Vale of Lune 34 Warrington 14

COACH Darren Abram is taking heart from a season that has seen Warrington 'blood a lot of youngsters', despite defeat on Saturday.

The visitors conceded 14 points within 15 minutes and then leaked another two tries when reduced to 14 men before half time.

It leaves Warrington ninth in the Northern Division North One West.

“Once again, it was a very young Warrington side out there,” said Abram.

“Injuries and our lack of strength-in-depth have obviously contributed to our fall-off in performance as the season comes to an end.

“However, we can take heart in the fact that we have blooded a lot of young players and this will stand us in good stead for next term.”

It took the powerful Vale pack three minutes to win a scrum on the halfway line and their centre took advantage of weak Warrington tackling to score between the posts.

Nathan Beasley was then on hand to make a try-saving tackle on the Vale winger after an intercept.

But Vale took advantage of the territory with a quick tap penalty after a scrum infringement and crossed again.

The visitors gave a fleeting glimpse of their true form when Steve Pilkington destroyed the Vale defence with a scintillating break, only to be halted five yards out.

However the ever-present Tom Wood was on hand to continue the move and score. Luke Wood converted.

Speedster Max Caldwell then broke through on the right, but his inside pass, which gave Duncan Rickard a free run to the line, was adjudged forward.

Warrington were put on the back foot with the sin-binning of Matt Connelly as Vale added a flurry of tries to put the game beyond the visitors.

Luke Johnson crossed for a late consolation from a tap penalty to boost Abram's spirits post match.