Wizards tame Bears!

WARRINGTON Wizards recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season when they comprehensively won at third placed Coventry Bears in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National.
The Wizards were strengthened significantly compared to previous weeks and that showed out on the field, especially in the second half, as they went over for some top quality tries to comfortably record an excellent win that moves them up the table
Warrington were temporarily reduced to twelve men after ten minutes when second row Jono Smith was sin binned for dissent but they didn’t let the numerical disadvantage affect them as they opened the scoring when a kick down field by loose forward Craig Millington bounced awkwardly and wrong footed the Bears full back and centre Dave Yii was on hand to collect and race over at the side of the posts. Hooker Warren Ayres added the conversion but Coventry hit back three minutes later when a short ball from hooker Alex Brown found loose forward Simon Perry who sped over at speed from close range.
The Wizards were once again reduced to twelve men for ten minutes just before the half hour when substitute Tony Haddock was yellow carded for a high tackle but again the Wizards didn’t let this affect them as six minutes before the break a good offload from J. Smith sent scrum half Chris Campbell racing through a gap before finding Yii in support and he managed to pass back to Campbell who scored at the left of the posts. Ayres goaled to give the Wizards a deserved 12-4 half time advantage.
Two minutes into the second half a chip through from Wizards stand off Alan Reddecliff saw J. Smith react quickest to collect and score under the posts, Ayres goaling and then six minutes later second row Paul Alcock went on his own from acting half back close to the line and despite having three defenders on him he managed to twist in the tackle and touchdown on the left.
The Wizards were now in total control and a break by Campbell from deep inside his own half was carried on by J. Smith and he passed back to Campbell who sent substitute Mike Rosson racing over to score on the right and almost immediately a great fifty metre break by J. Smith split the Coventry defence and he found Campbell in support to race thirty metres and score wide out on the right. Ayres converted the former to make the score 32-4.
Another break by J. Smith set up the Wizards next try when he found substitute Mike Stout who put winger Troy Brophy over in the left corner but then just before the hour Coventry got their second try of the afternoon when Perry powered over from close range for a try converted by centre Steve Coleman.
The Bears narrowed the gap further when a lovely short ball from scrum half Scott Clendenning-Fenton put second row Matt Cooper through a huge gap to score under the posts; Coleman goaling but the Wizards responded when a quick twenty metre tap by Reddecliff saw him race fifty metres before the move was carried on by full back Carl Lloyd and Brophy. A quick play the ball had the Bears defence all at sea and the ball reached J. Smith who broke out of an attempted tackle to power over on the right and he also added the conversion himself.
In the final minute a forty metre break by Campbell saw him brilliantly held up over the line but from the play the ball centre Liam Walsh gave a lovely inside ball to Lloyd who went over. J. Smith converted but there was still time for Coventry to register a consolation try when they regathered the ball from the kick off and centre Chad Grant scored on the right to make the final score 48-20 to a very impressive Wizards side.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards scrum half Chris Campbell. He was very well supported by Leighton Smith, Jono Smith and Alan Reddecliff.
Warrington Wizards will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they entertain Kippax Knights in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National this coming Saturday afternoon. Kick off is 3.30pm at Wilderspool Stadium. Admission is £3 for Adults and £1 for Concessions. As a special promotion for this game, Warrington Wolves Season Ticket Holders will gain free admission on production of their season ticket booklets.

WIZARDS
Carl Lloyd, Graham Healey, Dave Yii, Liam Walsh, Troy Brophy, Alan Reddecliff, Chris Campbell, Dan Stubbs, Warren Ayres, Leighton Smith, Paul Alcock, Jono Smith, Craig Millington.
Subs: Craig Middlemore, Mike Stout, Mike Rosson, Tony Haddock.