Warrington Wolves IMBRL 15
Newton Storm 12
@ Hood Lane, Crosfields - 07/10/06 - NWC6

Sixth met fifth in division six at Hood Lane as Warrington were aiming to build on their success at Wigan St Cuthberts with a victory over local rivals Newton Storm.

In the early days of IMBRL, Newton had been Warrington's first ever amateur opponents and on the day in question the side was sent packing 36-4 at Menses Park.

However three years is a long time in rugby league and since then IMBRL have enjoyed a prominent rise to league status which now allows them to compete on an even footing with long established teams such as the Storm.

With league results thus far, an even contest was promised and what was served up on the field of play certainly didn't disappoint for the spectators.

Ahead of the contest there were big selection problems for the coaching staff with no less than 20 players declaring themselves available for selection; as it was Matt Lawton, John Spreadbury and Tom Mahoney were unfortunate to miss out whilst Mick Austin was unavailable through illness.

The visitors from Newton certainly looked ready for battle and got stuck in from the first moment, indeed for large part of the opening half they threw everything at the home defence, which finally cracked to allow them to go into a 0-12 lead.

At that stage Storm seemed to be in control but there had been little glimpses of promise for the home side which had included Karl Case's length of the field break which unfortunately didn't return any points.

The Wolves continued to build however and were finally rewarded when Paul Arnison hit a crash ball to smash his was over. Andy Hawley duly obliged with the extras and IMBRL were in with a shot, going into the second period.

More inspirational pieces of defensive play were evident into the second stanza from IMBRL who again soaked up the visitors immense pressure before hitting back.

A fine sweeping move got IMBRL closer as Stephen Lenihan went over in the corner after the ball had been shipped through numerous hands.

Storm still held a 12-10 lead but when Hawley forced a goal line drop out, full-back Dave Heathwood who was in inspired mood all day collected possession and then scorched down the touchline for a score that put IMBRL up by two points.

Hawley later slotted home a field goal to edge the Wolves out to a three point lead and the side then showed more heroic effort in defence as Newton were held up twice over the line in the final moments.

Man of the Match for IMBRL was Hawley and there were fine efforts from all members of the side with a team ethos again key to success as the side moved up to fifth in the league table.

Wolves
1) Dave Heathwood
2) Liam O' Brien
3) Stephen Lenihan
4) Jonathan Knight
5) Rick Lenihan
6) Andy Hawley
7) Karl Case
8) Keith Ryan
9) Mark Moore
10) Neil Ashurst
11) Jon Westwood
12) John Williams
13) Nat Ashurst
Subs:
14) Kyle Holcroft
15) Paul Arnison
16) Danny Elliott
17) Gaz Edwards

Tries: Arnison, O' Brien, Heathwood
Goals: Hawley
FG: Hawley