16th May 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 70 EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 22

 

Warrington Wizards bounced back to winning ways when they outclassed a very determined East Lancashire Lions side in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool Stadium.

 

The Wizards came into the game on the back of four straight defeats but some outstanding attacking play proved to hot for their opponents as they ran in thirteen tries in a commanding performance.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the tenth minute when second row Matt Wilson made a great break down the middle that split the Lions defence and he found stand off Alan Kilshaw on his inside who put loose forward Alan Reddecliff over under the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres added the conversion.

 

Warrington increased their lead five minutes later when centre Ian Pirrie intercepted a Lions pass and raced ninety metres to score wide out on the left, and then almost immediately a fine interchange between Ayres and Wilson created room for Reddecliff to go over in the left corner. Ayres landed a fine touchline conversion via the right hand post.

 

Just before the half hour more fine work by Wilson down the left sent Pirrie away and a quick play the ball saw lively substitute Billy Sheen step round the defence to score under the posts, and five minutes later Wilson broke through down the left and found Ayres on his inside to score under the posts. Ayres added the extras to both tries.

 

Three minutes before the break Reddecliff raced thirty metres down the middle and found Sheen on his shoulder to score under the posts, Ayres converted and then right on the half time whistle an East Lancashire penalty in the Wizards twenty metre area saw stand off James Muir find centre Ben Williamson who raced over to make the interval score 34-4 in the Wizards favour.

 

The Wizards started the second half like a steam train and registered three quick tries; firstly good work from a scrum in the Lions twenty metre area saw full back Troy Alison brush off three defenders to score and then a break by Reddecliff saw him send Sheen on a fifty metre dash to complete a fine hat trick before the impressive Wilson caused havoc once again in the Lions defence before putting Kilshaw over under the posts. Ayres converted the latter two scores to bring up the half century.

 

Wizards captain Reddecliff then completed his hat trick when he scored from close range, Ayres converting but the Lions then hit back when centre Rav Daniels scored in the left corner after second row Martin Bradshaw had been held up over the line.

 

On the hour a superb fifty metre break by Wizards prop forward Matt Clarke punched a hole in the Lions line and his long ball found Ayres who went over wide on the left, but the visitors refused to give up and a quickly taken penalty on the wizards line saw winger Simon Middlehurst force his way over on the right.

 

The Wizards gained a penalty in the Lions half that put them in good field position and a short ball from hooker Hayden James put prop forward Lee Rushton over under the posts. Ayres added the extras, before the Lions came back downfield and scored an excellent try when Williamson raced thirty metres to touchdown. Muir added the conversion.

 

Slick hands saw the ball move the width of the field and Wizards centre Tom Bradbury broke out of a tackle before finding prop forward Matt Clarke who forced his way over, but there was still time for the Lions to notch the final try of the game when a quick penalty saw Muir score at the side of the posts to make the final score 70-22 to the Wizards.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards inspirational second row Matt Wilson. He was very well supported by Billy Sheen, Alan Reddecliff, Warren Ayres and Matt Clarke.

 

WIZARDS

 

Troy ALISON, Scott LYON, Tom BRADBURY, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Lee RUSHTON, Hayden JAMES, Matt CLARKE, Matt WILSON, John WELCH, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Billy SHEEN, Nick SETTLE, Mike LEICESTER, Gareth BARRON.

 

WIZARDS

 

Mark ROUGHNEEN, Troy ALISON, Stuart PIRRIE, Darren FORSHAW, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Craig CORNELIA, Andy FORBER, Graham HEALEY, Lee RUSHTON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Nick SETTLE, Nick WOODWARD, Gareth BARRON.

25th April 2009 - NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS 52 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 22

 

An understrength Wizards side suffered their second defeat on the spin when league newcomers Nottingham Outlaws deservedly took the spoils in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Wizards had the perfect start when they opened the scoring in the second minute. A good ball from loose forward Alan Reddecliff put full back Mark Roughneen away down the left wing and he drew the cover towards him before finding winger Adam Gorman on his inside to score. Scrum half Warren Ayres added the conversion.

 

Nottingham replied six minutes later when stand off Paul Calland received the ball from a scrum on his own thirty metre line and he broke through and raced seventy metres to score in the left corner, and then a penalty close to the Wizards line saw Outlaws prop forward Simon Perry power over in the right corner to give his side a lead that they would not relinquish.

 

Three minutes later Nottingham stretched their advantage when Calland ran the ball on the last tackle and put Perry over for a try that Calland converted, but then the Wizards hit back when the ball was swept out wide and centre Darren Forshaw combined with Roughneen to put winger Troy Alison over wide on the right.

 

The rest of the half belong to the home side with hooker Rob Brown crossing for a try that was goaled by Calland and then centre Myles Rutherford crossed for two unconverted tries to give his side a commanding 28-10 half time lead.

 

Nottingham went over again five minutes into the second half when quick hands saw the Wizards defence stretched and winger Phil Lucas scored in the corner, but then five minutes later Warrington gave themselves hope when hooker Craig Cornelia spotted a gap and went from acting half back before finding stand off Alan Kilshaw whose inside ball put Forshaw over. Ayres added the conversion.

 

The Outlaws soon hit back when a Wizards handling error on their own line was seized upon by loose forward Simon Morton who picked up the loose ball and scored. Calland added on the goal points to make the score 38-16.

 

The Wizards scored a consolation try just after the hour when on the last tackle Kilshaw pretended to take the ball from acting half back but in fact left it for Reddecliff to pick up and score in the left corner, but again Nottingham came straight back and Brown spotted a gap on the outside and raced clear to score.

 

Nottingham second row Ben Radford went over for his side’s tenth try which Brown converted and then in the final minute centre Tom Tsang scored to bring up the half century and give the Outlaws a deserved 52-22 victory.

 

Best for the Wizards were loose forward Alan Reddecliff, winger Adam Gorman, prop forward Matt Clarke and hooker Craig Cornelia.

 

WIZARDS

 

Mark ROUGHNEEN, Troy ALISON, Stuart PIRRIE, Darren FORSHAW, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Craig CORNELIA, Andy FORBER, Graham HEALEY, Lee RUSHTON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Nick SETTLE, Nick WOODWARD, Gareth BARRON.

 

11th April 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 18 BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 36

 

A very good encounter between two quality sides went the way of the visitors as they defeated the Wizards at Wilderspool in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon.

 

Bramley controlled the first half capitalising on some Wizards indiscipline, but the Wizards fired back early in the second half before the Buffaloes assumed control once again and ran out victors albeit by a somewhat flattering margin.

 

The Buffaloes opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a penalty goal from stand off Paul Drake after the Wizards had been punished for holding down, but then Bramley were temporarily reduced to twelve men when second row John Elliker was sin binned for hitting out.

 

Bramley extended their lead just before the midway point of the half when Drake went down the blind on the last tackle and put winger Aidy Manley over in the left corner and then four minutes before the break Drake added a penalty following a high tackle by the Wizards and right on the half time whistle a further Drake penalty for ball stealing gave his side a 10-0 interval advantage.

 

Wizards got back into the game five minutes into the second half when good work close to the line by loose forward Alan Reddecliff paved the way for second row Matt Clarke to twist out of a tackle and force his way over. Scrum Warren Ayres converted, and then five minutes later a Wizards penalty put them close to the Bramley line and prop forward Scott Davidson powered over to level the scores.

 

The Wizards had stand off Billy Sheen sin binned for dissent on fifty five minutes but they took the lead for the first time four minutes later when Ayres landed a penalty following a high tackle.

 

Bramley hit back shortly after the hour mark when a penalty on the Wizards line saw substitute Nathan Anderson force his way over from close range. Drake added the conversion and then a penalty soon afterwards after the Wizards were found guilty of ball stealing.

 

The Buffaloes pulled clear when a quick play the ball caught the Wizards flat footed and hooker Graham Harrison scooted over and then made the game safe four minutes from time when Anderson raced over from thirty metres. Drake added both conversion.

 

The visitors rubbed salt into the Wizards wounds two minutes from time when an inside ball from Drake on the last tackle put Elliker through huge gap to score under the posts.

 

The Wizards gained a consolation try in the final minute when Reddecliff went straight from the base of the scrum to score under the posts. Ayres goaled but it was the Buffaloes who were celebrating a hard fought 36-18 win.

 

Best for the Wizards were loose forward Alan Reddecliff, second row Matt Clarke and prop forward Scott Davidson.

 

After the game Head Player/Coach Alan Kilshaw said, “I cannot fault the effort of the player’s today but we were ill disciplined with and without the ball. We came up with too many dumb plays at the wrong times, putting ourselves under needless pressure which meant that we had to defend for very long periods and it eventually took it’s toll in the final quarter. We will fix our problems on the training field over the next few weeks and come back stronger.”

 

The Wizards now have a week off before travelling to league newcomers Nottingham Outlaws on Saturday 25th April.

 

WIZARDS

 

Graham HEALEY, Darren FORSHAW, Stuart PIRRIE, Shaun GILMOUR, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Scott DAVIDSON, Craig CORNELIA, Andy FORBER, Matt CLARKE, Lee RUSHTON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Troy ALISON, Scott CULLEN, Gareth BARRON.

5th April 2009 - CARLISLE CENTURIONS 14 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 70

 

Warrington Wizards got their league season off to a flying start with a comprehensive victory at Carlisle Centurions on Sunday afternoon in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National.

 

The much changed Wizards with ten new signings in their line up produced a spectacular display of rugby league and ran in twelve tries to leave their hosts shell shocked on their return to the division after a four year absence.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the seventh minute when a clever chip over the defence by stand off Billy Sheen saw prop forward Scott Davidson react quickest to collect and score. Scrum half Warren Ayres added the conversion and then ten minutes later loose forward Alan Reddecliff went down the blind side straight from the base of a scrum and fed Sheen who pit winger Darren Forshaw over in the right corner.

 

Straight from the kick off Reddecliff sent winger Adam Gorman on a fifty metre run down the left wing and he found centre Shaun Gilmour on his inside to score, and then a great break down the middle by full back Graham Healey split the Centurions defence and he put Sheen over under the posts. Ayres added both conversions.

 

The purple patch continued when hooker Craig Cornelia went on his own from acting half back to score and good work from Gilmour put Ayres away and he found Sheen on his shoulder to race over. Ayres goaled both times to make the score 34-0 after twenty five minutes.

 

The home side to their credit never gave in and were rewarded when a penalty close to the Wizards line saw centre Steve Potter force his way over despite the attention of four defenders, and two minutes before the interval Carlisle prop forward Steve Jackson sent full back Adam Pate away and he split the Wizards defence and a quick play the ball saw Potter cross for his second try to make the half time score 34-8 in the Wizards favour.

 

The Wizards came out of the blocks strongly in the second half and two minutes into it Reddecliff ran the ball on the last tackle and broke clear to race forty metres and score under the posts and then five minutes later another Reddecliff break paved the way for Sheen to race over and complete his hat trick. Ayres continued his fine form with the boot by converting both tries.

 

Carlisle had Jackson sin binned for dissent and from the resulting penalty Cornelia went on his own from acting half back to score his second try and bring up the Wizards half century and on the hour a superb long ball from Ayres found Gilmour out wide and he put Gorman over in the left corner. Ayres tagged on the extras to both touchdowns.

 

Warrington substitute Gareth Barron powered his way over from a penalty close to the Carlisle line, Ayres goaling, but then five minutes later Centurions substitute Andy Holcroft went on his own from acting half back to score under the posts. Hooker Chris Harris converted.

 

In the closing stages Carlisle had stand off Craig Stalker sin binned for punching and then Jackson was sin binned for the second time along with Wizards prop forward Andy Forber after a skirmish and the Wizards finished on a high when quick hands between Reddecliff and Healey put Ayres over for a try. He goaled himself to make it eleven from twelve attempts and complete a fine 70-14 victory.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards stand off Billy Sheen. He was very well supported by Darren Forshaw, Alan Reddecliff, Warren Ayres and Craig Cornelia.

 

WIZARDS

 

Graham HEALEY, Darren FORSHAW, Lee RUSHTON, Shaun GILMOUR, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Scot DAVIDSON, Craig CORNELIA, Andy FORBER, Matt CLARKE, Scott CULLEN, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Alan KILSHAW, Nick WOODWARD, Gareth BARRON.

 

25th January 2009 - LEEDS MET CARNEGIE 36 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 6

 

Warrington Wizards went out of this season’s Carnegie Challenge Cup at the 1st Round stage after a 36-6 defeat at tournament sponsors Leeds Met Carnegie on Sunday afternoon.

 

The inexperienced Wizards put up a very brave performance against a Leeds side who have been the top university side for a number of years and are currently unbeaten in the ‘super six’ competition.

 

Warrington started the game strongly and had a couple of chances to open the scoring but the final pass went to ground and the chance was gone and they were made to pay on the half hour when Leeds centre Jason Mossop made a break and found substitute Liam Duffy who carried the move on before passing back to Mossop who went over for the opening try. Stand off Ian Gordon added the conversion.

 

The Wizards got off the mark soon afterwards when second row Chris Mellor landed a penalty goal after Leeds Met were caught offside, but then right on the stroke of half time a short ball from Gordon put Mossop over on the left to give the University side a 10-2 interval lead.

 

Four minutes into the second half Leeds winger Rob Hill made a break down the left and he found Mossop in support to go over under the posts for his third touchdown, and then Hill went seventy metres to score unopposed. Gordon added both conversions.

 

Leeds stretched their advantage when second row Kris Hodgson went over for an unconverted try after more good work from Gordon, and then a superb delayed pass from scrum half Jymel Coleman put centre Nick Walker through a gap to score at the side of the posts. Loose forward Mark McKinley tagged on the extras.

 

The Wizards were reduced to twelve men on seventy minutes when lose forward Alan Reddecliff was dismissed for dissent, but almost immediately they were rewarded for their efforts when prop forward Gareth Barron used his strength to power over from close range.

 

The scoring was completed in the final minute when Leeds Met capitalised on a Wizards handling error on their own ten metre line when Hodgson picked up the loose ball and put Hill over to complete a 36-6 win for the home side.

 

Man of the Match for the Wizards was prop forward Gareth Barron. He was well supported by fellow prop Andy Forber and second row pair Matt Clarke and Chris Mellor.

 

After the game player/coach Alan Kilshaw said, “Obviously we are disappointed to have gone out of such a great competition but we are preparing for our league season that starts in April and with limited training together prior to the game match fitness was always going to show. If we had taken our chances in the first half we could have got have got our noses in front at the break and made the scoreline look a bit better but it was still a good effort from the boys considering we had six teenagers in the line up. Leeds Met are a quality outfit who train together four times a week so for us to stick with them for so long was a massive effort.”

 

WIZARDS

 

Billy SHEEN, Daniel EVANS, Graham HEALEY Matt TAYLOR, Troy ALISON, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Liam DUFFY, Andy FORBER, Matt CLARKE, Chris MELLOR, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Nick WOODWARD, John MOLPHY, Keiran LACEY.

 

13th September 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 24 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 32 

 

An absolutely epic The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National Elimination Semi Final play off tie went the way of reigning Champions Featherstone Lions at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they put the Wizards out for the second successive year.

 

The lead changed hands several times in a topsy-turvy encounter, but it was the visitors who took their chances at the crucial time to progress through to the Elimination Final at the expense of a shell shocked Wizards.

 

Featherstone opened the scoring in the seventh minute when the ball was swept along the line to winger Ben Hall who went clear before passing back inside to centre Steve Lawrie who went over for an unconverted try, and they increased their advantage six minutes later with a penalty goal from scrum half Danny Giles.

 

The Wizards hit back just before the midway point of the half when after second row Jono Smith had been held just short, a quick play the ball saw scrum half Billy Sheen spot a gap and go on his own to score under the posts. Stand off Chris Mellor converted to level the scores.

 

Three minutes later a penalty close to the Lions line saw hooker Warren Ayres put Smith over to give the Wizards the lead, and Mellor tagged on a penalty goal shortly afterwards, but the Lions hit back when second row Danny Huby forced his way over after good work from centre Stuart Davies.

 

The Wizards had substitute Matt Taylor sin binned for a late tackle on Giles, and Giles slotted over the subsequent penalty to square the score, and then right on the stroke of half time great work down the right by winger Adam Hinchcliffe split the Wizards defence and he found second row Brian Sutton in support to score. Giles goaled to give the Lions a deserved 18-12 interval lead.

 

Nine minutes into the second half after Wizards centre Stuart Pirrie had been held just short, a lovely flat pass from Ayres put loose forward Alan Reddecliff over under the posts to give Mellor the simplest of conversions to level matters once again, but then four minutes later the visitors regained the lead once again when stand off Richard Frankland stepped over from close range. Giles converted and then added a penalty after the Wizards had Reddecliff sin binned for dissent.

 

On the hour Featherstone had hooker Dean Gamble yellow carded for deliberate offside on his own line, and the Wizards made them pay when Mellor powered over with four men on his back. He converted himself to reduce the deficit to just two points.

 

Four minutes from time the Lions secured a memorable victory when Frankland pounced on a Wizards mistake to race forty metres and score under the posts. Giles goaled, and although they had centre Stuart Davies sin binned in the final minute for dissent they were left to celebrate a deserved 32-24 win that keeps their hopes alive of retaining their crown.

 

The Wizards Man of the Match was awarded to second row Jono Smith. He was very well supported by Chris Mellor, Matt Taylor and Matt Clarke.

 

After the game Joint Player/Coach Matt Wilson was understandably gutted at the result. He said, “It just wasn’t our day. Featherstone were the better team and fully deserved the win. It is very disappointing to go out at this stage after doing so well during the season. This has been our best season since the Wizards were formed but unfortunately we have not played well enough on the day to progress through. I cannot fault any of the players who have been tremendous all year. We have a lot of very talented players and I’m sure they will be bounce back and be an even bigger force next season. It has been a privilege to have coached them.”

 

Fellow Joint Player/Coach Chris Mellor added, “We gave it everything we had, but we just couldn’t get our noses in front in the second half. Featherstone showed why they are the reigning Champions and will fancy themselves to retain the title if they can continue to play as they did against us. We will now have a few weeks rest and then get back into training in readiness for the 2009 campaign.”

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Ian STEPHENSON, Danny SHAW, Stuart PIRRIE, Paul WILSON, Chris MELLOR, Billy SHEEN, Scott DAVIDSON, Warren AYRES, Luke WORSLEY, Jono SMITH, Matt CLARKE, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Matt TAYLOR, David LEFFLER, Andy ADDISON, Gary HEWITT.

 

7th September 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 38 LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 16

 

Warrington Wizards produced a very professional performance to dispatch Liverpool Buccaneers in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference Elimination Play Off at Wilderspool Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

The game was a typical play off arm wrestle with both sides knowing that defeat would end their season and it was the Wizards who had the extra skill on show to see them through and give them a home tie next Saturday afternoon against Featherstone Lions.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the sixth minute when a great inside ball from scrum half Warren Ayres found loose forward Alan Reddecliff running at an angle to go over for a try. Second row Chris Mellor added the conversion, but the Buccaneers hit back three minutes later when the ball was swept out to centre Matt Garner who managed to twist in the tackle and score in the left corner despite having three defenders on him.

 

Just after the midway point a lovely flat ball from Ayres found Reddecliff who went over under the posts to give Mellor an easy conversion, and then on the half hour Mellor broke through some weak Buccaneers defence to score in the right corner.

 

The Buccaneers refused to lie down and a handling error by the Wizards on their own twenty metre line saw stand off Mike Forber kick the ball ahead and win the race to touchdown under the posts. Scrum half Sean Forber added the conversion, but then right on the stroke of half time a kick ahead by Ayres was fumbled by the Buccaneers and Reddecliff was on hand to complete his hat trick and give the Wizards a 20-10 interval advantage.

 

The Wizards increased their lead a minute into the second half when a Reddecliff break down the left was carried on by winger Ian Stephenson who kicked ahead and centre Stuart Pirrie won the race to pick up and touchdown. Ayres added the conversion, but then three minutes later Liverpool hit back when substitute Joel Parker powered through some flimsy defence to score under the posts. S. Forber added on the goal points.

 

Warrington reasserted themselves when a long ball from Ayres on the last tackle found Stephenson who passed back inside to second row Jono Smith and he put Pirrie away to score in the left corner. Mellor converted from the touchline to make the score 32-16 and the Buccaneers had full back Mark Yates sin binned for dissent.

 

Two minutes from time the Wizards had substitute Matt Clarke yellow carded for holding down, but a minute later a quick twenty metre restart by the Wizards saw hooker Steven Smythe send Stephenson away on a fifty metre run and he kicked ahead for fellow winger Paul Wilson to pick up and score under the posts. Mellor converted to complete a very good 38-16 victory.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards scrum half Warren Ayres. He was very well supported by Alan Reddecliff, Chris Mellor, Scott Davidson and David Leffler.

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Ian STEPHENSON, Danny SHAW, Stuart PIRRIE, Paul WILSON, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Scott DAVIDSON, Steven SMYTHE, Luke WORSLEY, Jono SMITH, Chris MELLOR, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Matt TAYLOR, Matt CLARKE, David LEFFLER, Gary HEWITT.

 

23rd August 2008 - CELTIC CRUSADERS COLTS 24 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 22

 

Warrington Wizards suffered a heartbreaking 24-22 defeat at Celtic Crusaders Colts in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon, a loss that cost them the minor premiership.

 

The Wizards went into the game in knowing a win would see them top the table, but they were unable to overcome a strong Welsh side and have to settle for third place in the league behind Bramley Buffaloes and the Crusaders.

 

Celtic opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty goal from stand off Lloyd White and then three minutes later a kick downfield by the Wizards was collected by Colts winger Greg Callow and he made a break before finding centre Gary Williams who brushed off three attempted tackles to score. White added the conversion.

 

The Wizards got back into the game a few moments later when a kick from loose forward Alan Reddecliff was fumbled by Celtic over their own line and centre Danny Shaw pounced on the loose ball to score in the right corner. Stand off Chris Mellor converted from the touchline.

 

The Crusaders then regained their authority on the game when a short ball from second row Phil Cushion put G. Williams away on a forty metre run to score with White converting, but the Wizards refused to lie down and hit back when a short ball from scrum half Warren Ayres found Reddecliff who used his strength to go over wide on right. Again Mellor added a fine conversion to reduce the deficit to two points.

 

Right on the stroke of half time, Celtic hooker Tom Burnell spotted a gap in the Wizards defence and went on his own from acting half back to race fifty metres and score. White goaled to give the home side a 20-12 interval advantage.

 

The second half was nip and tuck with neither side able to breakdown some terrific defending, but in the sixty ninth minute the Wizards gave themselves a lifeline when a lovely flat pass from Ayres put Reddecliff over. Mellor added the conversion to reduce the deficit once again to just two points.

 

The Colts responded again when centre Lee Williams scored in the left corner, but two minutes from time Wizards centre Danny Shaw used his strength to score in the right corner. Mellor’s conversion dropped just short, and despite one final attack on the Celtic line they were unable to get over and the Crusaders held on for a narrow 24-22 victory.

 

The Man of the Match for the Wizards was winger Stuart Pirrie. He was well supported by Matt Clarke, Warren Ayres, Alan Reddecliff and Steven Smythe.

 

After the game Wizards Joint Player/Coach Matt Wilson was naturally disappointed with the result, but he was very proud of his players efforts. He said, “It is gutting to fall just short at the end but I cannot fault the effort and commitment of the players. They gave it everything today and were very unlucky not to get the right result. We now have to put this behind us and get ourselves ready for the play off games. We entertain Liverpool Buccaneers a week on Saturday and that will be a difficult game, but we have confidence in our ability and hopefully we can get the win and progress through to the next round.”

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Shaun DALEY, Danny SHAW, Matt TAYLOR, Stuart PIRRIE, Chris MELLOR, Warren AYRES, Scott DAVIDSON, Steven SMYTHE, Matt CLARKE, Jono SMITH, Anthony BECKETT, Alan REDDICLIFF.

 

Subs:      Paul WILSON, David LEFFLER, Gary HEWITT, Luke WORSLEY.

 

16th August 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 40 HEMEL STAGS 16

 

Warrington Wizards kept alive their hopes of finishing as ‘minor premiers’ when they defeated Hemel Stags 40-16 in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a win coupled with Celtic Crusaders Colts losing at Bramley leaves the Wizards on top of the pile with one game of the regular season remaining.

 

The Wizards trailed in the game for long periods, but in the closing quarter they showed why they are challenging at the top of the table to run out comfortable winners against a very resilient Hemel side who will be a match for any team if they can hang onto a play off spot.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the thirteenth minute when a long cross field kick from the right corner on the last tackle by hooker Warren Ayres was weighted perfectly for winger Shaun Daley to collect and score in the left corner, but the Stags hit back eight minutes later when a loose pass by the Wizards was pounced on by scrum half Blake Kirby who raced forty metres unopposed to score in the right corner.

 

Hemel took a deserved lead just before the half hour when quick hands on the last tackle saw very impressive stand off Cameron Mann stretch over at the right of the posts. Kirby converted, but when the Wizards found touch from the kick off, loose forward Alan Reddecliff and hooker Warren Ayres combined down the blind side to put centre Ian Stephenson over in the left corner to make the half time score 10-8 to the visitors.

 

Hemel started the second half strongly and three minutes into it slick hands saw full back Kane Phillips score at the side of the posts. Substitute Sean Johnston added the conversion, but then the Wizards regained the ball straight from the kick off once again and set up good position in front of the posts for Reddecliff to go over. Stand off Chris Mellor converted to reduce the deficit to two points.

 

The Wizards took the lead ten minutes later when a lovely short ball from Ayres put full back Carl Lloyd through a gap to score in the left corner and then almost immediately a superb offload by prop forward Scott Davidson found scrum half Billy Sheen in support to score under the posts. Mellor goaled the latter to give his side an eight point cushion at 24-16.

 

The Wizards made the game safe seven minutes from time when substitute Matt Clarke made a fifty metre run down the left that was carried on by Stephenson whose inside ball found Clarke to score and then two minutes from the end great play by Sheen drew four defenders towards him before finding Lloyd who sidestepped round the cover to score. Mellor converted on both occasions to give the Wizards a vital 40-16 victory.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards full back Carl Lloyd, very closely followed by centre Stuart Pirrie. Hooker Warren Ayres and prop forward Scott Davidson were also in fine form.

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Shaun DALEY, Stuart PIRRIE, Ian STEPHENSON, Paul WILSON, Chris MELLOR, Billy SHEEN, Scott DAVIDSON, Warren AYRES, Luke WORSLEY, Matt TAYLOR, Anthony BECKETT, Alan REDDICLIFF.

 

Subs:      Troy ALISON, Matt CLARKE, Jono SMITH, David LEFFLER.

 

10th August 2008 - BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 30 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 32

 

Warrington Wizards produced a fantastic performance to defeat Bramley Buffaloes 32-30 in a magnificent encounter in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Sunday afternoon.

 

The Wizards dug deep into their reserves to conjure up a superb victory against the second placed Buffaloes and move temporarily to the top of the table, although Celtic Crusaders Colts have a game in hand.

 

The Buffaloes opened the scoring in the tenth minute when the ball went down the blind side to centre Paul Drake and his inside ball put full back Shaun Flynn through a gap to score. Drake added the conversion, but the Wizards responded shortly afterwards when loose forward Alan Reddecliff sold a dummy and went through the gap to score under the posts. Second row Chris Mellor converted from in front.

 

Just after the midway point of the half a chip through by Wizards scrum half Warren Ayres saw the ball bobble in the Bramley in goal area and centre Danny Shaw reacted quickest to touchdown in the right corner, and then six minutes later Wizards prop forward Scott Davidson made a great break and he found Ayres in support who raced over at the side of the posts. Mellor goaled the latter.

 

Bramley hit back on the half hour when they ran the ball on the last tackle and found stand off Jon Nicholls out wide who scored in the left corner, but then a 40/20 by Ayres gave the Wizards a scrum deep in the Bramley half and Reddecliff went from the base of the scrum and found Ayres who put winger Ian Stephenson over in the left corner.

 

A minute before the break a chip through by Drake bounced off a Wizards defender and he regathered to score. He goaled himself and then added a penalty goal right on half time after Wizards substitute Jono Smith had been sin binned for preventing a quick tap penalty. This made the interval score 20-18 to the Wizards.

 

Mellor landed a penalty for the Wizards three minutes into the second half, and then a forty metre break by Reddecliff was carried on by Ayres whose delayed pass found stand off Billy Sheen linking into the line to race clear and score in the right corner to give his side an eight point cushion.

 

The Buffaloes had Drake sin binned on the hour for dissent, and three minutes later Wizards centre Matt Taylor was yellow carded for the same offence. The Buffaloes were the least affected as a great offload from substitute Chris Gardner put hooker Thomas Webb over under the posts. Flynn converted to narrow the gap to just two points.

 

Whilst the Wizards were still down to twelve men the Buffaloes hit the front as a kick through on the last tackle by Drake saw substitute Daniel Lavery pounce to score under the posts. Drake added the conversion.

 

Three minutes from time the Wizards were deep in the Bramley half and the ball found the impressive Sheen who ghosted through a gap on a thirty metre run to go over for his second try at the side of the posts and level the scores. Mellor kept his composure to land the conversion and put the Wizards back in front.

 

Just before the final whistle the Buffaloes had Lavery dismissed for a high tackle as the Wizards celebrated a thrilling and richly deserved 32-30 success that blows the league table wide open.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards stand off Billy Sheen although he was run very close by loose forward Alan Reddecliff. Scrum half Warren Ayres and prop forward Matt Clarke were also in sparkling form.

 

WIZARDS

 

Shaun DALEY, Ian STEPHENSON, Danny SHAW, Matt TAYLOR, Stuart PIRRIE, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Scott DAVIDSON, Steven SMYTHE, Matt CLARKE, Matt WILSON, Chris MELLOR, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Paul WILSON, Carl LLOYD, Jono SMITH, Luke WORSLEY.

 

 

2nd August 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 60 GATESHEAD STORM 20

 

Warrington Wizards kept the pressure up on the top two with a convincing 60-20 victory over a very resilient Gateshead Storm side in The Co-operative RLC National at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

It took the Wizards a while to get going, but once they got into their stride they had to much skill for a Gateshead side who competed right up until the final whistle.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring midway through the half when centre Ian Stephenson intercepted on his own line and raced seventy metres before being hauled down, but a quick play the ball saw the Storm defence stretched and fellow centre Danny Shaw went over. Stand off Chris Mellor added the conversion.

 

Straight from the kick off a lovely ball from second row Matt Wilson sent hooker Warren Ayres on a sixty mere run and he found scrum half Billy Sheen in support who put prop forward Matt Clarke over under the posts, and then three minutes later a scrum close to the Storm line saw loose forward Alan Reddecliff go on his own to score. Mellor added both conversions.

 

Again straight from the restart, Wizards substitute Paul Wilson collected the ball and sprinted sixty metres down the middle before sending Reddecliff away to score under the posts. Mellor goaled before the Wizards had Stephenson sin binned on the half hour for a high tackle.

 

Two minutes before the break a short ball from Reddecliff found Shaw who stretched over to make the half time score 28-0 in the Wizards favour.

 

The Storm started the second half strongly and were rewarded four minutes into it when a kick through on the last tackle by scrum half Adam Houston saw centre Andrew Morris react quickest to score. Winger Gavin Houston added the conversion.

 

The Wizards hit back in style when Shaw used his strength to brush off four defenders on his way to completing his hat trick and then a great offload from M. Wilson put Shaw over for his fourth under the posts. Mellor was again on target with both goal attempts.

 

Soon afterwards, Wizards scored once again when from the base of the scrum Reddecliff went on his own to secure his hat trick which Mellor goaled, but the Storm refused to give in and G. Houston pounced on a Wizards error to race fifty metres and then a long ball from stand off Rob Jones found G. Houston who went over for his second try in the right corner.

 

Warrington brought up their half century when M. Wilson powered over after Mellor had been held up over the line, and when Mellor was held just short Sheen went on his own to score under the posts. Mellor goaled the latter.

 

A minute from time Gateshead second row Robert Roxborough broke through and went fifty metres to score a deserved try under the posts that was converted by G. Houston but then a high kick off from Mellor was collected by full back David Yii who put Stephenson over in the left corner to complete a comprehensive 60-20 win.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards second row Matt Wilson. He was well supported by Danny Shaw, Alan Reddecliff and Scott Davidson.

  

WIZARDS

 

David YII, Shaun DALEY, Danny SHAW, Ian STEPHENSON, Troy ALISON, Chris MELLOR, Billy SHEEN, Scott DAVIDSON, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Matt WILSON, Anthony BECKETT, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Paul WILSON, Bob MERRILL, Andy ADDISON, David LEFFLER.

 

 

26th June 2008 - EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 20 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 70

 

Warrington Wizards produced a fine 70-20 victory in extremely hot conditions at East Lancashire Lions in The Co-operative RLC National on Saturday afternoon running in thirteen tries in the process.

 

The Lions opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a penalty goal from scrum half Tom Handforth, and this was followed up moments later with a try from Simon Middlehurst after a fine run by stand off Anthony McNulty. Handforth added the conversion to give the home side an early 8-0 advantage.

 

The Wizards opened their account midway through the half when loose forward Alan Reddecliff made a break and found scrum half Ian Stephenson in support to race over. Stand off Chris Mellor added the conversion, and then five minutes later a lovely run by prop forward Matt Clarke found hooker Warren Ayres on his shoulder to score under the posts and give Mellor the simplest of conversions.

 

Just after the half hour mark Clarke made a great break for the Wizards and he dummied his way passed the Lions defence to score. Mellor converted before both sides were reduced to twelve men when Wizards full back David Yii and Lions winger Stuart Quayle were dismissed after an altercation.

 

A minute from the break, Clarke raced over under the posts for his second try of the afternoon. Mellor added the conversion to give his side a 24-8 half time advantage.

 

Straight after the restart Wizards centre Danny Shaw sauntered over for a try and then Reddecliff raced fifty metres to score under the posts. Mellor goaled the latter and the onslaught continued when Stephenson went over and Mellor again converted.

 

On fifty minutes a break by Stephenson split the Lions defence and the ball was then swept along the line for winger Shaun Daley to score. Mellor added the goal, before the Lions replied with a Dean Mair try converted by Handforth.

 

On the hour Wizards substitute Luke Stacey found Clarke and he powered over for his hat trick, that also brought up the half century, and then Shaw broke away to score under the posts and this time Ayres added the goal.

 

The Lions refused to give up and were rewarded when winger Chris Ellison scored a fine try and Handforth tagged on the extras, but that was just a slight reprieve as Stephenson then went over for his hat trick and he turned provider two minutes later when he combined with Reddecliff to put Shaw over for his third timer. Ayres added the conversion.

 

In the final minute Shaw broke away and found Daley who scored to complete an emphatic 70-20 victory.

 

The Man of the match was awarded to Wizards stand off Chris Mellor. He was well supported by Ian Stephenson, Matt Clarke and Danny Shaw.

 

 

Wizards

Dave YII, Sean DALEY, Danny SHAW, Matt TAYLOR, Troy ALLISON, Chris MELLOR, Ian STEPHENSON, Scott DAVIDSON, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Matt WILSON, Anthony BECKETT, ALAN REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs: Luke STACEY, Bob MERRILL, David LEFFLER, Gareth TONES.

 

 

22nd July 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 41 HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 26 

 

Warrington Wizards moved to within one point of Crusaders Colts and Bramley Buffaloes at the top of The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National with a hard fought 41-26 victory over Huddersfield Underbank Rangers at Wilderspool Stadium on Tuesday evening.

 

The game ebbed and flowed throughout with neither team able to pull clear until the final ten minutes when the superior skill and fitness of the Wizards side came to the fore and saw them record a vital win against an in-form side.

 

Underbank opened the scoring in the second minute when an error in the Wizards defence allowed second row Matt Stewart a free run to the line for a try that was converted by winger Richard Flooks, but the Wizards replied three minutes later when a lovely ball from loose forward Alan Reddecliff put second row Anthony Beckett through a gap to score in the corner. Stand off Chris Mellor landed a fine touchline conversion.

 

The Wizards took the lead shortly afterwards when a break by Mellor split the Underbank defence wide open and he found prop forward Matt Clarke in support to score under the posts to give Mellor the simplest of conversions before the visitors hit back when hooker Matt Garside profited from some slick passing to score under the posts. He converted himself to level the scores at 12-12.

 

The home side once again took the lead on eighteen minutes when a lovely ball from scrum half Ian Stephenson found Reddecliff linking into the line to score to the right of the posts. Mellor goaled, but then midway through the half Rangers loose forward Tom Senior broke through some weak Wizards tackling to score. Flooks tagged on the extras to bring the scores level once again.

 

Five minutes later a powerful run from second row Matt Wilson scattered three attempted tacklers before he threw out a long ball to winger Shaun Daley who scored in the left corner. Mellor goaled from wide out to restore his side’s six point cushion, but that was soon narrowed when Rangers centre Chris Beal brushed aside several Wizards defenders to touchdown for an unconverted try.

 

Six minutes before the break Reddecliff took the ball from the base of a scrum and managed to spin out of a tackle and find hooker Warren Ayres who dummied his way through the Underbank defence to score in the corner. Another fine touchline conversion completed an eventful first half scoring as the Wizards went in with an eight point lead at 30-22.

 

Just before the hour, Huddersfield gave themselves a lifeline when pressure on the Wizards line was rewarded when Garside ploughed over for his second try of the evening, but a penalty goal from Mellor after Underbank had been punished for a high tackle on Beckett and a well taken drop goal from Ayres gave the Wizards breathing space at 33-26.

 

The Wizards made the game safe in the final ten minutes with two further tries. The first came when substitute Jono Smith created room for winger Stuart Pirrie to race over, and then six minutes from time more fine work from Smith was finished off by centre Danny Shaw who scored in the right corner to complete a very impressive 41-26 win for the Wizards.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards second row Anthony Beckett. He was very well supported by Warren Ayres, Alan Reddecliff, Matt Wilson and Matt Clarke.

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Shaun DALEY, Danny SHAW, Matt TAYLOR, Stuart PIRRIE, Chris MELLOR, Ian STEPHENSON, Andy ADDISON, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Matt WILSON, Anthony BECKETT, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      David YII, Paul WILSON, Jono SMITH, Tony FAITAUA.

 

 

12th July 2008 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 52 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 18 

 

Warrington Wizards produced a hard earned 52-18 victory over reigning Champions Featherstone Lions in The Co-operative RLC National at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

Featherstone opened the scoring in the first minute when winger Ben Hill pounced on a Wizards error to race over to score, but the Wizards hit back when prop forward Andy Addison and centre Danny Shaw combined to put second row Chris Mellor clear and he found stand off Billy Sheen in support to touchdown. Mellor added the conversion.

 

A penalty against the Wizards for offside saw scrum half Danny Giles bring the Lions level, but a minute later Wizards second row Matt Wilson raced over to score to the left of the posts. Mellor converted.

 

Featherstone hit back on the half hour when pressure on the Wizards line was eventually rewarded when second row Ben Smith raced ten yards to score. Giles again brought the score level with his conversion, but then two minutes from half time the Lions spilled the ball and Shaw picked up to race over. Mellor added the conversion to give the Wizards an 18-12 half time advantage.

 

The Lions came out in the second half fired up, and four minutes into it a high up and under was fumbled by the Wizards and loose forward Brian Sutton chased after the ball and managed to reclaim it and score. Giles added the goal to level matters once again at 18-18.

 

The Wizards regained the lead four minutes later when a quick play the ball by Mellor saw Ayres throw out a fabulous ball to Sheen who went over for a try that Mellor converted, and then Mellor and Shaw combined with loose forward Alan Reddecliff to send Shaw flying over.

 

The Wizards were now in rampant mood and Reddecliff dummied his way past several players to go over, and on the hour prop forward Anthony Beckett scored under the posts following good work from centre Matt Taylor and winger Ian Stephenson. Mellor added both conversions to make the score 40-18.

 

Ten minutes from time a good run by Wilson was carried on by Shaw who gave a lovely ball out to the supporting Ayres who scored a Mellor converted try, and in the final minute a kick ahead by Stephenson saw Sheen win the race to the ball and he went over for a deserved hat-trick. Mellor added his eighth goal of the afternoon to wrap up a fantastic 52-18 victory.

 

The man of the match was awarded to Wizards second row Chris Mellor. He was very well supported by Billy Sheen, Danny Shaw and Alan Reddecliff.

 

 

WIZARDS

 

Carl LLOYD, Ian STEPHENSON, Danny SHAW, Matt TAYLOR, Stuart PIRRIE, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Anthony BECKETT, Steven SMYTHE, Andy ADDISON, Chris MELLOR, Matt WILSON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Dane EVANS, Matt CLARKE, Shaun DALEY, Matt BARBER.

 

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