Warrington Wolves 46 Widnes Vikings 40 - post-match reaction

In their first game under the England legend’s guidance, a youthful Wire side held off neighbours Widnes Vikings in a high-scoring encounter at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

New signing Max Wood was among three Warrington players to cross twice, with Tom Whitehead and Cai Taylor-Wray also touching down for braces.

Cai Taylor-Wray races clear to score his second try (Image: Mike Boden)

Brad Dwyer also capped a lively display with a try as The Wire produced a strong first-half display to go into half time with a 34-16 lead, with Luke Thomas also scoring.

It allowed the hosts to recover from a nightmare start which saw them go 10-0 down before they had even touched the ball, with Max Roberts and Matt Fleming touching down for the Vikings.

Kieran Dixon then scored just after Wood had crashed over to leave Widnes 16-6 up, but Warrington then started to gain control.

Thomas barged over before Taylor-Wray's eye-catching first levelled the score, with Dwyer then following up his own kick to put the hosts into a lead they would not relinquish.

Brad Dwyer touches down in the first half (Image: Mike Boden)

Whitehead then scored a quick brace before the break and when Wood touched down just after the interval, The Wire were 40-16 up.

Then, the Widnes fightback started as former Warrington back-rower Sam Wilde crossed twice after Dixon had touched down again, but a superb second score from Taylor-Wray eased nerves.

Matty Fozard dragged Widnes back to within six points, but that proved to be the final action.

Warrington Wolves 46 Widnes Vikings 40 - post-match reaction

> Five Wire players who stood out for us in first pre-season friendly

> THE MORNING AFTER: Key talking points as youngsters vanquish Vikings

> A further update on Stefan Ratchford, Rodrick Tai and Josh Thewlis injuries

> The post-match thoughts of Wire assistant coach Martin Gleeson

> WIRE SOCIAL: High praise for youngsters after win over Widnes

> Re-live all of the action from The Halliwell Jones Stadium as it happened here

Match facts

Pre-season friendly

Friday, January 26, 2024

Warrington Wolves...46 Widnes Vikings...40

Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Jake Thewlis, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, Arron Lindop, Matty Russell; Tom Whitehead, Leon Hayes; Luke Thomas, Brad Dwyer, Gil Dudson, Adam Holroyd, Nolan Tupaea, Max Wood. Subs: Zack Gardner, Lucas Green, Ben Hartill, Frank Sergent, Sam Marshall, Tom McKinney, Pat Irwin, Logan Raughter, Noah High

Vikings: Lloyd Roby; Ryan Ince, Matt Fleming, Max Roberts, Kieran Dixon; Joe Lyons, Jack Owens; Anthony Walker, Matty Fozard, Harvey Wilson, Rhodri Lloyd, Sam Wilde, Nick Gregson. Subs: Liam Bent, Mike Butt, Jordan Johnstone, Sam Brooks, Will Tilleke, Charlie McCurrie

Scoring: Roberts try, 2mins, 0-4; Fleming try, 6mins, Dixon goal, 0-10; Wood try, 13mins, Hayes goal, 6-10; Dixon try, 14mins, Dixon goal, 6-16; Thomas try, 19mins, Hayes goal, 12-16; Taylor-Wray try, 25mins, 16-16; Dwyer try, 30mins, Hayes goal, 22-16; Whitehead try, 33mins, Hayes goal, 28-16; Whitehead try, 40mins, Hayes goal, 34-16; Wood try, 50mins, Hayes goal, 40-20; Dixon try, 53mins, Dixon goal, 40-22; Wilde try, 56mins, Dixon goal, 40-28; Taylor-Wray try, 64mins, Hayes goal, 46-28; Wilde try, 67mins, Dixon goal, 46-34; Fozard try, 80mins, Dixon goal, 46-40

Penalties: Wolves 8 Vikings 7

Referee: Jack Smith

Attendance: 3,399