WARRINGTON Wizards suffered a disappointing 78-22 defeat at Featherstone Lions in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National to remain in the wrong half of the league table.
The Wizards started promisingly and held the lead twice in the opening quarter but a combination of silly handling errors and miss tackles saw the Lions take control after that to register a comfortable victory.
Warrington opened the scoring after four minutes when a high kick by scrum half Billy Sheen caused chaos in the Featherstone defence and he managed to collect the loose ball and score in the corner but then eight minutes later good work from Lions hooker Dean Gamble saw him find prop forward Mark Kear who raced over. Full back Ian Jackson added the conversion.
Shortly afterwards the Wizards regained the lead when Sheen took the ball forward from a scrum before passing on to stand off Alan Reddecliff who found second row Paul Reynolds in support to score. Loose forward Nick Owen landed the conversion but then straight from the restart the Lions managed to find touch and from they managed to capitalise from the resulting scrum with scrum half Scott Glassell scoring at the right of the posts. Jackson added on the goal points.
The Lions were now starting to dictate play and they increased their lead when Jackson profited from some weak tackling to score a try that he goaled himself and then on the half hour a strong run from substitute Bart Thomsen was carried on by Jackson who put substitute Kyle Littlewood over.
Two more quick tries before the break for the rampant Lions from centre Danny Glassell and prop forward Craig Barker, both goaled by Jackson saw the home side take a healthy 34-10 half time advantage.
Three minutes into the second half the Wizards gave themselves a glimmer of hope when lovely play saw the ball spread the width of the field for teenage substitute Taylor Wheat to squeeze over in the corner for his first try for the club but that hope was soon extinguished when the impressive Gamble scored a try that was converted by Jackson.
By now the home side were in complete control and three quick converted tries saw them lead 58-14 before the Wizards stemmed the tide on the hour as quick handling saw centre Darren Forshaw put Wheat over for his second try.
Another converted try for the Lions was then followed by a try for Wizards winger Mike Stout after good handling but then an interception try for D. Glassell, converted by Jackson was followed by two further unconverted tries to complete a convincing 78-22 win for the Lions.
Best for the Wizards were centre Darren Forshaw, second row Paul Reynolds, scrum half Billy Sheen and loose forward Nick Owen.
Warrington Wizards travel to Bramley Buffaloes on Friday evening in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National. The coach leaves The Village Hotel at 5.00pm for any supporters wishing to travel. Please contact Nikki Whalley on 01925 837829 to secure your place.
WIZARDS
Chris Campbell, Mike Stout, Liam Walsh, Darren Forshaw, Troy Brophy, Alan Reddecliff, Billy Sheen, Shaun Gilmour, Warren Ayres, Dan Stubbs, Mike Rosson, Paul Reynolds, Nick Owen.
Subs: Dan Faulkner, Mike Grady, Jordan Unsworth, Taylor Wheat.
WARRINGTON Wizards suffered a disappointing 78-22 defeat at Featherstone
Lions in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National to remain in
the wrong half of the league table.
Wizards mauled by Lions
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
