Warrington round off a successful season with a hard-fought win over Wilmslow

WARRINGTON defied the unfamiliar surroundings of Sandbach and injuries to record an impressive and hard-fought win over a strong Wilmslow side.

In a superb finish to the season that started with a win over the same opposition, Warrington ensured they would finish fourth in the North One West.

Tom Wood grabbed their opening try after a break from Kieron Hughes, who suffered a twisted ankle in the build-up and had to be replaced, had put them in a strong position.

Wilmslow responded when scrum-half Josh Whitely burrowed over before Hughes’ centre partner, Max Walker, was also carried off injured.

His replacement, the evergreen Kevin Jones, was making his last appearance for the club and he set up the second try with a crunching tackle which forced Wilmslow to infringe, and Ben Hockenhull went over from the resulting ruck.

The visitors started the second half strongly and Tom Williams crashed over to edge them 12-10 in front, but Warrington were soon ahead again when Paul Thompson touched down.

Hockenhull’s conversion put them five points ahead before he converted Luke Johnstone’s score to stretch the lead to twelve.

A late Harry Patch try in the corner brought Wilmslow back into it and they pounded the Wire line in a bid to force a draw, but the hosts held on to finish the season in style.

Warrington 2nd 12 Wilmslow 2nd 36

WARRINGTON’S Seconds did not fare as well as Wilmslow came away with a comfortable win to secure promotion for themselves.

Mark Tickle’s interception try had opened the scoring for the hosts, Wilmslow levelled just minutes later and didn’t look back.

Their relentless attack brought them a second try midway through the half followed by a third on the stroke of half-time after a mix-up in the Warrington defence.

There was little respite for the hosts after the break, with Wilmslow stealing their line-out ball consistently to drive with their well-drilled pack.

Warrington held out for a while, but eventually succumbed to three more tries as the league leaders opened up an unassailable lead.

The hosts did have the last laugh through Ben Hart’s try on the stroke of full-time, but the damage was long since done.

Warrington 3rd 19 Christleton 1st 31

A LATE collapse saw Warrington’s thirds lose out to Christleton despite leading with ten minutes remaining.

Tries from Craig Byrne and Nick Grimshaw put them 14-12 up at half-time and Dan Johnston crossed to make it 19-17 in the latter stages, but the visitors roared back to take the win.