PLAYER/COACH Andy Roberts hailed a “much-improved” Warrington display as his side ended a run of three straight defeats with a 37-28 win over Leigh on Saturday.

Roberts’ side ran in five tries at Walton Lea Road, with one try each for Paul Thompson, Ben Hockenhull, Elliot Johnston, Nathan Beesley and Tom Green.

Hockenhull also added three conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 17 points and Roberts was understandably happy to secure the bonus-point win.

“We had an excellent first half but lost the plot a bit in the second period,” he said.

“However, we were much-improved from last week and I am obviously pleased to have secured the win and the bonus point.”

Hockenhull booted over a penalty from inside the Leigh 22 to open the scoring early on before the Warrington forwards began to hit their stride.

Danny Fleming’s strong carries were a particular highlight, while prop Clem O’Rourke and second rower Josh Downes back him up with excellent support.

The first try wasn’t long in coming as hooker Thompson lurked on the left wing and drove over despite pressure on him from the visiting defenders.

Leigh looked dangerous on the break, however, and full-back Elliot Ryan caught the Warrington defence off guard with a kick and chase for a converted try to reduce the lead to one point.

Hockenhull added another penalty to stretch the lead to four points before crossing for a try five minutes later when Tom Arnold’s clever kick was knocked back to him by Beesley.

Then, after Josh Riley had stolen a Leigh line-out in their own 22, Johnston finished off good work from his fellow forwards for his side’s third try, with Hockenhull’s conversion giving the hosts a 25-7 half-time lead.

However, Leigh emerged for the second half a different team and had reduced the lead to just four points within 10 minutes, with Iain Wood and Wayne McCabe both going between the posts.

With the game going from end to end and nerves jangling, Beesley’s try in the corner from a well-timed Riley pass was most welcome for the hosts.

Back came Leigh again and Ollie Farley crossed for a converted try to reduce the gap to just two points.

Prop Green calmed the fears of the home side by crashing over between the posts with five minutes left, leaving an easy conversion for Hockenhull.

Warrington, eighth in the North One West table, travel to Vale of Lune on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Fylde Thirds 13 Warrington Seconds 29

COACH Shaun McDermott hailed an “impeccable” second half as his side came away from the Lancashire coast with a victory.

The win at Fylde was their second in a row and third in four games.

McDermott said: “Another great team performance. We took time to find our feet but turned in an impeccable second-half performance.”

Nick Pennington grabbed Warrington’s first try from the base of a scrum, with Pat Roberts adding a conversion before the hosts replied with two penalties.

John Gilhooley crossed for a converted score to stretch the visitors’ lead before the Fylde pack drove over to reduce the gap to one point at the break.

Warrington dominated from then on and Gilhooley crossed twice more to complete a hat-trick, with Roberts adding a penalty and a conversion.

McDermott’s side host Liverpool Collegiate seconds on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Warrington Thirds 7 Glossop Seconds 26

A YOUNG Warrington thirds side put in “an excellent performance” in defeat to Glossop, skipper Tony Fretwell said.

Trailing the league leaders 19-0 at the break on Saturday, Dan Reid made sure Warrington’s efforts were rewarded as he crossed for a try converted by Cameron McNeil.

“Considering the relative positions in the table, this was an excellent performance from a very young side,” Fretwell said.

“We should probably have kicked more to relieve pressure but this is all part of a learning curve for some excellent young players who are making the transition from Colts Rugby to Senior Rugby.”

The thirds travel to Aldwinians on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.