Warrington 26 Douglas 22

ANDY Roberts conceded his Warrington side “relaxed too much” as they came perilously close to surrendering a commanding lead on Saturday.

They blew Douglas away in the first half and led 26-3 at the break, but the Isle of Man side stormed back after the interval.

Warrington clung on to preserve their unbeaten home record and Roberts called on his young side to learn from what happened in the second half.

“Douglas are a good experienced side and perhaps we relaxed too much at half time,” he said.

“We are a young side and I hope we will absorb lessons from this game.

“Our scrummaging was good and with the ball, we are as good as anyone.”

Warrington stormed out of the traps, with hooker Alex Stuart racing over after intercepting a pass before Tom Wood scored in the corner, with Darren Norman’s conversion taking the score to 12-0.

Douglas kicked a penalty to narrow the gap, but Steve Pilkington extended his excellent try-scoring record before a nice switch move between Wood and Kieran Hughes led to the latter crossing between the posts. Norman converted on both occasions.

However, that would be the last time Warrington scored as the islanders laid siege to their line after the break.

They scored three tries to close within a score of a remarkable comeback, but the hosts held on.

Warrington rise to seventh in the North One West ahead of a trip to Broughton Park on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Broughton Park 2nd 40 Warrington 2nd 7

SKIPPER Craig Byrne admitted his young side were “really up against it” as Warrington’s seconds were hammered by Broughton Park.

The heavier, more experienced hosts made their advantage pay as they ended the first half 21-0 up and they would eventually see out a comfortable victory.

Byrne scored his side’s only try as he bustled over in the corner – with Shaun McDermott converting – and he said he was pleased with how the youngsters in his side competed despite the result.

“We were really up against it,” he admitted.

“Park had too much firepower up front, but I was pleased with the performance of the pack generally.”