Gallant Wizards beaten by league leaders

A very exciting Co-operative Rugby League Conference National game went the way of league leaders Huddersfield Underbank Rangers as they held off a very gallant effort by Warrington Wizards at a sun drenched Wilderspool.
The first half was nip and tuck as the injury ravaged Wizards bravely took the game to the unbeaten pace setters and a bit more luck at vital times for the home side could have seen a much different scoreline that what transpired.
The Wizards opened the scoring in the fifth minute when great work by scrum half Ryan Millington put his brother second row Craig Millington through a gap and he passed back to Ryan who scored on the right. Hooker Warren Ayres added the conversion but six minutes later a kick by scrum half Neil Barrett cannoned off a Wizards player and centre Alex Chatterton collected to score on the right despite a huge double movement that was missed by the officials.
Almost immediately the visitors took the lead when hooker Adam Carroll found second row Sam Housley who broke through the line to score on the left; Barrett goaled but then the Wizards hit back when a high kick by R. Millington was fumbled by Rangers in the in-goal area and stand off Chris Campbell pounced on the loose ball to score. Ayres converted to give his side the lead once again.
That advantage was stretched five minutes later when close to the line, loose forward Alan Reddecliff went down the blind on the last tackle and put Campbell over in the left corner but then Huddersfield’s Housley managed to squeeze over in the left corner after good work from centre Adam Ryder. Barrett converted to level the scores.
Right on the stroke of half time a Wizards error on their own thirty metre line was punished when Rangers prop forward Craig Williams broke through two attempted tackles to score under the posts. Barrett’s conversion gave his side a 22-16 interval lead.
Huddersfield moved further ahead seven minutes into the second half when a break by substitute Paul Horsfall took his side to within five metres of the Wizards line and a quick play the ball saw Midgley go over on the right, Barrett goaled and then five minutes later Barrett went down the blind on the last tackle and put Ryder over in the left corner.
Just after the hour Huddersfield substitute Chris Geoghegan powered over from close range and he repeated the trick five minutes later, both tries coming via fine work from stand off Sam Hendrick, but the Wizards still refused to give up as a fine try from substitute Jordan Unsworth, goaled by R. Millington gave them hope of gaining a deserved bonus point.
That hope was cruelly extinguished four minutes from time when Rangers winger Shaun Smith intercepted a Wizards pass and raced ninety metres to score in the left corner and make the final score a very flattering 44-22 to Huddersfield.
Best for the Wizards were Darren Forshaw, Chris Campbell, Paul Reynolds and Mike Rosson.
The Wizards entertain Hemel Stags in a vital The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National fixture this coming Sunday afternoon. Kick off is 2.30pm at Wilderspool Stadium.

WIZARDS
Craig Middlemore, James Rosson, Liam Walsh, Darren Forshaw, Tom Blaney, Chris Campbell, Ryan Millington, Mike Rosson, Warren Ayres, Paul Reynolds, Troy Brophy, Craig Millington, Alan Reddecliff.
Subs:Hayden James, Taylor Wheat, Jordan Unsworth, Mike Leicester.