Warrington Wolves IMBRL 8
Woolston Rovers 26
@ Hood Lane, Crosfields - 02/09/06 - NWC6

Warrington IMBRL made a historic entrance to North West Counties rugby league with a clash against the reformed Woolston Rovers, the once cream of the amateur scene.

The Wolves were aware that they would be in for a battle against a Rovers side whom included a number of experienced players from their days in the National Conference including coaching duo Clint Rylance and Liam Horrigan and substitute half-back Steve Martin. IMBRL old boy Adam Williams also made the Rovers side in the centre.

Warrington meanwhile had real selection dilemmas to make ahead of the big contest with coaching duo Paul Arnison and Mark Moore having the unenviable task of selecting 17 players from a squad of 19 who made themselves available for selection.

As it was a strong side took the field of play, with former Leigh Miners centre Paul Rudd making his debut in the squad from the bench. Rick Lenihan was particularly unlucky not to make the cut but will more than have his part to play throughout the long campaign.

The game was played in pretty poor conditions and if the visitors from Woolston thought that they would be in for an easy afternoon, they soon found out that wouldn't be the case as the IMBRL boys got stuck in from minute one.

Indeed it was the Wolves who took the lead in the early stages thanks to a Andy Hawley penalty goal and in a very tight first-half the only other score came via Paul Berry’s unconverted try for Rovers. Hawley had previously been unable to land his second shot at a penalty goal for the home side.

At 2-4 the game was anybody’s for the taking but it was the visitors who took the upper hand as the inspirational Martin began to boss the game and his try alongside one from Mike Walker put Rovers in control after the break.

However a converted score from IMBRL half-back Karl Case gave the home side hope as the Wolves scrum-half was pushed over the Rovers line by his own players before breaking from the mass pile of bodies to score the clubs first ever North West Counties try.

With renewed confidence the Wolves once again fancied their chances but they were then dealt a bitter blow towards the end as Billy Mauder crossed following what appeared to be a double movement to the frustration of the Warrington players and fans.

And IMBRL's fate was confirmed when wise head Martin crossed for his second on the hooter to put an end to IMBRL’s bold bid after a key error from the scrum base.

Men of the Match as voted by the opposition were Nat Ashurst (Warrington) and Paul Berry (Woolston).

Wolves
1) Liam O'Brien
2) Matt Lawton
3) Stephen Lenihan
4) Jonathan Knight
5) Tom Mahoney
6) Andy Hawley (2 goals)
7) Karl Case (1 try)
8) Neil Ashurst
9) Kyle Holcroft
10) John Williams
11) Jon Westwood
12) Danny Elliott
13) Nat Ashurst
Subs:
14) Paul Rudd
15) Tom Wright
16) Steve Rutter
17) Paul Arnison