Reserves win at Warrington

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a victory at Warrington Wolves.
• The Warriors scored six tries at Victoria Park to widen their lead at the top of the table to three points.
• FT | Warrington Wolves Reserves 22-34 Wigan Warriors Reserves.

Wigan Warriors maintained their unbeaten start to the Reserves season with a 34-22 WIN OVER Warrington Wolves AT VICTORIA PARK.

An electric start to the contest saw the Warriors convert four tries inside 20 minutes before a fifth was added for a 30-0 half time lead.

Despite a fightback from the hosts after the restart, Harry Higham’s second try of the match extended the Warriors’ points total out of Warrington’s reach.

Report

The Warriors went close to breaking the deadlock inside two minutes when Harvey Makin carried just short before Higham was held up in the corner as Warrington stood firm to keep the score level.

The hosts were unable to keep the Warriors out on seven minutes when a strong carry from Sam Eseh Jr was followed up by Ryan Brown who powered over from close range. Jack Farrimond added the extras for a 6-0 lead.

Wigan doubled their advantage from the restart after Finlay Irwin initially broke the line before he offloaded to Higham on the wing who burst over. Farrimond successfully kicked the two points from the touchline.

Warrington struggled to deal with the Warriors’ power through the middle as a series of carries from Eseh Jr, Brown and Tom Ratchford quickly progressed Wigan to inside the opposition half. Play was worked along the line to Farrimond whose delicate kick was grounded by Finlay Yeomans to make the score 18-0.

The Warriors’ dominant start continued as an inch-perfect 40/20 from Ratchford gained attacking territory. Makin almost powered over between the sticks on the first tackle before Ratchford dummied his way over from dummy-half as Farrimond added the extras.

The hosts regained possession as a forwards carry almost resulted in a try on the final tackle, however, the Warriors quickly regained control as Irwin broke through once more before he fended off three tacklers to ground. Farrimond kicked the two points with the final action of the half to give Wigan a 30-0 lead at the break.

Warrington restarted the stronger of the sides and in return they were rewarded with their first points of the match when play was worked along the right edge to Ewan Smith who spotted a gap to score. Joe Hickey’s kick rebounded off the post as the score remained 30-4 with 42 minutes on the clock.

The hosts quickly scored a second try when quick hands led to an overlap on the left wing as James Duffy dived over to score, however, Warrington were unable to reduce the points difference from the tee.

Neither side were able to put points on the board for the next 10 minutes until a change of ball speed resulted in play being worked wide as Noah Hodkinson picked out Higham on the wing who crossed for his second. Nathan Lowe took over kicking duties after Farrimond was replaced at the break, however, his kick went narrowly across the posts.

Two quick-fire tries after the hour reduced the points difference once more when forwards Scott Parnaby and Jamie Reddecliff each crashed over, however, Warrington were only able to convert one of the tries.

The hosts scored the final points of the match on 75 minutes when a move straight out the scrum resulted in Duffy going over for his second of the clash. Zack Gardner, who had taken over kicking duties and was successful with his first attempt, was unable to add the extras as the Warriors recorded a 34-22 victory.

Warrington Wolves: Zack Gardner, Frank Sergent, Ewan Smith, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, James Duffy, Joe Hickey, Adam Whalley, Jamie Reddecliff, Lewis Barratt, Noah High, Peter Scott, Scott Parnaby, Bobby Shingler.

Interchanges: Sam Marshall, Logan Raughter, Tom McKinney, Ste Antrobus.

18th Player: Daniel Regan.

Tries: Smith (42′), Duffy (45′, 75′), Parnaby (62′), Reddecliff (68′).

Goals: Hickey (0/3), Gardner (1/2).

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Josh Cartwright, Finlay Yeomans, Nathan Lowe, Harry Higham, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Ryan Brown, Tom Ratchford, Sam Eseh Jr, Finley Beardsworth, Finlay Irwin, Harvey Makin.

Interchanges: Taylor Kerr, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, George O’Loughlin.

18th Player: Trent Kelly-Duffy.

Tries: Brown (7′), Higham (10′, 56′), F. Yeomans (14′), Ratchford (17′), Irwin (38′).

Goals: Farrimond (5/5), Lowe (0/1).