AS 2023 comes to a close, we’re taking a month-by-month look at the sporting year that was in Warrington.
Today, it’s time to look at September – a month of endings and beginnings…
GARY Chambers continued to lead a recovery of sorts at Warrington Wolves as they sought to hang onto their play-off place.
A 66-12 thrashing of Castleford Tigers saw them well on their way to doing that, but a golden-point loss at Salford – the team threatening to snatch their top-six spot – and another narrow defeat to St Helens meant they faced a nervy Round 27.
A controversial incident in the latter game also cost them the services of Paul Vaughan for whatever would remain of the campaign – despite Saints forward Sione Mata’utia admitting he was playing for time as Vaughan dragged him to his feet, the Wire man was slapped with a four-match ban, sparking outrage at the club and in the wider game.
Victory at Huddersfield secured their play-off spot, but a sixth-place finish gave them a mountain to climb in order to reach Old Trafford and they duly succumbed 16-8 at St Helens to be knocked out in the eliminator round.
That game proved to be several players’ last in a Wire shirt, with Daryl Clark and Peter Mata’utia saying their farewells while Thomas Mikaele, Greg Minikin and youngsters Jack Darbyshire and Aiden Doolan also left the club.
Meanwhile, Rhiannon Dixon added another belt to her collection – having picked up the Commonwealth lightweight title earlier in the year, the Great Sankey boxer produced a near-faultless display to see off former world title challenger Katharina Thanderz to win the European belt.
Having extended her professional record to 9-0, the 28-year-old put herself firmly in contention for a potential world title shot in 2024.
In football, Warrington Rylands were in fine form in September, winning five of their six matches to move into promotion contention in the Northern Premier League.
However, it was the FA Cup that arguably provided their stand-out moment of the month as they thrashed FC United of Manchester 4-0 away from home to reach the third qualifying round for the first time in their history.
Over at Warrington Town, September proved tricky as their promising start to life in the National League North hit the buffers, they were knocked out of the FA Cup and saw promotion-winning goalkeeper Tony Thompson leave the club.
However, the end of the month saw reason for optimism, with former Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom signing on and helping them end their poor run by beating King’s Lynn Town on his debut.
September also saw Lymm Rugby Club get their first ever National League season started, with their first victory at their new level coming against Tynedale on September 23.
The month’s other highlights included former Padgate High School pupil Dan Bonner winning his second Muay Thai world title and Grappenhall Cricket Club securing their top-flight status in the Cheshire County Cricket League.
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