Season ends in defeat for Wizards

WARRINGTON Wizards finished their 2011 the Co-operative Rugby League Conference National season with a defeat at Nottingham Outlaws in a 52-42 points fest.
The Wizards opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a good drive by second row Mike Rosson put them deep into the Nottingham half and slick handling allowed scrum half Graham Healey to go over for an unconverted try and then six minutes later good handling close to the line was rewarded as prop forward Dan Faulkner managed to keep the ball alive and offload to full back Chris Campbell who found loose forward Paul Alcock in support to score on the left. Hooker Nick Owen added the conversion.
A great rampaging run by Faulkner saw him blast through the Outlaws defence before finding fellow prop Dan Stubbs on his inside to score under the posts; Owen goaled but then Nottingham hit back with two quick tries through loose George Strachan and substitute Jimmy Goodwin both goaled by winger Shane Wright to narrow the deficit to four points.
Two minutes before the break the Wizards pulled clear again when Healey dummied his way through before putting Campbell over on the left. Owen converted but then right on the stroke of half time Outlaws second row Coryn Ward managed to stretch over on the right. Wright added the conversion to make the half time score 26-18 to the Wizards.
Four minutes into the second half a break by Campbell paved the way for Owen and Faulkner to combine and put centre John Morley in at the left corner but then almost immediately Wright intercepted a stray Wizards pass and raced fifty metres to score under the posts and add a simple conversion.
The Wizards continued to throw the ball about and a lovely pass from Campbell saw him put second row Mike Rosson away to score; Owen goaled and then just before the hour mark Alcock broke through down the middle and raced over under the posts. Substitute Dave Whalley added the conversion to make the score 42-24.
Nottingham to their credit never gave up and took control in the final quarter against a tiring Wizards side. Substitute Steve Blagden, Goodwin and Strachan all crossed in quick succession. Wright converted all three tries to bring the scores level at 42-42 with ten minutes remaining.
The Outlaws went ahead for the first time when centre Adam Millward scored out wide and then they made the game safe two minutes from time when centre Eddie Shaw scored under the posts. Wright goaled the latter to round off a thrilling 52-42 victory for the home side.
Best for the Wizards were centre John Morley, prop forward Dan Faulkner, loose forward Paul Alcock and second row Mike Rosson.
After the game Wizards Head Coach Chris Campbell said, “It was disappointing that we couldn’t finish the season on a positive note but we simply ran out of steam once again in the closing stages. The lads gave their all and I couldn’t fault the effort they put in and with a bit more luck we would have got the win but it just wasn’t meant to be. It has been a very difficult season but we will have to regroup now in the close season and come back stronger next year.”

WIZARDS
Chris Campbell, James Rosson, John Morley, Darren Forshaw, Christian Taylor, Alan Reddecliff, Graham Healey, Dan Faulkner, Nick Owen, Dan Stubbs, Paul Reynolds, Mike Rosson, Andy Ascroft, Paul Alcock.
Subs:Mike Grady, Mark Grady, Dave Whalley, Mike Leicester.