Warrington 26 Northwich 27

WARRINGTON ended the calendar year in agonising style as a last-gasp penalty cost them defeat against Northwich.

Nick Baldwin held his nerve to boot the visitors to victory with the last kick at Walton Lea Road in a game Andy Roberts’ side had control of.

Tom Arnold, Tom Wood and Sean Callender crossed for tries, with Ben Hockenhull adding a conversion and three penalties, but it was not enough for the hosts, who end 2016 seventh in the North One West table.

After the game, Roberts rued defensive mistakes but remained upbeat about his side’s prospects in 2017.

“This was as close as it can get,” he said.

“We should have closed the game out early on but a couple of defensive lapses and a last second, somewhat dubious infringement meant that we lost a game we should have won.

“We have learned a lot during the first half of this season. Hopefully. We can now apply these lessons for a successful 2017.”

Warrington started positively, with Hockenhull booting over an early penalty after Northwich infringed at the ruck.

That set the tone for a positive first half for the hosts and it was not long before they crossed the whitewash.

Keith Wardley jinked through and found Arnold on his shoulder for the game’s first try, which Hockenhull converted.

The home side’s lead was extended when Wood threw an outrageous dummy ten yards from the Northwich line before strolling through the resulting gap to make the score 15-0.

However, Northwich finished the half with a flourish and tries from Will Du Radnt and Robin Houghton cut the half-time lead to three points.

Hockenhull doubled the lead with a penalty early in the second half but Joel Barber crossed for a try converted by Baldwin to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Another penalty from Hockenhull snatched the lead back, but Barber crossed again to establish a narrow lead for Northwich.

However, Callendar appeared to have won it when Callender charged through from a lineout to give Warrington a two-point lead As the referee called the final play of the game, Warrington infringed by entering the ruck from the side and Baldwin stayed cool to kick the penalty and win the game.

Warrington are next in action on Saturday, January 7, when they welcome St Benedicts to Walton Lea Road, kick off 2.15pm.

Warrington Seconds 10 Broughton Park Seconds 20

DESPITE completely dominating the first half, Warrington's seconds failed to record a victory as they succumbed to their Broughton Park counterparts.

A break from Darren Norman allowed Nick Roberts to cross and allow Warrington to lead at half-time, but the visitors fought back to secure victory in the second half.