Warrington 19 Burnage 0

ANDY Roberts praised a “magnificent” defensive effort from his Warrington side as they kept Burnage off the scoresheet.

At the other end, the trusty boot of Ben Hockenhull did most of the damage at Walton Lea Road on Saturday as 14 of the hosts’ points came from the kicking tee.

Neither defence was breached until the dying embers of the game, when Kieron Hughes crossed, and head coach Roberts admitted the scoreline may have been harsh on the visitors.

“Make no mistake, this was not an easy win and perhaps the score flattered us,” he said.

“Burnage are a good side and it took us 80 minutes to crack their defence.

“By the same token, our defence was magnificent today.”

Nathan Beesley had a try ruled out for the hosts after the referee spotted some crossing in the build-up, but Hockenhull did boot Warrington into the lead when Burnage were penalised 20 yards out.

Hockenhull added another three points to the total 10 minutes later before another penalty on the stroke of half-time took Warrington into a 9-0 lead.

As Burnage tired, the hosts started to take control and when the visitors infringed again, Hockenhull’s aim was unerring.

With Roberts’ side 12 points ahead, the game was all but won before Hughes added a final flourish by dancing through the Burnage defence to race home from 30 yards out.

Warrington remain third in the North One West table and host Blackburn, the side one place and three points behind them, on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Warrington 2nd 16 Northwich 2nd 7

A LATE try from Pat Roberts sealed victory for Warrington’s seconds against a strong Northwich outfit.

Ben Dixon had kicked three penalties to give the hosts a nine-point lead at the break, but the visitors powered over from a driving maul after the interval.

The conversion cut the gap to just two points, but Roberts had the final word when he finished off a nice move involving Matt Rockey and Tony Fretwell.

Warrington travel to Burnage on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.