Adlington Rangers "A" 18
Warrington Wolves IMBRL 58
@ The Top Rec, Adlington - 09/09/06 - NWC6

Warrington IMBRL recorded a sensational first victory in North West counties rugby league with a thumping 18-58 away demolition of Adlington Rangers “A”.

After a gritty and gutsy opening day performance in which the Wolves learnt greatly from their experience of playing against Woolston, this match was earmarked as one in which the club could register their first ever league win.

Following the bruising derby against Rovers, IMBRL lost bench players Paul Rudd and Tom Wright to injury, whilst wingman Tom Marney was unavailable due to work commitments.

However the size and strength of the IMBRL squad was highlighted with players of equal strength in the shape of Rick Lenihan, Gaz Edwards and Mick Austin able to take their place in the 17.

Dressed in their brand new strip the Wolves took to the field in confident mood aware of the battle ahead against a big and strong Rangers size.

Having won the toss at kick-off, the visitors elected to play down the uneven pitch in the first forty and it proved to be a master stroke as from the word go the Wolves began a try scoring procession in the late summer sunshine.

Throughout the 80 minutes the Wolves were largely dominant and crossed for 11 tries in total with braces for Stephen Lenihan, Andy Hawley and Jon Westwood, whilst Kyle Holcroft, Mick Austin, Matt Lawton, Karl Case and Jonathan Knight also notched scores, with Hawley landing seven successful goals.

The game proved to be a fitting highlight of the talent available in the IMBRL back division, which the club must continue to utilise in future encounters.

Signs of the clubs ever improving defensive structure was also evident too with Rangers kept scoreless in the first forty minutes in a scene reminiscent to the opening day loss against Woolston, who only once crossed the IMBRL line that day.

On an afternoon when the Wolves back line were really on form, half-backs Case and Hawley led by example whilst the performance of Stephen Lenihan was also to be praised. Meanwhile Captain Nat Ashurst topped the drive and tackle count.

Wolves
1) Mike Austin (7HU, 5T, 1 try)
2) Matt Lawton (4HU, 3T, 1 try)
3) Stephen Lenihan (1HU, 8T, 2 tries)
4) Liam O’Brien (7HU, 5T)
5) Rick Lenihan (5HU, 6T)
6) Andy Hawley (1HU, 6T, 2 tries, 7 goals)
7) Karl Case (3HU, 10T, 1 try)
8) John Williams (5HU, 7T)
9) Kyle Holcroft (3HU, 6T, 1 try)
10) Neil Ashurst (4HU, 8T)
11) Jon Westwood (2HU, 3T, 2 tries)
12) Jonathan Knight (4HU, 8T, 1 try)
13) Nat Ashurst (13HU, 21T)
Subs:
14) Danny Elliott (2HU, 4T)
15) Gareth Edwards (7HU, 4T)
16) Steve Rutter (3HU, 7T)
17) Paul Arnison (4HU, 7T)

* Stats by Keith Ryan