Gareth Widdop’s debut ends in disappointment as two late scores from Wakefield edge them to an 18-8 victory over Warrington.
A nail-biting opening first 40 took place, with neither side able to go over the line for a four-pointer. Josh Woods looked to have crossed on the 29th minute, but knocked on prior to grounding the ball.
The only points came two minutes from the break as, after a failed restart, Stefan Ratchford converted a penalty from half-way to edge Warrington into a slender two point lead.
HT: Wakefield 0-2 Warrington
Spectators didn’t have to wait as long for the opening points of the second half, with Ryan Hampshire levelling the scores through a penalty just four minutes after the break.
Warrington’s ill-discipline allowed Ryan Hampshire to convert a simple conversion from just two metres out, shifting the advantage into Wakefield’s favour. A further penalty came on the 58th minute as Ryan Hampshire stretched the hosts’ lead to four-points.
The try-scoring dead-lock was finally broken after three quarters of the match had surpassed, with Stefan Ratchford going over to cross and then convert his own kick, allowing Warrington a minimal lead of just two points.
However, this lead was quickly cancelled out by back-to-back tries from Wakefield. Matty Ashurst somehow managed to dot the ball down out-wide, and Tom Johnstone raced his way 55 metres to score a wonderful, and potentially match-winning, interception score.
FT: Wakefield 18-8 Warrington
Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, King, Mamo, Charnley, Austin, Widdop, D. Clark, Cooper, Philbin, Currie, Murdoch-Masila, Clark; Subs: Akauola, Davis, Walker, Burrell
Wakefield: Jowitt, Tupou, Lyne, Arundel, Johnstone, Miller, Hampshire, Kopczak, Wood, Tanginoa, Pitts, Ashurst, Westerman; Subs: Wood, Tangata, Batchelor, Navarrette
A full report and photos from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of League Express