Warrington 41 Altrincham Kersal 27

WARRINGTON’S player-coach Andy Roberts hailed a “very pleasing” result after his side prevailed in an entertaining contest with Altrincham Kersal on Saturday.

He crossed for a try along with Max Caldwell, Sean Callendar, Elliot Johnston, Cam Lewis and Ben Hockenhull, who also added five goals at Walton Lea Road.

Warrington have now recorded back-to-back wins and Roberts says they will go into Saturday’s game at high-flying Birkenhead Park, kick off 3pm, full of confidence.

“A very pleasing result,” he said.

“After our slow start to the season we are now eighth in the league, but joint-sixth on points, separated only by points difference.

“Next week we go to Birkenhead Park, who are currently in second place but I am sure, on this form, we can come away with a win.”

The hosts flew out of the traps when Ollie Giles, playing his first game this season, shrugged off four tackles before handing on for Hockenhull to scramble over.

Altrincham were dominant at the scrum and the pressure from their forwards told with two tries to give them a slight cushion.

However, Roberts then crashed over from Luke Johnston’s pass and Hockenhull’s conversion narrowed the gap to two points.

Hockenhull kicked a penalty to nudge Warrington ahead before Caldwell danced past two tacklers, handed on to Nathan Beesley, who returned it for Caldwell to score.

A penalty and another try took Altrincham into a 22-20 lead, but Warrington hit back in style through Callendar’s try after good work from Johnston and Lewis.

Johnston crossed under the posts to cap a superb shift in the front row before he was involved again in their final score when Lewis squeezed over in the corner.

Altrincham had the final say with a fourth try, but Warrington were not to be denied.