Weakened Warrington suffer heavy defeat at Penrith

A WEAKENED Warrington suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against in-form Penrith.

The Cumbrians proved too strong in all forward phases and this provided the platform for their speedy, talented backs to score 38 unanswered points in a one-sided second half.

“We know to our cost that it’s always hard to come to Cumbria,” said coach Andy Roberts. “Hopefully, we have learnt some lessons and, hopefully, we can put them into practice when we meet Kendal, another Cumbrian side, on March 5.

"Fortunately, this will be a home fixture.”

It was Warrington who scored first, when they forced a penalty at a scrum and Tom Wood put his side ahead.

The lead was short lived as Penrith quickly replied with a try from a driving maul after a lineout 10 yards from the Warrington line.

This was the first of the home side’s four first-half tries. Each of the other three saw the forwards and backs combining well, while the third try included a superb pick up off his toes by the Penrith right winger.

Only the fourth try was converted and Warrington threatened a comeback when Wood kicked three penalties, one from 40 yards, to make the half time score 22-12.

 However within five minutes of the restart Penrith claimed a second drive-over try and then started to release their backs.

Although Warrington’s weakened scrum continued to compete and Josh Riley and Sean Callender provided good lineout possession, while Jack Hannon and Max Walker tackled well, there was no way the visitors could stem the Penrith rip tide, which saw them notch up a further five tries against an increasingly tiring Warrington.   

The seconds beat Blackburn 26-12 thanks to two tries from Craig Byrne as well as scores for Christian White and Matt Rockey.

“ This was an excellent return to form against very strong opposition,” said player-coach Paul Thompson. “We now have to maintain that form as we face a difficult away trip to Macclesfield next week.”

Starting with 14 men, Warrington soon started to dominate things in the set scrums when Paul Thompson took the first of his six strikes against the head.

However, the big Blackburn pack competed well at the turnover and their success at the breakdown saw them open the scoring with an unconverted try.

Fortunately, the late appearance of Luke Johnstone allowed Warrington to play eight men up front and they stared to impose themselves in the rucks and mauls, turning over possession through sterling work from Steve Tickle and Ryan Preston.

Their forward dominance eventually paid dividends when Craig Byrne bustled over from a five-yard scrum. Shaun McDermott converted to put Warrington ahead.

Warrington increased their lead 10 minutes later when mobile prop Christian White latched onto a sublime pass from McDermott to ease his way over.

The try was not converted but just before half time a signature elusive break from Matt Rockey resulted him touching down, which was converted and the score was 19-5 at the turnaround.

The second half was more evenly contested although Craig Byrne put the result beyond contention when he scored a typical bullocking try to finish off a series of forward drives.

Blackburn had the last word with a converted try 10 minutes from the end.

Warrington thirds edged to an 8-3 success against New Brighton seconds via a Josh Downes try and Danny Griffiths penalty. 

Due to the prevailing weather conditions, the match soon developed into a forward battle of attrition, which was won decisively by Warrington’s young pack, led superbly by veteran Mike Hadden.

It was forward pressure which led to Warrington’s first, and only, try.

A series of controlled rucks saw the home side threaten in the New Brighton 22 and this threat was realized when Josh Downes brushed off three tackles to score in the corner.

The try was unconverted and the sides turned round with Warrington five points ahead.

As conditions deteriorated, both sides struggled to play open rugby and a dour, but tense second period saw Warrington score through a Danny Griffiths penalty, while the visitors kicked a penalty of their own.

“This really was a result based on teamwork,” said acting coach John Morris.