In a feisty Millers Homes cup tie at Walton Lea Rd, Warrington owed their progression into the next round to a doughty first half defence, their mastery of the elements in the second half and, not least, to a superb hat trick from Luke McEvoy. Although there were other outstanding individual efforts, especially from young Danny Fleming, a name to look out for, overall, this was an excellent team effort, where patience in the first period was rewarded with points in the second.

Oswestry were first to open their account when they turned over ball in the Warrington 22  and their lively inside centre juggled the ball before setting off on a 60 yard run to the line before off-loading for a try which was converted.

With the strong wind at their backs, Oswestry started to control the game but Warrington put up stiff resistance in all phases to deny the visitors further points. In fact it was Warrington who were unlucky not to score when Macker used the touchline before cutting inside, only to be hauled down ten yards out with support on each side. Fortunately, the winger made up for his mistake ten minutes later when he touched down in the corner to make the half time score 5-7.

From the re-start, Warrington’s stand-off McDermott used the strong following wind to best advantage. An attempted clearance kick from Oswestry was fielded by McEvoy, who was suddenly presented with an unimpeded run to the line, which he exploited to touch down. McDermott converted.

Shortly afterwards, Shaw fielded an Oswestry kick-ahead and made ground before off-loading to McEvoy and the full back ghosted through the defence to score and allow McDermott an easy conversion. Ten minutes later, McEvoy again demonstrated his surgical finishing skills, when he fielded another attempted clearance to slice though the defence for his third try.

Oswestry came back with two consolation tries through their forwards but Warrington had already done enough.