Warrington JC 42 Sedgley Park JC 3
Sedgley Park arrived with just the bare minimum squad of 15 players due to injuries. With no subs, not for the first time this season, they arrived knowing they had a mountain to climb.
Our hosts were allocated the 1st team pitch for the game which was in very good condition. It was a bright although cold afternoon and very little, if any breeze which given any opportunities would favour the kickers today.
It took just 3 minutes for Warrington to state there intentions when they took advantage of some sloppy defending and put down for the first try. The conversion was missed and Sedgley Park began to settle slightly although some errors where made which for the time being they got away with unpunished. But Warrington kept up the pressure and some wide passing caught our defence out to allow the second try in, which was then converted.
At 12 – 0 it was clear that a well drilled Warrington side were intent on winning the title today but Sedgley kept their heads up and tried to battle hard against a solid defence. On 21 minutes Sedgley were awarded a penalty which Tom Bedlow converted, so at least they were off the mark. But just 6 minutes later Warrington broke from centre and a determined run towards the corner resulted in an excellent try. Not surprisingly the difficult conversion was missed but by now it didn’t seem to matter as the tries were coming at regular intervals. Just 5 minutes later and the same again…22 – 3.
Just before half-time and yet another try. The visitors by now must have been getting frustrated and nothing they did seemed to get them anywhere, but they carried on until the break. Warrington knew by this time they had it in the bag although they started the game in confident mood as well.
HT 27 – 3
Second half began and during the first few minutes Sedgley players seemed confused and appeared to lack enthusiasm, perhaps feeling overwhelmed by the opponents. Within 4 minutes of the re-start Warrington continued where they left off by scoring another unconverted try.
Despite the scoreline Sedgley didn’t give up and for a short period battled hard. Callum Smythe had a good run through the centre of the field but encountered trouble.Some good pressure followed but they just couldn’t gain much from it as the Warrington defence tightened it’s grip.
The passing in the Warrington backs was impressive and not unlike the passing you might see from a good Rugby League side, and maybe they’ve learned a thing or two from the town’s Rugby League outfit.
The final try of the game came from some nice passing and a clever little dummy under the posts. Remarkably, the “easy” kick was missed much to the amusement of the rest of the Warrington team, but it didn’t matter.