Pictures Eddie Whitham
DARYL Powell tasted defeat in his first match as Warrington coach as the Wolves went down 14-6 to Wigan in Stefan Ratchford’s testimonial match.
A record testimonial crowd at the Halliwell Jones of 7,657 turned out to celebrate the full-back’s long service to the club, which enters an 11th year in 2022.
Touch of class, @WiganWarriorsRL 👏 pic.twitter.com/1Iy2GrUlYU
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 29, 2022
Wigan themselves had a new coach in the dugout, Matt Peet having stepped up from his role with the youth section at the Warriors.
He would have been the happier of the two coaches ahead of the new Super League season starting in a fortnight.
Jai Field, sidelined for much of last year with injury, scored the game’s opening try on 21 minutes, converting it himself.
New signing Iain Thornley then dived over in the corner and the Warriors led 10-0 at half time.
There was a first look for Wire fans at new signings Oliver Holmes and Peter Matau’tia and Joe Bullock, signed from the night’s opponents.
They had to wait 55 minutes for the first Wire try of 2022 though, Matty Ashton scoring it before Ratchford converted from the touchline.
Hopes of a fightback were shortlived, Field crossing for his second try three minutes later.
Josh Thewlis and Ben Currie had late chances either side of Kaide Ellis being sent to the sin bin on his Wigan debut.
But regardless of the result, it was a celebration of Ratchford’s career tinged with some sadness – a minute’s silence was held prior to the game in memory of former Wire and Great Britain winger Des Drummond, whose passing was announced shortly before kick-off.
Warrington: Ratchford, Charnley, Mata’utia, Wrench, Ashton, Widdop, Williams, Philbin, Walker, Mulhern, Currie, Holmes, Davis. Subs: D Clark, J Clark, Bullock, Thewlis, Longstaff, Robson, Dean.
Wigan: Field, Marshall, Bibby, Pearce-Paul, Thornley, Cust, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Ellis, Farrell, Bateman, Isa. Subs: Byrne, Mago, Smithies, Shorrocks, Miski, Partington, O’Neill, Halsall, Smith, Hanley, Nsemba, Eckersley.
💬 @ratch06: "I can't thank the fans enough."
Our full-back reacts to tonight's Testimonial game pic.twitter.com/PGj8iYBltx
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 29, 2022
👏👏 @ratch06 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/bhM1Id45yP
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 29, 2022
