Rochdale 17 Warrington 23

ONCE again, Warrington found themselves playing catch-up rugby and once again they came from behind to seal their fifth win in five games.

A fourth try bonus point just eluded them and they now lie second in North One West behind Kendal, although they enjoy better points’ difference.

The first 10 minutes saw both sides probing for weaknesses in the other’s defence but each team quickly set out its stall out to play running, attacking rugby.

Ironically, it was the Rochdale pack which drew first blood when they drove over after a five yard scrum.

The conversion gave them a 7-0 lead.

At this stage, Warrington were being out-gunned up front and had to live on scraps of possession but their defence, as usual, was stalwart.

Eventually, Tom Wood found the ball in his hands in his own half and put in a superb kick which found touch 10 yards out.

A scrum followed the lineout and Max Walker, who was awesome throughout, made ground before handing on.

The ball flashed to Nathan Beesley and the young speedster managed to cross in the corner.

Warrington then increased their lead with a penalty from Darren Norman and came back on the attack when Jamie Thompson charged down a kick, picked up and found Steve Pilkington in support.

The full back made good ground before the ball was hacked on but Rochdale just won the foot race to the line.

Warrington then came back with the try of the match, when flowing play from the backs saw a lovely, back-door offload from Josh Riley find Tom Wood, who handed onto Kieran Hughes and the little wizard skipped over to make the half time score 13-7.

An early penalty gave Warrington a nine-point cushion and they were now taking more than their fair share of possession, especially through Sean Callendar in the lines.

Warrington were reduced to 14 men when Callendar was sin-binned for 10 minutes.

Rochdale exploited their numerical advantage by attacking through their forwards and Warrington withstood a series of five yards scrums before submitting to the inevitable as Rochdale drove over.

The conversion took the score to 16-14 and the game was now wide open.

However, Warrington regrouped to shut down every Rochdale attack and Tom Wood, who is revelling in his new role at stand-off, constantly mixed his game with passes, kicks and breaks to ensure that Warrington remained on the front foot.

Eventually, the game was sealed by a moment of magic from Jamie Thompson, who picked up in the Rochdale 22 and spirited his way over the line.

Darren Norman added the extras.

Rochdale kicked a penalty to claim the losing bonus point in the last minute of the game, but the victory belonged to Warrington.

“This was always going to be a hard test for us,” said coach Andy Roberts.

“Rochdale finished third in North One East last season and they are a difficult side to beat on their home ground.

“It’s a pity we didn’t manage the bonus point but the win alone was more than satisfactory.”