Broughton Park 19 Warrington 32

WARRINGTON fought back from six points behind with 12 minutes remaining to win at Broughton Park on Saturday.

Warrington’s front row established dominance over the heavier Park pack but the home side soon proved more street-wise in the breakdown and the tackle.

But first blood went to Warrington when Nathan Beasley was halted after a mazy run but Park were penalized at the ensuing breakdown and Darren Norman put three points on the board.

After withstanding a period of Park pressure, Warrington added to their points total when Norman kicked a second penalty but Park responded with two five yard scrums.

From the second of these they released their backs and scored a copybook try in the corner.

It was possession from a line five yards out which allowed Warrington to set up a good ruck before scrum-half Ben Hockenhull picked up and flashed a disguised back pass to prop Elliot Johnstone, who crashed over. Norman converted.

The second half was littered with Warrington mistakes, with ball being spilled or handed over in the tackle.

Park punished Warrington’s uncharacteristic fumbling after the break, kicking three penalties to take a 19-13 lead.

Realising the opposition was tiring fast, Warrington started to run the ball at every opportunity and a break by Keiran Hughes, continued by Max Walker, gave Norman the opportunity to squeeze in at the corner.

Then, after the forwards had worked patiently through six phases, Hughes skipped over from close range. Norman converted to take Warrington into a six-point lead.

The game, and the bonus point, was sealed in the closing minutes when Hughes threw a long pass to Matt Connelly, who took the ball brilliantly at ankle level.

He broke through the defence and touched down between the posts to allow Norman a final conversion.

“We always find it difficult at Broughton Park,” said coach Andy Roberts.

“For three quarters of the game we played probably our worst rugby of the season.

“Fortunately, we eventually found our mojo and scored 19 unanswered points in 12 minutes. “However, the three teams above us in the league all achieved bonus point victories, so the table remains unchanged, with just five points separating the top four.”

Warrington seconds suffered a 15-10 defeat in the reverse fixture at home. Shaun McDermott was on target with a penalty, before converting a late try from number eight James Brazendale.