Vale of Lune 87 Warrington 20

IN a battle of the North One West’s top two sides, an understrength Warrington side suffered their heaviest ever defeat.

With four key players missing and playmaker Tom Wood soldiering on despite suffering from food poisoning, Andy Roberts’ side then lost centre Tom Arnold to a serious eye injury midway through the first half.

As a result, they were unable to stop the waves of pressure from the league leaders.

Roberts admitted Saturday was “a bad day at the office” for his side.

“Every side has at least one poor game a season and this was ours, in spades!” he said.

“We must now look forward to regaining our form in the two games before Christmas.”

Warrington actually took the lead in the game when they were awarded a penalty 40 metres out and Ben Hockenhull made no mistake.

However, that was the last time they troubled the scorers before the break as Vale ran in six tries to take full command of proceedings.

The hosts added two more tries after the break before Sean Callendar finished off a powerful drive from the forwards, with Hockenhull adding the extras.

Five more tries took the hosts’ tally to 13 for the afternoon, but Warrington at least had the final word when Nathan Beesley scorched over in the corner.

Roberts’ side will look to bounce back when they welcome struggling Rochdale to Walton Lea Road on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Liverpool Collegiate 2nd 15 Warrington 2nd 33

COACH Shaun McDermott hailed an “awesome” first-half display as Warrington ran in five tries before the break.

Josh Whitely, Gavin Hastings, Ben Dixon, Tom Woodward and Will Maudsley all crossed in a superb opening period for the visitors.

The hosts scored tries either side of the break as well as a penalty, but Warrington were well worth their victory.

McDermott said: “We were awesome in the first half and we made certain of success with a gritty defensive display in the second period.”

Warrington host Kendal on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.