Warrington Wolves IMBRL 20
Southport & Ormskirk Storm 20
@ Hood Lane, Crosfields - 14/04/07 - NWC6

After defeat a week earlier to Adlington Rangers at Hood Lane, IMBRL returned to action against Southport and Ormskirk who had already picked up 2 points against IMBRL in the mist back in early February.

IMBRL were however confident of picking up the points with a full strength squad to choose from, the exception being strong running back Mick Austin. Dave Heathwood returned from his exploits in the Student European Championships with Ireland to fill the number 13 jersey giving IMBRL that elusive X factor.

As the game got underway IMBRL looked strong, however in the glorious sunshine it was Southport who took the lead after a break down IMBRL’s left hand side to make it 4-0.

At that stage IMBRL continued to press and were looking dangerous but with only 20 minutes on the clock disaster struck as workhorse forward Nat Ashurst dislocated his knee. The game was stopped until professional medical treatment could arrive on the scene. After a break of approximately 25 minutes play resumed and having seen their captain taken from the field of play via ambulance, IMBRL vowed to go on and win the game for their friend.

IMBRL struck within minutes of the restart with a training ground play. Hawley started the move finding a devastating inside line from Ste Lenihan, with the centre through the defensive line, he returned the ball to Hawley and after drawing the fullback, he was left with an open run to the line to register IMBRL’s first points of the game. Hawley added the extras to make it 6-4.

IMBRL forged further ahead with another training ground move as centre Knight hit a line out wide on the left to score after great hands from both Case and Westwood.

Using dummy runners, Case and Westwood quickly shifted the ball out wide where Knight picked up from his toes to force his way over the try line. With the conversion missed it left the scores 10-4 in IMBRL’s favour.

With no further points registered in the first half IMBRL went in at the break with a 10-4 lead. Having struggled on numerous occasions this season just after half time IMBRL got off to a flyer when Southport made a mistake on the IMBRL 20 metre line, halfback Case picked up and flew eighty metres to touchdown 10 metres in from touch on the left hand side.

However with a Southport playing moving the position of the ball the referee adjudged the touchdown to be nearer the touchline and yet again Hawley failed to goal.

Southport hit back strongly with their number 13 causing problems for IMBRL with his strong running and they went onto score 3 unanswered tries and with the visiting stand off kicking 2 conversions it made the scores 14-20 in their favour.

From the kick off Southport dropped the ball and gave the home side an opportunity to hit back with an attacking scrum on their 20 metre line. Case fed the ball in the scrum and Westwood picked up from the base to attack. Westwood moved the ball to Case who in turn found Kyle Holcroft back on the inside for the 4 points.

It however left IMBRL 2 points down and with the conversion being wide out on the left touchline where Hawley had previously missed 2 conversions the pressure was on. Hawley however slotted over the extras to tie the scores.

With 5 Minutes left on the clock IMBRL attacked again and forced Southport onto the back foot. Neil Ashurst was held up short of the line and managed to release the ball to Hawley who then in turn was held up over the Southport try line. Restarting from the 10 metre line the ball was again moved to Neil Ashurst who went agonisingly close with the field goal attempt.

It wasn’t however IMBRL’s last attempt with a minute left on the clock they received two quick penalties deep in their own territory and it allowed Hawley an opportunity from 40 metres to pick up the 2 points with the final play of the game. The ball drifted to the right of the uprights and the spoils were shared.

In an entertaining and hard fought game, IMBRL not only picked up the point but a string of injuries to Nat Ashurst (dislocated knee), Mark Moore (knee strain) and Dave Heathwood (dislocated thumb and broken wrist) ahead of their fixture on Tuesday night against Bank Quay Bulls “A” in the cup.

Man of the Match for IMBRL was again awarded to powerhouse South African prop forward Jawaad Adonis.

Wolves: Liam O'Brien, Matt Lawton, Stephen Lenihan, Jonathan Knight, Tom Mahoney, Andy Hawley, Karl Case, John Williams, Kyle Holcroft, Jawaad Adonis, Neil Ashurst, Nat Ashurst, Dave Heathwood. Subs: Andy Mahoney, Steve Brown, Jon Westwood, Mark Moore.
Tries: Hawley, Knight, Case, Holcroft
Goals: Hawley (2)