Eccles 28 Warrington 33

SHADES of last season’s form were evident as Warrington survived a late comeback to end a run of four losses in succession in a performance hailed as “a great improvement” by player/coach Andy Roberts.

The visitors ran in five tries to move into ninth place in the North One West table.

They broke the deadlock when Tom Arnold collected Tom Wood’s long pass to race over the line before Eccles levelled the scores with a breakaway try.

The Warrington packed showed its muscle shortly after to force a penalty try and regain the lead, which was extended after the break as Arnold again crossed between the sticks, leaving Wood an easy conversion.

The hosts crossed from a quick-tap penalty almost immediately after, but Roberts capped his cameo performance at stand-off by picking up Wood’s inside ball to touch down.

Efficient recycling off the ball led to good yards gained by Tom Greene and Josh Downes before Danny Fleming claimed the touchdown to give Warrington a seemingly unassailable 19-point lead.

However, they did not bank on an Eccles fightback and they capitalised on an error at the Warrington scrum to score between the posts.

The conversion cut the deficit to 12 points, but time started to run out for the hosts which meant their fourth try with the last act of the game was immaterial.

After their first win since the opening game of the season, Roberts’ side now enjoy a weekend off as the league takes a break.

Their next fixture sees them entertain Altrincham Kersal on Saturday, October 22, kick off 3pm.