Warrington’s unbeaten run ended after 354 days (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington’s unbeaten run ended after 354 days

11:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

Broughton Park 46 Warrington 0

WARRINGTON tasted the bitterness of their first defeat for almost a year when they were comprehensively beaten by a committed and on-form Broughton Park on Saturday.

The magnitude of the loss was totally unexpected as Warrington fielded their strongest possible side, with the exception of their mid-field general, Andy Roberts, still recovering from his fractured cheekbone.

There might have been some mitigation as one or two of the Warrington players were shaking off the after effects of flue.

It could be pointed out that Warrington suffered no luck throughout the match, but luck is a fickle lady and Warrington have enjoyed their fair share of fortune throughout the season.

However, in truth, this was a bad day at the office and Warrington were beaten in all phases by a Park side which showed a much greater desire to win.

Warrington began well and put the Park line under pressure for the opening ten minutes.

Eventually, the pressure paid off and they were awarded a penalty but Tom Wood was just wide with his attempt.

Park opened the scoring five minutes later with a penalty kicked after Stephen Pilkington held on after becoming isolated in his 22.

Warrington came back with some good open rugby but overlaps were scorned and they were unable to cross the try line.

Broughton Park suffered no such oversights and scored their first try when the ball was shipped across the field for the winger to score in the corner.

The home side crossed the line shortly afterwards for a converted try and a fortuitous kick-ahead saw them score their third try after just 30 minutes.

A forwards’ try just before half time made the score 29-0 at the turn-around and Park had already collected the bonus point.

Park’s next score followed a comedy of Warrington errors, as player after player went down to secure a Park kick-ahead, only to knock the ball closer to their own try line and eventually, the try was scored.

Warrington gained one of a few minor victories of the afternoon when they managed a strike against the head at a set scrum but were unable to take advantage.

The home side finally completed the scoring with a forwards’ effort and then with a second try for their speedy right winger.

A surprisingly up-beat coach, Steve Riley, said after the game: “First of all, I don’t believe that a good side becomes a bad side in the space of a week.

"Secondly, I think I learned more from this match than I have learned from all the matches we have played this season.

"Park exposed flaws and weaknesses which have been hidden while we have been winning so easily.

"Hopefully, we can now work to correct those before we face our next big challenge at West Park next week.”