Warrington fight back for share of points at Blackburn

COACH Andy Roberts was happy to earn two points at Blackburn after Warrington overturned a 19-5 deficit to go third in North One West.

“We took some time to get going,” said Roberts. “However, this was a totally different Blackburn outfit from the side we played earlier on and a draw was probably a fair result.”

It was the visitors who opened the scoring when phase after phase eventually led to Tom Wood’s long pass sending full back Steve Pilkington over in the corner.

But an improved Blackburn enjoyed some rampaging runs and exploited their heavy pack with a push-over try in the corner, converting to take a two-point lead.

The lead was soon increased to nine when from a scrum in the Warrington 22 and the Blackburn centre found space to squeeze over.

The second half saw Warrington regain some composure, but it was Blackburn who increased their lead with a try in the corner.

 However, the best try of the game came with just five minutes left on the clock.

Picking up a loose ball in their own 22, the Warrington backs combined to create a sweeping move which saw the ball transferred from right to left and back before Kieron Hughes eventually touched down.

This made the score 19-17 and with regular kicker Darren Norman substituted, it was left to scrum half Ben Hockenhull make a touchline conversion and steal a share of the points.

 Warrington’s second team were 22-6 winners against their Liverpool Collegiate counterparts.

 The hosts had the game against Liverpool Collegiate virtually sewed up by half, having subdued the heavier Collegiate pack and crossed the line four times.

“Although we eased off in the second half, we had done more than enough in the first period,” said player-coach Paul Thompson.

Max Caldwell demonstrated his finishing skills after just six minutes when he crossed in the corner and was soon on the scoresheet again following good hands from the backs.

Caldwell could have celebrated a hat-trick in the 30th minute but unselfishly passed inside to Craig Byrne to make it 15-0.

Collegiate struck two penalties, before Thompson picked up from a ruck and went the distance, Shaun McDermott converting.

Coach Lee Graham was delighted with Warrington thirds’ performance as they saw off Winnington Park seconds 28-3.

A quick tap penalty saw Sam Nichols scurry over from short range for the first, Dan Griffiths converted, followed by Tony Fretwell.

Further tries in the second half came as Nichols completed his hat-trick, with Griffiths adding the extras.

Eagle’s second team went down 19-5 against Northwich thirds.

The visitors scored two tries in quick succession after putting pressure on the Eagle scrum early on.

Eagle did find their feet and began to attack at the scrum to provide a good forward platform.

But it was the hosts’ defence that changed the game. With Northwich continuing to press the Eagle line, they were held up time after time, scoring just once in the remaining 60 minutes and matched by a well-worked Eagle try.