They say that a week is a long time in Rugby and Warrington’s performance at Winnington on Saturday was light years away from the champagne rugby they played in the first half of the previous week’s game against Wigan. In fact, at times, they approached the current standards of the national side, with play that could only be described as turgid.  

However, Warrington started well, with the backs showing flair and invention, Newans and Rickard kicking well and the forwards both driving and defending well. In fact, one turnover from Mike Hadden would have been worth the admission money alone if any had been charged. Unfortunately, Park scored against the run of play when their astute stand-off dummied through and off-loaded to his inside centre who strolled over.

Warrington replied with a Newans penalty but this was to be their only score. Continuous pressure saw Park score their second try when their robust open side flanker picked up a loose ball and fed his mobile hooker who bullied his way over to make the half time score 12-3.

Warrington tried a new half back pairing for the second half, with Hennessy and McNair replacing Hughes and Newans. Although these are, individually, very fine players, there was a break down in communication between 9 and 10 throughout the match and this had much to do with the team’s inability to spark.

Warrington also were unable to guarantee possession on their own line-out ball and this too contributed to the stop/start character of their game. Park had no such problems and they put the result beyond contention when their backs, who increasingly gained in confidence, created space for their left winger to touch down in the corner.