WARRINGTON Wolves are “not far off” their first win according to new Director of Coaching Tony Smith who saw his team edged out 14-20 by his former club Leeds at the Halliwell Jones.
Despite an appalling start which saw Leeds race into a 12 point lead in the opening six minutes Warrington bounced back and for long periods of the match were the better team.
Poor defence in the third minute saw Karl Ablett touch down after Warrington failed to clear the danger with Kevin Sinfield adding the two. Three minutes later the visitors doubled their lead as Sinfield went over and again converted.
After a couple of missed opportunities Warrington got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute when Lee Briers showed a good turn of pace to breach the Leeds defence and touch down but Chris Hicks sliced the conversion attempt wide making it 4-12.
The Wolves fluffed a number of other gilt edged opportunities, in particular by half-back Monaghan.
Five minutes from the break Leeds extended their lead when Warrington were penalised for accidental off-side.
But a minute before the break the Wolves were back in the hunt when Micky Higham barged over from close range with Hicks adding the two to make it 10-14 at the hooter.
Playing with the wind in the second half Warrington again squandered chances as Louis Anderson knocked on in front of the sticks and then was held up over the line.
The Wolves were on level terms in the 56th minute when Chris Hicks swept in at the corner but was unable to add a difficult conversion making it 14-14.
Warrington now looked the more likely to win but disaster struck in the 70th minute when full-back Chris Riley collected a kick and started to make good yards only to lose the ball on impact. Sinfield gleefully collected the lose ball and raced over for what proved to be the winning try as he added the coversion to make it 14-20.
In injury time Warrington had a chance to grab a last gasp score but Jon Clarke knocked on right on the line.
After the match Smith praised the effort of the team and the coaching staff who had faced a difficult week.
“With a little more patience we could have had a winning start. It was a mixed performance but I was really happy with the defensive effort and the spirit. We created plenty of opportunities but came up with too many errors allowing the pressure off Leeds.
“But we are not far off and with a little better execution we will strart to get the right results.
“We were a bit slow out of the blocks but it has been a traumatic week for the team and the coaching staff with the changes taking place midweek but I think everyone has responded well.
“I will be targeting improvement throughout the week but I have been encouraged by the spirit.”
Warrington’s next match is away at Harlequins on Saturday.
Pictures show Micky Higham, Paul Johnson and Lee Briers in action against Leeds.
Warrington squad: Johnson, Gleeson, King, Briers, Monaghan, Morley,
Clarke, Rauhihi, L. Anderson, V.Anderson, Higham, Wood, Pickersgill, Cooper,
Riley, Mitchell, Hicks, Harrison, Bridge.
Leeds squad: Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai,
Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess,
Bailey, Gibson, Watkins, McShane.
Atten 9,863
