A YOUNG Warrington Wolves side went down 36-22 to Widnes in their first outing of 2025.
Only a sprinkling of first team faces featured for Warrington, with Zane Musgrove and Stefan Ratchford the only experienced players of note, and new signings Oli Leyland, Dan Russell and rugby union convert Alfie Johnson playing from the start.
Former Wolves half-back Dec Patton inspired a bright start for Widnes, who took the lead when he linked up with Tom Gilmore and Jack Owens to put Mike Butt in at the corner.
Leyland’s high kicks were causing problems for Widnes winger Cameron Brown, and from one, Johnson jumped highest to touch down and get the Wolves on the board.
Russell then strolled through for a try on his first outing in Wolves colours, taking on a short ball from Leyland to make it 10-6.
Moments after Warrington lost Ratchford to a HIA, Rhodri Lloyd ran a good line to take Patton’s pass to the try line to nudge Widnes in front, but Warrington led 16-12 at half time thanks to a walk in for Jake Thewlis in the left corner, after Brown’s knock-on had gifted Warrington an attacking scrum.
A drop from the kick-off gifted field position to set up Johnson’s second try in the opening minutes of the second half as Warrington started in control, but a drop at the other end by Johnson gifted Widnes a scrum they scored from in the corner via Butt.
Warrington were still on the front foot, despite ringing the changes, until Joe Edge intercepted a pass close to his own line and was chased down by Joe Hickey, eventually finding the try line himself a couple of tackles later courtesy of an Owens offload and Adam Jones pass, with Patton converting from the touchline to nudge the Vikings in front.
Gilmore, back on the field for Patton, dummied his way through the Warrington line to set up Dan Murray, via Joe Lyons to crash over, and the same three linked up again for a sixth try on 73 minutes. This time Gilmore’s kick aimed for the crossbar was handed back by Murray for Lyons to touch down and seal the win.
Warrington: Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, Bardsley-Rowe, Lindop, Johnson, Ratchford, Leyland, Musgrove, Hartill, Wood, Tupaea, Russell, Whitehead. Subs: Green, Thomas, Bajer, Gardner, Hickey, Irwin, Marshall, McKinney, Sargent, Smith.
Widnes: Owens, Brown, Edge, Fleming, Butt, Patton, Gilmore, Murray, Doolan, Reilly, Lloyd, Langtree, Lannon. Subs: Bennion, Bent, Fozard, Jones, Kirk, Lyons, Roberts, Hall.
🎬 Highlights from last night's pre-season derby against Widnes pic.twitter.com/oq3szH5QLP
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 18, 2025
Two tries on his first start in primrose and blue for Alfie Johnson 👏 pic.twitter.com/HwE6uaCCfq
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) January 18, 2025