WARRINGTON Wolves were made to work hard by Super League newcomers Celtic Crusaders as they secured back to back home wins with a hard earned 27-22 victory at the Halliwell Jones.
Despite taking an early lead through Simon Grix after just three minutes it was the visitors who led 12-18 at the break, setting up a nervy second half for the Wolves.
When Grix opened the scoring with his effort converted by Chris Hicks to open up a 6-0 lead many expected the floodgates to open against a team rooted to the bottom of the league without a win.
But after a scrappy opening 20 the Crusaders scored with their first push on the Wolves’ line as Anthony Blackwood went in at the corner with Josh Hannay adding the coversion. Two minutes later the visitors were in front when Matty Smith put Lincoln Withers under the sticks with Hannay adding the extras making it 6-12.
A strong run from Paul Wood sent Lee Briers (pictured) over on 29 minutes with Hicks adding the conversion to make it 12-12.
But it was the visitors who went in leading at the interval when Hannay threw an outrageous dummy to touchdown and then added the extras to make it 12-18 at the break.
It was crucial Warrington scored first after the break and it was Matt King who came up with the goods although Hicks was wide with the coversion.
Back came the visitors with a Luke Dyer try which was not converted making it 16-22.
On 62 minutes Lee Mitchell’s try converted by Hicks drew the scores level and then with the clock ticking down Briers added a trademark drop goal to open up the narrowest of leads.
Chris Bridge sent Hicks over in the corner in the closing stages to open up a five point gap but the winger couldn’t add the extras as Warrington hung on for a nail biting victory.
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Teams: Warrington: Riley, King, Johsnon, Gleeson, Hicks, Grix, Briers, Morley, Rauhihi, Harrison, L Anderson, V Anderson, Higham. Subs: Mitchell, Bridge, Wood, Cooper.
Celtic: Blackwood, Withers, Bryant, Chan, Chalik, Duggan, Dyer, Calle Court, Quinn, Hannay, O’Hara, Mapp, Smith. Subs: Lupton, Peelu, James, Budworth.
