Warrington Guardian Sports Editor Mike Parsons marks 30 years of supporting and reporting on Warrington Wolves.


PERHAPS it is my age, but I seem to be able to remember events of 28 years ago better than something that happened last week.

And I have no problems recalling one of the greatest opportunist tries I have seen, which was scored by Steve Hesford in a thrilling John Player semi-final tie at Wilderspool against Hull Kingston Rovers.

Hesford, more renowned for his club record goal-kicking exploits than crossing the whitewash, scored Wire's only try in a 9-5 success after a titanic battle between the top two teams in the league.

His up-and-unders always came down with snow on them and on April 1, 1979, KR full back Dave Hall was made to look a fool as he attempted to catch Hesford's massive kick from deep inside Warrington's half.

Hesford chased his own hoof for 50m before snatching the ball from Hall's grasp as it came back down to earth, leaving the right centre with a 30m clear run to the try line.

It was wonderful, as a 10-year-old, to see Warrington defend their trophy with such style and defeat the league leaders.

Of course, it was then so disappointing to see Wire go on and lose the final against Widnes at St Helens' Knowsley Road ground a few weeks later.

With this being the Robins' first season in Super League - and their first trip to The Halliwell Jones Stadium - attempting to recall the last league clash between the two teams has been quite a test.

In fact, Wolves coaches Paul Cullen, Gary Chambers and Dave Elliott were all in the Warrington team when the sides met at Craven Park in March, 1994.

Welsh Union and League international Allan Bateman's two tries are the most memorable aspect of the game for me.

Cullen may be less interested to learn that he was a member of the last Warrington team that lost at home to KR. He was a try scorer in the 22-11 loss 22 years ago.

Another of Warrington's current coaches, Paul Darbyshire, was a substitute in Warrington's last home league win against Rovers at Wilderspool in October, 1993.

Probably the other league clash with the Robins that stands out most in my mind was the huge win of 1989.

It was the first time in 12 years of watching Wire that I had seen them break the 60 points barrier in one match.

And it was so unexpected, coming on the back of five successive defeats.

Warrington had 10 different try scorers on that day, with Oldham-based back row forward Mark Roberts the only player to cross for a double.

My other memories of clashes with Hull KR come in the Challenge Cup - but I will save those for in two weeks' time when Rovers return to The Halliwell Jones Stadium for the fourth-round tie in the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup.