Altrincham Kersal 19 Warrington 20

CRAIG Byrne’s last-minute try ensured Warrington avoided throwing away a 12-point lead at struggling Altrincham Kersal.

The hosts had roared back after Andy Roberts’ side appeared to be comfortable and seemed destined to win the game before Byrne’s intervention.

Warrington came under intense pressure but, with their first foray into Altrincham territory, took the lead when Pat Roberts’ break ended with Tom Wood putting Josh Riley over, with Luke Gilooly adding the extras from the touchline.

After repelling another spell of home pressure, Tom Arnold extended Warrington’s lead to 12-0 at half-time when he got on the end of a sweeping left-to-right move.

The second half saw Altrincham turn their pressure into points with a converted try from a set scrum.

Two more driving scores, one of which was converted, saw them take a seven-point lead but Gilooly slotted a penalty to reduce the gap.

Then, with the final whistle looming, Byrne barrelled over from close range to give Roberts’ side the narrowest of victories.

Warrington, seventh in the North One West table after back-to-back wins, welcome second-placed Birkenhead Park to Walton Lea Road on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Warrington 2nd 13 Wirrall 2nd 23

WARRINGTON fell to what skipper Shaun Yoxhall called “the best side we have played all season.” on Saturday.

Will Maudsley scored a brilliant solo try, but that was the only time they crossed the whitewash.

Danny Griffiths added a conversion and two penalties, but three Wirral tries condemned Warrington to defeat.