Birkenhead Park 31 Warrington 24

WARRINGTON fell short of a second-half comeback in their defeat at Birkenhead in the North One West Division on Saturday, after going in at half time 21 points down.

The visitors started to apply the pressure from the kick-off and Keiron Hughes soon got his name on the scoresheet when he took a delayed pass from Andy Roberts 40 yards out and raced over the line.

Luke Wood added the conversion but Park replied almost immediately with a converted try.

The hosts were able to withstand the Warrington pressure and took the lead with a penalty, before their strong pack increased their advantage to 10 points with a converted driving maul try.

Two more converted tries before half time saw Birkenhead take a 21-point lead into the break and after their strong start, Warrington looked beaten.

However, the second half saw the away side play some of their best rugby of the season. Despite living on scraps of possession, they attacked at every opportunity and their spirit of adventure eventually saw Steve Pilkington cross in the corner with Wood converting from the touchline.

But Warrington then suffered problems up-front when prop Jon Bennett had to leave the field with a broken wrist and the visitors continued to pile on the pressure.

Hughes claimed a second try of the game and again, Wood converted from the touchline.

The final 10 minutes saw Warrington totally in control and they were unlucky not to score again when Andy Roberts intercepted before being hauled down 10 yards out.

Warrington head coach Darren Abram was disappointed to have fallen short of the comeback but says he is proud of his team’s efforts.

“The margin between winning and losing is often very small in this league,” said Abram.

“Park knew they were in danger of losing in those last ten minutes and I am very proud of every player in our 18-man squad.”