Midlands Regional Academy u19s 12 Warrington Wolves u19s 56

Warrington Wolves enjoyed a hard-earned victory at the Midlands Regional Academy in an Under 19s friendly at the University of Nottingham on Saturday.

Wolves were not at their best in the first half but improved significantly after half time and ran in a total of 12 tries against a Midlands side that had spells where they created the Wolves plenty of problems.

The scoring was opened in the second minute when Wolves full back Ben Stansfield was held just short following a good run and a quick play the ball saw the ball reach centre Jack Fox, who forced his way over wide out on the right.

Scrum half Harry Reardon converted.

Five minutes later back-to-back penalties for the Midlands put them close to the Wolves line and after Ethan Priest had been held just short fellow prop forward Trae O’Sullivan powered over at the right of the posts.

Scrum half Harry Chapman added the conversion to level the scores.

Just before the midway point of the half the Wolves regained the lead when a short ball from stand off Brad Stanway put centre Charlie Phythian over from close range on the left.

On the half hour hooker George Moore burrowed over from dummy half to score at the side of the posts. Reardon added the conversion.

Right on the stroke of half time Wolves substitute Connor Adams ran the ball on the last tackle and put Phythian over wide out on the right to give his side a 20-6 lead at the break.

Three minutes into the second half Wolves moved further ahead when impressive substitute Jack Dulhanty forced his way over at the side of the posts.

Reardon converted but four minutes later good work by the Midlands side saw the ball moved along the line and then back inside to Priest, who powered over from 10 metres out to score on the left. Chapman added the conversion.

Wolves hit back shortly afterwards when good work by second row Davey Dixon close to the line saw him offload to Stansfield and then from a quick play the ball substitute Pat Moran weaved his way over at the side of the posts.

Reardon converted and then almost immediately Phythian went over on the left to complete a fine hat trick.

On the hour both sides were temporarily reduced to 11 men following a flare up; Midlands had Chapman and O’Sullivan sin binned along with Wolves’ Reardon and second row Ellis Gillam.

It was Wolves who coped better as the ball was swept along the line and the extra space allowed Fox to score in the right corner, before turning provider as he found winger Richard Harris who went over for a debut try in the right corner following his move from London Broncos.

Wolves were now in complete control and a chip into the in-goal area by Stanway saw winger Declan Kay collect and score wide out on the left.

Then a fine weaving run by second row Davey Dixon stretched the Midlands defence and the ball was sent out wide to Fox, who went over for his hat trick on the right that also brought up the half century.

On the stroke of full time Wolves had a scrum on the Midlands line and Stanway went down the blind side and put Adams over in the right corner.