n Warrington 2nd 32

n Liverpool Uni Vet Students 34

WARRINGTON'S hopes of progressing out of Pool D in the Robinson’s Brewery Division One Jug were severely dented with this loss.

The visitors, much changed from the side which leaked 60 points against Warrington in the opening game of the season, sneaked a converted try in the closing seconds.

Chris White, two, Josh Riley and Ollie Hudson crossed for tries for a Warrington side also awarded a penalty try.

Warrington started well and a telling break from young recruit Josh McCulloch was exploited by the forwards and, eventually, White burrowed over.

The students replied quickly with a converted try provided by excellent handling.

However, Warrington were now playing to their strengths and assumed dominance.

After 15 minutes chmpagne scrimmaging saw their brute force earn them a penalty try.

Warrington’s forward superiority saw the pack drive over from five yards and Riley claimed the touchdown.

Liverpool hit back within minutes of the restart, when their lively stand-off weaved his way through a slack Warrington defence to score and reduce the margin to just five points.

Shortly before half time, Warrington increased their lead when their stand-off Ollie Hudson, in his first season of senior rugby, picked up a loose pass in the Vets’ 22 and stepped beautifully at speed to touch down between the posts and allow Max Caldwell an easy conversion.

The second half saw the visitors step up a gear, as they started to play some excellent off-loading rugby.

For a time, the Warrington defence stood up to the new challenge but when a clearance kick was charged down, the students combined well to score in the corner.

Caldwell then slotted a penalty but the students’ off-loading game was now showing dividends and two tries put them draw level at 27-27.

Warrington again replied in style to regain the lead.

Caldwell fielded a clearance kick in his own half and showed that he has lost none of his talent with a run that took the ball deep into Liverpool territory.

The momentum was continued by the forwards and a bullocking run by prop Jon Ward was halted just five yards out. Fortunately the ubiquitous White was on hand and he bustled over for his second try.

With time running out, it seemed that Warrington had ensured victory.

But the Vets had other ideas.

Running every penalty and backing up every half break, they left it to the last minute to touch down between the posts.

The try was converted, the referee blew the final whistle.

“It’s difficult to believe that we stuck 60 points on the Vets in the first game of the season,” said coach Stu Coleman.

“However, this was a totally different side and although we dominated the set piece we had no answer to their off-loading game and, perhaps, their fitness.”

Warrington will now need to defeat Birkenhead Park and hope that they in turn overhaul Liverpool University Vet Students to keep alive hopes of moving into the next round.