Second successive defeat for Wizards

WARRINGTON Wizards suffered their second successive defeat when they were beaten by Featherstone Lions in a high scoring Co-operative Rugby League Conference National game at Wilderspool Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions twice held commanding leads but the Wizards pegged them back before finally running out of time as the visitors held on for a deserved win to leave the Wizards winless after the opening two rounds.
Featherstone opened the scoring in the seventh minute when scrum half Ricky Williams stepped through a gap close to the line to score an unconverted try on the right and then nine minutes later centre Danny Glassel made a sixty metre break, fending off four defenders before putting winger Sam Wilson over. Full back Ian Jackson added the conversion.
The Lions pulled further clear when from a penalty on the Wizards ten metre line loose forward Richard Frankland put Jackson through a huge gap to score at the side of the posts, Jackson converting but then the Wizards got themselves back into the game when stand off Alan Reddecliff chipped through on the last tackle and loose forward Anthony Rourke collected to score under the posts. Hooker Warren Ayres added the conversion.
Four minutes before the break good work by Wizards scrum half Ian Stephenson saw him put full back Chris Campbell over on the right. Ayres goaled to make the half time score 16-12 to the Lions.
The Lions got the first try of the second half when a long ball from Williams sent centre Danny Glassel clear and he returned the ball to Williams who scored under the posts. Jackson converted and then the inspirational Jackson made a break from his own thirty metre line and chipped over the defence before re-gathering to race away and score in the left corner.
The Wizards hit back on sixty six minutes when quick hands close to the line saw substitute Scott Davidson put Campbell over on the right for a try converted by prop forward Nick Owen to reduce the gap but then a penalty and drop goal from Jackson put the Lions eleven points clear.
The home side gave themselves a lifeline six minutes from time when a penalty close to the Lions line saw stand off Alan Reddecliff step though the line to score under the posts. Owen goaled to make the deficit just five points.
In a thrilling finale the Wizards pressed the Lions line and a high kick by Owen bounced awkwardly but unfortunately for the Wizards it was the Lions’ Glassel who managed to pounce on the ball and race eighty metres to score in the left corner and make the final score 33-24 to the Lions.
Best for the Wizards were Alan Reddecliff, Chris Campbell, Graham Healey and Anthony Rourke.
The Wizards aim to bounce back when they entertain Dewsbury Celtic in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool Stadium, kick off 3.30pm.
Wizards Assistant Coach Mike Grady said, “We were outplayed for long periods against Featherstone last week which was very disappointing. They were a lot more enthusiastic than us and deserved to win; we were just not good enough. There will be some harsh words in training and changes may have to be made, we cannot play like we have for the last two weeks and expect to do well. It’s going to be a long seven days now before our next game but we expect a reaction from the lads to put things right and get us off the mark.”
Grady added, “Dewsbury will provide us with a very stern test. They have had two good wins so will come here with confidence and we will have to make sure we match them. It is a game we must win to get us back on track and Chris Campbell and myself will ensure that the lads are properly prepared for it. We know that it is a marathon not a sprint but we want to get that first win on the board as soon as possible.”
Further information on the Wizards can be obtained from club administrator Dave Whalley on 01925 837829, e-mail to [email protected] or by logging onto the club website at www.warringtonwizards.org.uk for all of the latest news.

WIZARDS
Chris Campbell, Graham Healey, Dave Yii, Carl Lloyd, Darren Forshaw, Alan Reddecliff, Ian Stephenson, Nick Owen, Warren Ayres, Wez Lawton, Matt Taylor, Mike Stout, Anthony Rourke.
Subs: Troy Brophy, Scott Davidson, Dan Faulkner, Dan Stubbs.