7th August 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 60 DEWSBURY CELTIC 22

Warrington Wizards recorded their sixth straight win when they convincingly disposed of Dewsbury Celtic in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference national at Wilderspool Stadium on Friday evening.

 

The Wizards were in no mood to blow the chance of putting more pressure on the teams above them in the league table as they continued their recent upturn in form that will send out a warning to the rest of the play off hopefuls.

 

The home side opened the scoring in the second minute when a penalty put them close to the Celtic line and hooker Liam Duffy found second row Troy Alison who forced his way over, but then almost immediately Dewsbury hit back when a dropped ball by the Wizards was picked up by winger Pat Foulstone who raced thirty metres unopposed to score in left corner.

 

Warrington hit the front again just before the midway point of the half when inspirational stand off Billy Sheen jinked and weaved his way round six Celtic defenders before using his strength to touchdown and straight from the restart a sixty metre break by second row Jono Smith split the Dewsbury defence and he found full back Chris Campbell in support to score under the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres converted.

 

Within two minutes Wizards substitute Ryan Jarvis made a break down the left and his smart inside ball sent centre Danny Shaw over under the posts and then good work from substitute Wes Lawton put prop forward Carl Leach over under the posts for his first try on his home debut following his transfer from Huddersfield Underbank Rangers. Ayres added both conversions.

 

On the half hour Wizards went over again when Lawton spotted a gap and went on his own from acting half back to score under the posts, Ayres converting and then two minutes before the break a kick downfield by Celtic was collected by Sheen on the halfway line and he used his speed and agility to race through the defence to score under the posts. Ayres goaled to make the half time score 38-4.

 

Two minutes into the second half Celtic threw the ball out wide on the last tackle and Sheen intercepted and raced fifty metres to score under the posts and complete his hat trick, Ayres goaled and then despite constant Wizards pressure the next score went to the visitors when a barnstorming run from impressive prop forward Alex Walmsley paved the way for hooker Ben Diskin to give an inside ball to second row Danny Samuels who crashed over at the side of the posts. Centre James Eatherley added the conversion.

 

The Wizards got back into their stride on the hour when prop forward Gareth Barron, who was a constant menace to the Dewsbury side with many strong penetrating drives, powered over under the posts and Ayres conversion brought up the half century but they were then reduced to twelve men when Lawton was dismissed for punching and Celtic made the extra man count when lovely work by Samuels saw him give a smart inside ball to scrum half Danny Thomas who scored under the posts to give Eatherley an easy conversion.

 

Wizards came back with a quickfire couple of tries when substitute Hayden James put Leach over for his second try and then Shaw also went over for his second touchdown. Ayres goaled the latter before Celtic gained a consolation try at the death when a great run by loose forward Luke Kemp split the Wizards defence and he found Thomas in support to score under the posts. Eatherley rounded off the scoring with the conversion but it was the wizards who were celebrating an impressive 60-22 victory.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to stand off Billy Sheen but he was pushed all the way by in-form prop forward Gareth Barron. Fellow prop Carl Leach and second row pair Troy Alison and Jono Smith on his return also impressed.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Scott LYON, Danny SHAW, Dave YII, Ian PIRRIE, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Liam DUFFY, Carl LEACH, Jono SMITH, Troy ALISON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Adam GORMAN, Wes LAWTON, Ryan JARVIS.

1st August 2009 - EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 46 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 52

An unbelievably high scoring encounter went the way of the Warrington Wizards as they just managed to hold off a fantastic fightback from East Lancashire Lions in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Wizards were made to fight all the way as they made it five straight wins, although they made it hard work for themselves with some very sloppy defending that almost cost them victory.

 

Warrington opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a long ball from scrum half Warren Ayres cut out three defenders and winger Adam Gorman collected wide out to score in the left corner. Ayres landed a fine touchline conversion, but five minutes later a chip ahead by East Lancs stand off James Muir saw the ball bounce kindly into the arms of scrum half Barry Rothwell who collected to score. Centre Darren Bamford converted to level the scores.

 

The Wizards took the lead again when loose forward Alan Reddecliff took the ball from the base of the scrum on the Lions line and fed stand off Billy Sheen to score a try that Ayres goaled, but again the home side hit back almost immediately when Bamford put hooker Hesketh over out wide for an unconverted score.

 

Midway through the half Sheen dummied and stepped his way over for his second try, that Ayres goaled and then good work from Sheen and second row Carl Leach put prop forward Shaun Gilmour away and his offload sent full back Chris Campbell over.

 

The Wizards stretched their lead on the half hour when Ayres found Reddecliff on the last tackle and his inside ball put centre Ian Pirrie over. Ayres tagged on the extras but then straight from a scrum on their own line a kick down field by the Wizards was charged down by Muir who collected the ball to score with Bamford adding on the conversion.

 

A minute before the break a set move from a scrum deep in the Lions half saw Sheen and Campbell combine to put winger Scott Lyon over wide out on the right. Ayres touchline conversion gave the Wizards a 34-16 half time lead.

 

The Lions came out strongly at the beginning of the second half and within a minute loose forward Patrick O’Grady had scored and that was soon followed by a second try for Hesketh and with Bamford converting both the Wizards lead was down to just six points.

 

This seemed to wake the Wizards up and they were soon back in control when substitute Hayden James went on his own from acting half back to score after Leach had been held just short and then just after the hour a break down the right by centre Danny Shaw was carried on by James and a quick play the ball saw Shaw put Ayres over. Ayres adding both conversions.

 

Alost immediately another break by Shaw split the Lions defence and Sheen was on hand to step through an attempted tackle to score under the posts and complete a fine hat trick. Ayres goal put the Wizards in a seemingly unassailable lead at 52-28.

 

East Lancs seemed to have other ideas though and in a grandstand final ten minutes they pushed the Wizards very close indeed. Quick tries from substitute Daniel Birkett and winger Adam Wagstaff, both converted by Bamford gave them belief that an unlikely comeback was on the cards and when Muir chipped over with two minutes remaining Birkett was fastest to the ball and he found Muir in support to score under the posts. Bamford goaled to reduce their arrears to just six points but the Wizards managed to regain their composure to safely see the game out and clinch a vital three points in a remarkable encounter.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards stand off Billy Sheen. He was very well supported by Gareth Barron, Warren Ayres, Carl Leach and Chris Campbell.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Scott LYON, Danny SHAW, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Liam DUFFY, Shaun GILMOUR, Carl LEACH, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Mike GRADY, Scott CULLEN, Alan KILSHAW.

25th July 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 26 HUDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 24

A magnificent encounter in The Co-operative Rugby League National went the way of Warrington Wizards in a full bloodied end to end encounter at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

With both sides coming into the game in good form it was no surprise that the standard was so high, but the extra composure and better discipline from the Wizards saw them rightfully edge home. Rampaging forwards Matt Clarke and Shaun Gilmour pounded into the Huddersfield line at regular intervals and with Underbank powerhouses Napoleoni Vinaka and Dave Valentine doing likewise it made for a very tough tussle indeed.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the eight minute when Huddersfield spilt the ball on the Wizards twenty metre line and gamestar second row Darren Forshaw collected and raced eighty metres unopposed to score under the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres added the conversion but the visitors hit back seven minutes later when close to the line second row Rom Senior slipped the ball superbly to centre Shaun Mitchell who scored. Centre Chris Johnson converted to level the score.

 

Warrington responded quickly when a slick passing movement along the line saw stand off Billy Sheen send centre Danny Shaw away and he passed back inside to Sheen who scored under the posts. Ayres converted, but again Huddersfield hit back when a lovely short ball from hooker Neil Barrett put scrum half Simon Burkenshaw through a gap to score. Johnson goaled to bring parity once again.

 

The Wizards were temporarily reduced to twelve men just before the half hour when centre Dave Yii was sin binned for dissent but Huddersfield were unable to take advantage and a minute before the break it was the Wizards who went in front for a third time when a trademark move saw Ayres and loose forward Alan Reddecliff combine once again for Reddecliff to score at the side of the posts. Ayres conversion gave his side an 18-12 half time advantage.

 

Five minutes into the second half Huddersfield hit back again when Senior broke clear and found Burkenshaw in support to score. Johnson added the conversion but then four minutes later great work by Ayres saw him offload through his legs to full back Chris Campbell and he found Reddecliff who put Sheen over at the left of the posts. Ayres tagged on the extras.

 

Burkenshaw was sin binned for Huddersfield for an elbow in the face and although no damage was done whilst he was off the field the Wizards edged eight points clear soon after the hour when Ayres landed a penalty from close range after Underbank were caught offside.

 

Seven minutes from time with the Wizards camped on the Underbank line, a loose pass was intercepted by winger Richard Aka and he sprinted the length of the field to score under the posts. Johnson goaled to narrow the deficit to two points and then in the final minute it looked as though Huddersfield were going to snatch the win but a stunning last ditch tackle from Campbell prevented a certain try and ensured that the Wizards held on for a fantastic and richly deserved 26-24 success.

 

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

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Troy ALISON, Danny SHAW, Dave YII, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Liam DUFFY, Shaun GILMOUR, Matt WILSON, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Ian PIRRIE, Scott CULLEN, Gareth BARRON.

18th July 2009 - LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 28 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 32

Warrington Wizards produced a great comeback to record a thrilling victory at Liverpool Buccaneers in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon to make it three wins in a row for the first time this season.

 

The Wizards found themselves trailing by fourteen points in the first half but they managed to claw their way back into the game and get a victory that puts them four points clear of the Buccaneers in sixth spot in the league table.

 

Liverpool opened the scoring in the second minute when quick hands across the line stretched the Wizards defence and second row Kyle Smith stepped back inside to score and then nine minutes later good play from centre Mark Webster saw him hold the ball up in the tackle and find hooker Mike Forber who put winger Jamie Hammond over in the right corner. Stand off Sean Forber added both conversions.

 

The Wizards got themselves on the scoreboard in the sixteenth minute when a superb long ball from scrum half Warren Ayres cut out three defenders and centre Dave Yii collected and he stepped round the cover to stretch out and score wide out on the left, but then just after the midway point of the half the Buccaneers responded when close to the line S. Forber chipped ahead and the ball bounced kindly back into his arms for him to score at the side of the posts. He converted himself to put his side in command at 18-4.

 

On the half hour the Wizards got their second try of the game when quick hands close to the Buccaneers line saw Yii put winger Adam Gorman over in the left corner and when Liverpool had substitute Joel Parker sin binned for an infringement in the tackle four minutes before the break the Wizards took advantage of the extra man as the resultant penalty saw stand off Billy Sheen and Ayres combine to find loose forward Alan Reddecliff who rounded three defenders to score at the side of the posts. Ayres converted to make the half time score 18-14 in the Buccaneers favour.

 

Six minutes into the second half the inspirational Ayres gave a lovely flat ball to Reddecliff close to the line and he crashed over. Ayres goaled to give the Wizards the lead for the first time but ten minutes later Liverpool hit back when a chip through on the last tackle by scrum half Martin Gambles saw Parker win the race to the ball and score under the posts to give S. Forber a simple conversion.

 

Just after the hour mark a penalty for the Wizards on the Buccaneers line saw substitute Hayden James take a quick tap and he put the impressive prop forward Matt Clarke over wide on the right. Ayres converted superbly to give the Wizards the lead once again and then five minutes later another fine inside ball from Ayres found Reddecliff at an angle to stretch over and complete his hat trick. Ayres goal gave the Wizards an eight point cushion.

 

The Buccaneers refused to lie down and set up a grandstand finish when M. Forber went on his own from acting half back to score with two minutes remaining but the Wizards were in no mood to throw the game away and they calmly closed the game out to gain a precious 32-28 win.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards prop forward Matt Clarke. He was very well supported by Warren Ayres, Alan Reddecliff, Darren Forshaw and Liam Duffy.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Troy ALISON, Danny SHAW, Dave YII, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Liam DUFFY, Shaun GILMOUR, Craig LYON, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Scott LYON, Scott CULLEN, Gareth BARRON.

10th July 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 44 NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS 16

Warrington Wizards produced their best performance of the season to outclass an in form Nottingham Outlaws side in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool Stadium on Friday evening.

 

The home side were quick out of the blocks and played some quite breathtaking rugby as they turned on the style under the floodlights to put a Nottingham side, who have only lost two games all season, to the sword in convincing fashion.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the fifth minute when stand off Billy Sheen switched play and found full back Chris Campbell who combined with second row Matt Wilson to put centre Dave Yii, making his first appearance of the season, over in the right corner, and then straight from the restart winger Scott Lyon made a forty metre break that stretched the Outlaws defence and two quick play the balls saw the ball through six sets of hands for Wilson to score in the right corner.

 

Warrington increased their advantage on fifteen minutes with an unbelievable try. The build up started on their own line and saw the ball kept alive through ten sets of hands. A quick play the ball on the Nottingham twenty metre line saw scrum half Warren Ayres and second row Scott Davidson work together to put centre Troy Alison over. Ayres added the conversion.

 

Nottingham opened their account just after the half hour mark when very clever play by stand off Greg Moore saw him shape to go one way and then step the other and found prop forward Adam Millward who scored under the posts. Moore added the conversion but then three minutes before the break Ayres landed a forty metre penalty goal after Nottingham were caught offside to give his side a deserved 16-6 interval lead.

 

The Wizards stretched their lead five minutes into the second half when Sheen spun out of a tackle on the half way line and raced forty metres before finding substitute Hayden James in support to score, and then six minutes later Sheen was again the provider as he put James over at the side of the posts. Loose forward Alan Reddecliff goaled the latter.

 

Nottingham hit back four minutes later when good play by Moore and prop forward Simon Perry put their side close to the Wizards line and then slick passing the width of the field saw centre Ben Radford squeeze in at the left corner and then just after the hour a strong run from loose forward Simon Morton put his side on the Wizards line and a quick play the ball saw Perry power over at the side of the posts. Moore goaled to reduce the gap to ten points.

 

Warrington refused to buckle though and came storming back when a long pass from Ayres found substitute Gareth Barron close to the line to go over and then four minutes later Barron crashed over once again wide out on the left. Reddecliff converted on both occasions.

 

The Wizards rounded off a superb win two minutes from time when a chip ahead on the last tackle by star man Sheen was fumbled by Nottingham and hooker Liam Duffy collected the loose ball and put Sheen over. Reddecliff goaled to round off a magnificent 44-18 victory for the Wizards.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards in-form stand off Billy Sheen. He was very well supported by Dave Yii, Matt Clarke and Shaun Gilmour.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Scott LYON, Dave YII, Troy ALISON, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Matt CLARKE, Liam DUFFY, Shaun GILMOUR, Scott DAVIDSON, Matt WILSON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Craig LYON, Scott CULLEN, Gareth BARRON.

27th June 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 78 CARLISLE CENTURIONS 20

Warrington Wizards bounced back to winning ways in comprehensive fashion with a well worked defeat of a very committed Carlisle side in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool stadium on Saturday tea time.

 

Warrington were in mean mood from the offset and ran in a total of fourteen tries as they recorded their biggest win of the season so far although to their credit the Centurions kept going for the full eighty minutes and scored some fine tries themselves.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the fourth minute when centre Chris Campbell broke down the right and found winger Troy Alison who put hooker Hayden James over and two minutes later Campbell put second row Alan Kilshaw over at the side of the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres landed both conversions.

 

On ten minutes Carlisle opened their account with a penalty goal from scrum half Craig Brierley, but Ayres found touch from the restart and loose forwards Alan Reddecliff went on his own from the base of the subsequent scrum to score. Ayres added the conversion.

 

Shortly afterwards a penalty on the Wizards line saw Carlisle sweep the ball out wide to centre Tom Armstrong who scored at the side of the posts. C. Brierley converting, but again from the restart Ayres found touch and from the scrum stand off Billy Sheen combined with full back Liam Duffy to put Alison over in the right corner. Ayres goaled from the touchline.

 

More good work down the right by Campbell saw him split the Carlisle defence and he put prop forward Shaun Gilmour over for a try that Ayres converted, and then midway through the half Sheen spotted a gap on the last tackle to scoot over.

 

The Centurions refused to lie down and impressive loose forward James Field broke through some weak Wizards tackling to score a try goaled by C. Brierley but then on the half hour a short ball from Reddecliff found Duffy who rounded the cover to score. Ayres added on the extras.

 

The Wizards next try came when a penalty on the Centurions line saw the ball swept through four sets of hands for centre Ian Pirrie to score, and then right on the stroke of half time Campbell broke clear down the middle of the field and found James in support to score under the posts. Ayres goaled the latter to give his side a commanding 50-14 interval advantage.

 

Wizards increased their lead ten minutes into the second half when good work by substitute Craig Lyon saw him offload in the tackle to Sheen who scored under the posts to give Ayres a simple conversion but then five minutes later a kick downfield by Carlisle stand off Dennis Bibby was fumbled by the Wizards and Armstrong picked up the loose ball before putting second row Andy Dalton over. C. Brierley added the conversion.

 

Just before the hour a Wizards penalty put them deep into the Carlisle half and prop forward Gareth Barron powered over from thirty metres, Ayres converting and then the inspirational Sheen broke clear from the halfway line and raced away to score under the posts and complete a fine hat trick. Ayres again added the conversion.

 

A fifty metre break down the right by Sheen carried on by Campbell saw him hauled down just short, but a quick play the ball saw the ball swept along the line for substitute Craig Lyon to score an unconverted try in the left corner and then four minutes from time after second row Ryan Jarvis had been held just short James went on his own from acting half back to register his hat trick. Ayres goaled to complete a fine 78-20 win.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards in form stand off Billy Sheen. He was very well supported by hooker Hayden James, centre Chris Campbell and winger Troy Alison.

 

After the game player/coach Alan Kilshaw said, “We was looking for a positive response after last week’s defeat at Bramley and we got that. We are not naïve enough to the fact that our defence needs a lot of working on because conceding twenty points against Carlisle isn’t good enough. Our attack speaks for itself and we have players who can score tries from anywhere on the field. We will use our week off to get over some bumps and bruises and prepare ourselves for a tough home game against Nottingham. We know that with a lot of hard work and some luck in our remaining league games we can finish strong and give ourselves a chance of being in the mix at the end of the season.”

 

WIZARDS

 

Liam DUFFY, Troy ALISON, Chris CAMPBELL, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Billy SHEEN, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Hayden JAMES, Shaun GILMOUR, Alan KILSHAW, Ryan JARVIS, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Tom LANDER, Mike GRADY, Nick SETTLE, Craig LYON.

20th June 2009 - BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 56 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 4

The Wizards side suffered a heavy defeat at unbeaten league leaders Bramley Buffaloes in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon with once again injuries and holidays meaning five changes from the previous week.

 

Bramley opened the scoring in the tenth minute when hooker Graham Harrison went on his own from acting half back close to the line and despite the attention of four defenders he managed to slip the ball out to prop forward Chris Gardner who scored a try that was converted by centre Matthew Booth.

 

Nine minutes later Buffaloes loose forward Danny O’Connor went on his own to score and three minutes later a high kick on the last tackle from scrum half Jon Nicholls was fumbled by the Wizards and winger Nick Fontaine collected the loose ball to score. Booth added both conversions.

 

The Buffaloes increased their lead just before the half hour when second row Jim Shuttleworth intercepted a Wizards pass to race thirty metres unopposed to score under the posts and then further tries from Fontaine and full back Andy McGann all goaled by Booth gave the home side a commanding 36-0 half time advantage.

 

Bramley moved further clear four minutes into the second half when McGann’s smart offload put winger Shaun Flynn over in the left corner, but then eight minutes later a flare up on the halfway line saw both sides reduced to eleven men with Wizards second row Scott Davidson and substitute Ryan Jarvis being dismissed along with Buffaloes substitute Nathan Anderson and Fontaine.

 

The Wizards were further handicapped two minutes later when player/coach Alan Kilshaw was sin binned for holding down and from the resultant penalty McGann scored in the left corner, but the Wizards then started to get themselves some good field position and were rewarded when slick passing the width of the field stretched the Bramley defence and winger Adam Gorman scored in the left corner.

 

Bramley had McGann yellow carded for holding down shortly afterwards but the Wizards were unable to breach the Bramley line again and in the final five minutes two further tries from Buffaloes centre Daniel Caston, goaled by Booth and scrum half Jon Nicholls, converted by Gardner wrapped up a very convincing 56-4 victory.

 

Best for the Wizards were prop forward Matt Clarke, full back Liam Duffy and substitute Ryan Jarvis.

 

WIZARDS

 

Liam DUFFY, Scott LYON, Troy ALISON, Matt WILSON, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Gareth SIMPSON, Billy SHEEN, Matt CLARKE, Scott DAVIDSON, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Ryan JARVIS, Scott CULLEN, Gareth BARRON.

13th June 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 36 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 35

An absolute cracker of a game went the way of Warrington Wizards as they snatched a dramatic last gasp victory over Featherstone Lions in a magnificent The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National fixture at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

The lead changed hands on numerous occasions as the game ebbed and flowed in a titanic tussle that neither side deserved to lose but it was the Wizards who snatched it at the death despite trailing by seven points go into injury time.

 

Featherstone opened the scoring in the eighth minute when quick passes from stand off Adie Mulcahy and centre Byron Cooper found second row Craig Barker out wide and he managed to twist in the tackle and score in the right corner but the Wizards hit back seven minutes later when prop forward Gareth Barron used his strength and size from close range to score at the side of the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres added the conversion.

 

Just after the midway point of the half the Wizards gained a scrum on the Lions twenty metre line and loose forward Alan Reddecliff went down the blind side and fed Ayres who scored wide out on the left and then on the half hour Ayres and Reddecliff combined well to put prop forward Scott Davidson through a gap to score under the posts. Ayres converted the latter.

 

The Lions his back three minutes later when from close to the line hooker Dean Gamble went on his own from acting half back to score and then shortly afterwards prop forward Darren Fisher used his strength to touchdown under the posts despite having four Wizards defenders on him. Substitute Scott Glassel added both conversions to bring the scores level.

 

Right on the stroke of half time the Wizards nudged themselves back in front when Ayres landed a penalty after the Lions were punished for offside to give his side a narrow 18-16 advantage at the break.

 

The Lions regained the lead three minutes into the second half when livewire Gamble, a constant menace to the Wizards all afternoon with a non stop display, went on his own on the last tackle from close range to score and then three minutes later a lovely short ball from Mulcahy found centre Greg Wilby who stepped back inside to score at the left of the posts. Glassel once again tagged on the extras on both occasions.

 

The Wizards got back into the game when Reddecliff went from the base of a scrum and scored at the side of the posts, Ayres converted but the Lions resolve then kept the Wizards at bay for long periods and it was the visitors who scored next when Mulcahy spotted a gap and stepped through it to score at the side of the posts. Glassel added on the goal points to give his side a ten point advantage.

 

As the game entered the fin al ten minutes the Wizards gave themselves a lifeline when a barnstorming run from substitute Matt Wilson scattered the Lions defence and he found centre Chris Campbell who rounded the cover to score and narrow the deficit to six points, but two minutes from time a drop goal from Glassel looked to have sealed the win for the Lions.

 

Warrington refused to give up and a minute into injury time substitute Stuart Pirrie raced over and Ayres conversion left the home side one point adrift, but then five minutes into stoppage time the Lions were adjudged to be offside right in front of their own posts and the unflappable Ayres coolly slotted over the penalty to give the Wizards a stunning 36-35 victory in a game that was a credit to the league.

 

The Man of the Match was Wizards scrum half Warren Ayres. He was very well supported by Alan Reddecliff, Scott Davidson, Darren Forshaw and Wes Lawton.

 

WIZARDS

 

Liam DUFFY, Troy ALISON, Chris CAMPBELL, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Billy SHEEN, Scott DAVIDSON, Shaun GILMOUR, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Stuart PIRRIE, Wes LAWTON, Matt WILSON.

6th June 2009 - GATESHEAD STORM 22 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 52

Warrington Wizards produced a very impressive all-round team performance to convincingly defeat Gateshead Storm in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Wizards bounced back from the disappointing defeat the previous week in impressive style with livewire hooker Billy Sheen stealing the show after romping over for a fabulous five tries.

 

The home side opened the scoring in the seventh minute when prop forward David Cash used his strength to crash over from close range despite the attention of three defenders. Stand off Stephen Coutts added the conversion, but the Wizards hit back almost immediately when full back Liam Duffy had the ball ripped out in the tackle by a Storm defender and Sheen reacted quickest to pounce on the loose ball and touchdown. Scrum half Warren Ayres converted.

 

The Wizards took the lead five minutes later when a short ball from stand off Alan Kilshaw sent centre Chris Campbell through a gap and he went fifty metres before finding Sheen in support to race over and that lead was extended when a fine drive by prop forward Mike Leicester punched a hole in the Gateshead line and a quick play the ball saw loose forward Alan Reddecliff go through the gap and run sixty metres before finding winger Adam Gorman on his shoulder to score. Ayres added both conversions.

 

On the half hour Kilshaw chipped over the Gateshead defence on the last tackle and second row Darren Forshaw collected to race away and he found Sheen in support to go over for his hat trick under the posts to give Ayres the simplest of conversions and then almost immediately Reddecliff broke clear down the right and went thirty metres before finding Campbell who sprinted forty metres to score in right corner.

 

As the interval approached Sheen stole the ball in a one on one tackle close to the Gateshead line and put Campbell over wide out on the right. Ayres goaled to give the Wizards a commanding 34-6 half time lead.

 

Three minutes into the second half the Wizards stretched their advantage when a power play on the last tackle saw winger Troy Alison race thirty metres down the right wing before passing inside to Sheen who scored his fourth try but Gateshead hit back instantaneously when substitute Stephen Welton powered over under the posts for a try that he converted himself.

 

The Wizards responded when a high kick on the last tackle from Kilshaw was fumbled by the Gateshead full back and Alison was on hand to pick up the loose ball and score under the posts, Ayres converting but again the Storm refused to lie down and a kick to the left corner by loose forward Rhys Clarke saw winger Crawford Matthews win the race to touchdown.

 

Warrington brought up their half century just after the hour mark when Sheen danced round the Gateshead defence to score his fifth try under the posts which Ayres converted but it was the Storm who scored the final try when Welton scored close to the posts. Coutts conversion made the final score 52-22 to a very happy Wizards side.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards five try hero Billy Sheen. He was very well supported by second row Darren Forshaw, full back Liam Duffy, prop forward Wes Lawton and winger Troy Alison.

 

WIZARDS

 

Liam DUFFY, Troy ALISON, Chris CAMPBELL, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Mike LEICESTER, Billy SHEEN, Wes LAWTON, Shaun GILMOUR, Darren FORSHAW, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Mike GRADY, Gareth BARRON, Nick SETTLE.

31st May 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 16 HEMEL STAGS 36

Warrington Wizards suffered a disappointing defeat to Hemel Stags in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Sunday afternoon in glorious sunshine at Wilderspool Stadium.

 

There was not much to split the sides in a tough opening half, but the Stags had much the better of the second half to run out very worthy winners against a Wizards side that had looked as though it was returning to form over the past couple of weeks.

 

The Wizards opened the scoring in the seventh minute when a good interchange of passing between stand of Alan Kilshaw and full back Chris Campbell created room for second row Scott Davidson to score wide out on left. Scrum half Warren Ayres converted but six minutes later Hemel replied when a short ball from scrum half Brendan Williams found centre Jared Searson and he broke through the line with speed to score in the left corner.

 

The Stags took the lead just after the midway point of the half when the inspirational Williams went on his own from first receiver on the last tackle and stepped round the Wizards defence to score under the posts. Full back Barry-John Swindells added the conversion but then Hemel knocked on from the restart and Ayres went on his own down the blind side straight from the scrum to score in the left corner. He landed a superb touchline conversion to restore the Wizards advantage.

 

The lead changed hands once again on the half hour when a fine pass from Williams put Swindells through a gap and he found prop forward Dean Campbell in support on his inside to score under the posts. Swindells added on the goal points to give his side a four point cushion at half time.

 

Hemel increased their lead three minutes into the second half when a forty metre break by Campbell split the Wizards defence and centre Chris Pomfret and Swindells moved the Stags to within ten metres of the Wizards line and a quick play the ball saw an overlap for Campbell to go over on the left.

 

The Wizards responded thirteen minutes later when a fifty metre break down the middle by loose forward Matt Wilson split the Hemel defence and with then  struggling to get back in line a long ball from Ayres found Davidson who used his strength to score in the left corner.

 

The Stags regained the ascendancy just after the hour mark when stand off Scott Clendenning-Fenton combined with his half back partner Williams to put Swindells through a gap to score and then quick hands out wide saw second row Tim Stevens score in the left corner. Loose forward John Weber took over the kicking duties to land both conversions.

 

The visitors ensured that the Wizards would not gain a consolation bonus point three minutes from time when straight from a scrum in the Wizards twenty metre area the ball went down the blind side to Searson who scored in the left corner to complete a thoroughly deserved 36-16.

 

Best for the Wizards were second row Scott Davidson, scrum half Warren Ayres and loose forward Matt Wilson.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Troy ALISON, John WELCH, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Billy SHEEN, Matt CALRKE, Scott DAVIDSON, Darren FORSHAW, Matt WILSON.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Mike GRADY, Scott CULLEN, Mike LEICESTER.

23rd May 2009 - DEWSBURY CELTIC 34 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 46

A pulsating end to end encounter between two very committed sides went the way of the Wizards, as a sterling second half performance saw them defeat Celtic in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Crow Nest Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Wizards started the stronger and opened the scoring on five minutes when a good offload from loose forward Alan Reddecliff close to the Celtic line put hooker Billy Sheen over at the side of the posts. Scrum half Warren Ayres converted and four minutes later Wizards stand off Alan Kilshaw found Sheen who in turn passed onto Reddecliff whose long ball sent centre Ian Pirrie away and he found winger Adam Gorman who sprinted over in the left corner.

 

Celtic hit back shortly afterwards when a succession of penalties put them deep into Wizards territory and prop forward Alex Walmsley powered over for a try that full back Pat Foulstone converted and then three minutes later quick hands on the last tackle saw Walmsley go over wide out. Foulstone goaled to put his side into the lead.

 

Midway through the half the Wizards regained the lead when good work from Sheen saw him held just short but from the play the ball a bullet pass from Ayres found Reddecliff at speed to score under the posts. Ayres added the conversion from in front.

 

The Wizards were temporarily reduced to twelve men just before the half hour mark when second row John Welch was sin binned for tripping and Celtic took advantage of the extra man when substitute Tim Land stretched out to score at the side of the posts. Foulstone’s conversion gave Celtic a slender 18-16 half time lead as the Wizards were once again reduced to twelve men when prop forward Mike Leicester received a yellow card for dissent in the final minute of the half.

 

Six minutes into the second half the Wizards went in front once again when a set move saw a long ball from Ayres find Reddecliff out wide on the left to race over and then four minutes later great play from substitute Darren Forshaw sent Reddecliff away down the left and he combined with Pirrie and Kilshaw to put Ayres over for a try that he converted himself.

 

On fifty four minutes Celtic centre Jamie Graves was sin binned for fighting whilst the Wizards had Welch dismissed for retaliation but from the resultant penalty the ball was sent along the line to Reddecliff who went over for his hat trick wide out on the left. Ayres landed a fine touchline conversion to give the Wizards a fourteen point advantage at 32-18.

 

From the restart the Wizards knocked on and straight from the scrum the ball was sent out to Celtic substitute William Brooke who scored in the left corner, but just after the hour good work from Kilshaw kept the ball alive for the Wizards and he put full back Chris Campbell over in the right corner.

 

Celtic responded when a dropped ball by the Wizards on the Dewsbury ten metre line was pounced on by Foulstone who raced ninety metres down the left to score in the corner and he converted magnificently from the touchline to narrow the gap to eight points.

 

The Wizards refused to panic and a chip ahead by Ayres was fumbled by Celtic and Pirrie picked up the loose ball but was held just short. A quick play the ball saw Reddecliff score his fourth try in the left corner.

 

Warrington made the game safe nine minutes from time when a kick straight from a scrum on the halfway line by Kilshaw saw Campbell hack on again and he collected himself to score. Reddecliff tagged on the goal points before Dewsbury gained a consolation try when winger Aiden Anderson intercepted a Wizards pass and raced sixty metres to score. Foulstone goaled to ensure a bonus point for Celtic but the Wizards were left to celebrate a gritty 46-34 victory.

 

The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards loose forward Alan Reddecliff. He was very well supported by full back Chris Campbell, prop forward Gareth Barron, substitute Darren Forshaw and centre Ian Pirrie.

 

WIZARDS

 

Chris CAMPBELL, Scott LYON, Troy ALISON, Ian PIRRIE, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Mike LEICESTER, Billy SHEEN, Gareth BARRON, Lee RUSHTON, John WELCH, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Mike GRADY, Darren FORSHAW, Daniel BARRON.

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.

 

9th May 2009 - HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 42 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 14

 

The Wizards side suffered their fourth consecutive defeat when they went down at Huddersfield Underbank Rangers in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National on Saturday afternoon.

 

A much changed side once again, with nine changes from the previous game, put in plenty of effort against an in-form Underbank side but a lack of experience told as the home side consolidated their position in the top four.

 

After a fairly even opening with both sides having chances to score it was Underbank who registered the first try when full back Chris Thorley went on his own from acting half back on thirteen minutes to touchdown at the side of the posts. He added the conversion himself, but then eight minutes later a penalty goal from Wizards scrum half Warren Ayres got his side off the mark.

 

Huddersfield responded shortly afterwards when hooker Joe Worthington found centre Shaun Mitchell close to the line and he scored an unconverted try wide out on the left, and then on the half hour loose forward Tom Senior made a forty metre break straight from the base of a scrum and although he was hauled down just short a quick play the ball saw second row Gary Keegan go over under the posts to give Thorley an easy conversion.

 

Almost immediately Rangers were down field once again and when a kick on the last tackle by scrum half Adam Browne was fumbled against the post by the Wizards Worthington was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and score. Thorley converted.

 

A minute before the break the Wizards gave themselves a lifeline when the ball was swept out wide to winger Scott Lyon who managed to use his strength to score in the corner despite the attention of four defenders to make the half time score 22-6 to Underbank.

 

The Wizards started the second half strongly and were rewarded five minutes into it when a fine inside ball from stand off Alan Kilshaw found loose forward Matt Wilson at speed to power over and reduce the gap to twelve points.

 

Huddersfield regained the initiative nine minutes later when the ball was moved along the line for Senior to score in the left corner, before the Wizards once again gave themselves hope when a superb long ball from Ayres, which cut out three defenders, found substitute Adam Gorman who collected and raced over in the left corner.

 

The home side then proceeded t put the game out of the Wizards reach when a penalty on the Wizards ten metre line saw the ball moved swiftly through six pairs of hands for winger Will Midgley to score in the right corner, and then Keegan scampered over for his second try which Thorley converted.

 

Three minutes from time the Wizards lost the ball on the halfway line and Underbank’s Mitchell picked up and raced forty metres before finding substitute Napoleoni Vinaka in support to score. Thorley converted to complete an impressive 42-14 win for the Yorkshiremen.

 

Best for the Wizards were second row Shaun Gilmour, loose forward Matt Wilson and centre Tom Bradbury.

 

WIZARDS

 

Liam CAGLIARINI, Scott LYON, Tom BRADBURY, Darren FORSHAW, Ian PIRRIE, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Gareth BARRON, Wes LAWTON, Mike LEICESTER, Scott CULLEN, Shaun GILMOUR, Matt WILSON.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, Adam GORMAN, Nick WOODWARD, Sean GRUNDY.

 

30th April 2009 - WARRINGTON WIZARDS 0 LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 32

 

Liverpool Buccaneers turned in a stunning performance at Wilderspool on Thursday evening to defeat an out of sorts Wizards side in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National.

 

The Buccaneers were in command from the outset and never let the Wizards settle and were rewarded for an outstanding display by becoming the first side to ‘nil’ the Wizards.

 

Liverpool opened the scoring in the fourth minute when prop forward Joel Parker scattered the Wizards defence on a thirty metre barnstorming run to score an unconverted try and then after forcing three goal line drop outs the Buccaneers made the pressure tell when a kick on the last tackle by scrum half Martin Gambles saw loose forward Steve Ormesher react quickest to score. Centre Andy Soutar added the conversion.

 

Midway through the half the impressive Gambles got the ball out wide to second row Luke Murfin who scored Liverpool’s third try in the left corner and then five minutes later another kick on the last tackle by Gambles was fumbled behind their own line by the Wizards and Ormesher gleefully pounced on the loose ball to score under the posts. Soutar added both conversions.

 

The Wizards had full back Stuart Pirrie sin binned for kicking the ball away five minutes before the break but with no further scoring Liverpool went in at the break with a commanding 22-0 advantage.

 

The Wizards started the second half with more purpose than shown in the first period and forced a couple of goal line drop outs, but some resolute defending from the Buccaneers kept their line in tact and frustrated the home side.

 

The Buccaneers made sure that their was to be no comeback for the Wizards eleven minutes from time when stand off Ryan Cunningham broke through the line at speed to score at the side of the posts and then in the final minute a kick by Gambles cannoned off a Wizards player into the arms of Ormesher who crossed for his hat trick. Soutar goaled the latter to complete a thoroughly deserved 32-0 victory for a rampant Liverpool side.

 

Best for the Wizards were Stuart Pirrie, Matt Clarke and Scott Cullen.

 

WIZARDS

 

Stuart PIRRIE, Troy ALISON, Dave LEVENSTON, Shaun GILMOUR, Adam GORMAN, Alan KILSHAW, Warren AYRES, Scott DAVIDSON, Craig CORNELIA, Matt CLARKE, Scott CULLEN, Lee RUSHTON, Alan REDDECLIFF.

 

Subs:      Hayden JAMES, James EARDLEY, Matt WILSON, 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.