HEAD coach Andy Roberts has prescribed “protein shakes and extra weights” for his Warrington RUFC side after they were outmuscled in another defeat.

Giving away a weight disadvantage of around a stone per man – at times two stone per man in the backs – Warrington were eventually overwhelmed by hosts Altrincham Kersal.

The visitors had led 8-0 early on thanks to Jack Stride’s try and Luke Gilooley’s penalty, but a second-half touchdown from Sean Callendar was their only other score.

“We were really up against the cosh today,” admitted Roberts after the game.

“It’s probably protein shakes and extra weights sessions this week before we meet promotion contenders Wilmslow next Saturday.”

Warrington pressurised the Altrincham line early and relentless forward momentum eventually earned them a penalty, which Gilooley duly converted.

It got even better for them when storming runs from Callendar and Phil Lynch got them into the home 22, from where Stride broke several tackles to touch down.

The home side replied by using their immense forward power to drive over in the corner before another try on the stroke of half time sent Warrington into the break two points adrift.

A yellow card for Warrington 10 minutes after the interval proved to be the catalyst the hosts needed to break clear and they eventually stretched to a 16-point advantage.

Callendar touched down following great work from the Warrington forwards as the visitors briefly threatened a comeback, but two late Altrincham scores put gloss on the scoreline.

Warrington are at home to high-flying Wilmslow on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the seconds started out by helping opponents Fylde out of a sticky situation but ended up on the losing side.

Their visitors arrived with only 12 players so to even up the contest, Warrington lent them three of their own players.

They were not able to lend them any props so scrums went uncontested, and Fylde showed their gratitude by running out 29-12 winners.

“Speaking as a prop, I was disappointed that we had to play uncontested scrums but at least everybody got a game,” Warrington skipper Dan Hastings said.

“We did not make the most of our pressure but it is a bit ironic that we lost when we gave Fylde three men.”