Sheffield Eagles 32

Warrington Wolves 18

IT was clear to see why this was John Dorahy's last match in charge of Warrington Wolves.

His squad, although having been hit with injuries, showed that it had lost the plot completely.

At Don Valley on 'Bad Friday', the Wolves found themselves 24-0 down at the break. Only a half-time roasting by Dorahy brought the side to life before it fell asleep again.

Afterwards, Dorahy, speaking exclusively to the GUARDIAN for his last post-match interview, said: "My half-time roasting of the players stirred a few hearts and we went out there for 25 minutes and showed what we were capable of. That is what really irks me. We're not far off getting it right.

"It is a matter of us turning that around and turning that 25-minute block and converting it into an 80-minute block.

"The players need to work for each other. When they are prepared to work for each other, support one another in attack, get the big tackles in, take opportunities that come their way and cut out unforced errors then they will start to win games.

"I know it is frustrating for supporters who travel long distances as they do. We do appreciate them and we hope they will continue to support us through this lean period."

Rugby executive Alex Murphy was not quite so optimistic.

He said: "There's a lack of team spirit, there seems to be a lack of ability and we are like a ship without a rudder.

"Our tackling's bad, our support play is worse. I know our confidence is low but you don't make excuses for a performance like that.

"I thought that if ever there was a team for the taking it was Sheffield. We think some players have got to sit down and say 'Am I giving Warrington a fair shout?' I have never seen as many Warrington players wearing jerseys who don't deserve to wear them.

"They've got a loyalty to the supporters, the board and to themselves. If I was a player I would not want to show my face around town ever again after the last three performances. I am absolutely disgusted. Some of these lads are not doing it."

The players were read the riot act by chairman Peter Higham on the coach journey home.

The night started badly from the kick off when fit again Paul Sculthorpe booted into touch on the full.

Then it became the Mark Aston show. The Sheffield scrum half hoofed a bomb at full back Penny and he dropped it into the path of Aston for the opening try.

Aston then created three tries in the final eight minutes of the half for Paul Broadbent, Danny McAllister and Lynton Stott. Aston converted all four.

Warrington's second half response was three tries in 13 minutes from recalled Lee Penny, Nigel Vagana and Richard Henare.

But the pressure was released when two unneccessary penalties took play to the other end and the Eagles came up with a killer second try from Stott.

Nick Pinkney crashed over before Henare caught Sculthorpe's kick for the final score.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.