A stunning display by the Warrington Wizards saw them record their first win of the season as they convincingly saw off Bramley Buffaloes in clinical fashion in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National at Wilderspool Stadium.
Following three defeats it was imperative that the reigning Champions got a victory under their belt and they certainly did it in style running in twelve tries despite the valiant efforts of a very game Bramley side that never stopped competing for the full eighty minutes.
The Wizards opened the scoring in the fourth minute when two quick penalties put them deep into Buffaloes territory and quick hands cross field saw winger Ryan Cosgrove go over in the right corner and six minutes later a lovely long ball from hooker Warren Ayres cut out three defenders and found winger Craig Middlemore who collected and raced thirty metres to score in the left corner. Ayres landed touchline conversions to both tries.
Bramley hit back on thirteen minutes when a penalty close to the Wizards line was exploited to the full when hooker Richard Hulme went on his own from dummy half and darted over at the side of the posts. Scrum half Graham Harrison added the conversion but the Wizards then responded when they ran the ball on the last tackle and stand off Alan Reddecliff’s inside ball found centre Darren Forshaw who powered over the defender to score. Ayres added the goal points.
The Wizards continued to turn on the style and Reddecliff’s break was carried on by substitute Shaun Gilmour and although he was held short a quick play the ball had the Buffaloes defence all at sea and second row Paul Alcock took advantage to score under the posts, Ayres goaling and then just after the half hour substitute Hayden James went from dummy half to score following a 40/20 from Reddecliff. Reddecliff took over the goalkicking duties to tag on the extras.
Right on the stroke of half time a solo effort from the impressive Reddecliff saw him spin out of three attempted tackles to score under the posts. Reddecliff goaled himself to make the interval score 36-6 to the Wizards.
The Wizards started the second half off again on the front foot and were rewarded when a short ball from Alcock found substitute Dan Faulkner who barged over from close range at the side of the posts for a try converted by prop forward Nick Owen and four minutes later good work close to the Bramley saw full back Carl Lloyd go over wide on the left.
The next Wizards brought up the half century when Reddecliff received the ball from the scrum and his arching run saw him round the cover with ease to go over under the posts for his second try and then a great break by second row Troy Brophy split the Buffaloes defence and he found Lloyd in support to score under the posts. Owen added both conversions.
On the hour Bramley second row Nathan Smith was sin binned for punching and from the resultant penalty the ball was quickly swept out wide and Lloyd managed to squeeze over in the corner for his third try of the afternoon and then in the final minute a great fifty metre break by game star Forshaw split the Buffaloes defence and he sent Cosgrove over at the side of the posts to round off an excellent 66-6 win.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Wizards captain Alan Reddecliff although he was run very closely by centre Darren Forshaw who was a constant torment to the Buffaloes defence. Scrum half Graham Healey, second row Paul Alcock and full back Carl Lloyd also shone in an excellent all-round team performance.
Now the Wizards travel to Huddersfield Underbank Rangers in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final on Saturday afternoon in The Co-operative Rugby League Conference National, kick off is 3.30pm. The coach leaves The Village Hotel at 12.30pm for any supporters wishing to travel. Please contact Nikki Whalley on 01925 837829 to secure a place.
WIZARDS
Carl Lloyd, Ryan Cosgrove, Darren Forshaw, Liam Walsh, Craig Middlemore, Alan Reddecliff, Graham Healey, Nick Owen, Warren Ayres, Dan Stubbs, Paul Alcock, Troy Brophy, Matt Wilson.
Subs: Hayden James, Jordan Unsworth, Dan Faulkner, Shaun Gilmour.
