WARRINGTON Wizards bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat to record a very hard fought victory at Bramley Buffaloes in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National.
Yet again the Wizards had a much changed side, with three players making their debuts for the club, but they gelled really well to gain a richly deserved victory over their old adversaries in a game played in driving rain throughout that made handling very difficult.
The Wizards opened the scoring in the seventh minute; a superb 40/20 by loose forward Jono Smith saw the Wizards get a scrum deep into the Buffaloes half and then a further penalty saw them take full advantage as Smith burrowed through some weak tackling to score and then six minutes later three quick penalties in a row for the Wizards, all for dissent, put them close to the Bramley line and Smith made them pay when he went over at the side of the posts for a try that he goaled himself.
Bramley got themselves back into the game just before the half hour when a kick through from stand off Louie Barrett held up in the in-goal area and centre Nick Fontaine was quickest to react to touchdown but the Wizards soon responded when great work from second row Paul Alcock saw him dummy his way through the Buffaloes defence to score. Smith converted and then added a penalty in the final minute of the half to give his side an 18-4 interval advantage.
The Wizards lead was increased three minutes into the second half when good work from half back’s Chris Campbell and Warren Ayres created room for winger Troy Brophy to score in the left corner. Smith landed a superb touchline conversion but almost immediately a Wizards error was pounced on by Barrett who snapped up the loose ball to score.
A short kick from Wizards centre Liam Walsh on the last tackle was collected by substitute Billy Sheen and he passed back to Walsh who scored wide out and then on the hour an opportunist try by Bramley’s Fontaine that was converted by Barrett proved to be the final scoring act of the game as the Wizards saw them record a very satisfactory 28-14 victory.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards inspirational loose forward Jono Smith. He was very well supported by Warren Ayres, Paul Alcock, Troy Brophy and Carl Lloyd.
Warrington Wizards travel to Dewsbury Celtic on Saturday lunch time in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National looking to build on a morale boosting victory at Bramley Buffaloes last Friday. Kick off has been brought forward to 12.30pm to avoid a clash with the Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors Carnegie Challenge Cup tie. The coach leaves The Village Hotel at 9.30am for any supporters wishing to travel. Please contact Nikki Whalley on 01925 837829 to secure your place.
WIZARDS
Carl Lloyd, Hayden Gahgan, Liam Walsh, Darren Forshaw, Troy Brophy, Chris Campbell, Warren Ayres, Nick Owen, Hayden James, Dan Stubbs, Paul Alcock, Paul Reynolds, Jono Smith.
Subs: Billy Sheen, Tom Blaney, Mike Rosson, Anthony Reilly.
WARRINGTON Wizards bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat to
record a very hard fought victory at Bramley Buffaloes in The
Co-operative Rugby League Conference National.
Wizards bounce back
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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.
