Warrington 26 Carlisle 21  

WARRINGTON returned to winning ways with a narrow home success against Carlisle.

The visitors could have snatched a draw at least with the very last action of the match, only for the right wing to step into touch and then knock on over the line.

“Games against Cumbrian sides, and especially Carlisle, are always hard,” said coach John Callender.

“But I was pleased with the way the lads stuck at it and especially pleased with the performance of our two debutants, Jack Hannon and Phil Lyons.

"However, next week we travel to Penrith for what promises to be yet another hard match.”

 Carlisle capitalised on a loose to force their way over in the corner, adding a penalty 10 minutes later.

Warrington came back just before half time when a surging run from Max Walker brought him within reach of the Carlisle line and, after a number of forward phases, Jonno Smith picked up a loose ball and bustled over to make the half time score 5-8.

 Josh Riley and Sean Callender delivered good ball from the lines and with the pack gaining the upper hand, the Warrington backs started to go through their paces.

After applying five minutes of pressure in the Warrington 22, particularly through a superb driving maul which was only halted inches from the line, the ball was eventually released to the three quarters and an exquisite pass out of the back door found Haydn Fraser, who crossed near the posts.

Winger Maz Caldwell then used the touch line well before putting in a kick ahead which was followed up by centre Andy Wright, who claimed the touch down. Jonno Smith converted.

Carlisle hit back with a penalty and then a try before Warrington's forwards drove the ball up-field and, from 40 yards out, Jonno Smith stepped inside and then outpaced the cover to touch down for a simple conversion.

The visitors struck last, powering over from a scrum.

Warrington's seconds lost 46-14 at Rossendale.

Tries from Mark Tickle and Craig Byrne, converted by Sean McDermott, proved too little.

“We were just out-gunned,” said coach Paul Thompson, whose side host Blackburn on Saturday.