converted.

Warrington were now well and truly on top and were unlucky not to go further ahead when a dropped last pass put a premature end to a superb handling movement. Two more scoring chances were wasted through a combination of poor final execution and pure bad luck. Fortunately, Warrington’s senior back once again came to the rescue, when Kevin Jones followed up a kick ahead from his own 22 and beat the chasing back row for speed over 80 yards to score in the corner.

The second half developed into a war of attrition, with the nuggety Wigan side playing most of the game in the Warrington half but being unable to add to their tally. Although the home side could not recapture the magic of the first forty minutes, they did showcase their defensive capabilities and still managed a few moments of exciting attack. Coach Dave Rockey commented after the game, “This was a pleasing result in a lot of ways. It was pleasing to see our backs combine so well. It was pleasing to see our pack bossing an opposition pack. And above all, it was pleasing to beat Wigan!”

Congratulations….

…to Sean McDermott on his massive penalty kick during the second half of the game against Winnington Park. What is truly amazing about the kick, which Cunners paced out at 54 yards, is that the ball actually went between the posts and not over the corner flag, which always seems to exert a magnetic influence over Sean’s drop kicks. Evidently, as he left the club, Sean was seen smiling to himself and heard muttering “sixty yards, sixty yards.”  No doubt as he drifted off to sleep, this had changed to “eighty yards, eighty yards.”

…to new recruit Mike Wainwright for completing his first ever game of Rugby Union. Evidently, he was talked through the game by Duncan Rickard, according to Duncan, as he seemed a little apprehensive about the laws. When this was mentioned to Mike’s sponsor, Dave Hartill, after the game, Dave’s brusque reply was, “Laws! Laws! I’ve played both codes and I still have no idea of the laws of Union. My boy done well.” We wish Mike all the best and hope that he enjoys his new lease of life. (I hope that Dave has told him that he will have to buy his own boots, pay annual and weekly subs and pay for his own ale after a match.)

… to Kevin Jones, who continues to defy the ravages of time and the frailties of an ageing body to play in the backs with the ones. Kevin is convinced that it is now time to make that giant leap into the forwards but the veteran is still putting it together with the pace men.
… to Matt Rockey, for his perseverance in sticking with a side which is beaten every week with scores of around 90 – 3. Evidently, the word is that he will soon be back with the lads, where we only suffer defeats of the order of 30- 3.  

… to Steve Tickle, for regularly amazing opposition front rows. Visiting props often look at Steve at the first scrum and give a wry smile. Not many are smiling after eighty minutes. Well done Mighty Mouse!!