Warrington last played Hoylake in 2011/12 season when the honours were even in close matches, Hoylake winning at home 26-21 and Warrington in the return fixture 13-10.

A strong wind was blowing down the Stockton Lane pitch, Warrington had the advantage of the conditions. Hoylake kicked off, Warrington fielded the ball which was moved swiftly along the three-quarters taking the ball from inside their own half and centre Kyle Sherrett toucheing down for the opening try, JP Hudson converted. 7-0. (This opening score was timed at 28 seconds)

The second row partnership of Downes and Kellett were making their presence felt, an exchange of penalties first by Hoylake who made ground into the Warrington half but a knock-on halted their attack.
On 10 minutes a penalty to Warrington who used the wind to take play down into the Hoylake 22, from the lineout a break by No8 Fleming saw the ball out to Sherrett who burst through to score, Hudson converted. 14-0.

Hoylake came more into the game, after 20 minutes Warrington conceded a penalty well inside their own half which gave Hoylake an attacking platform with their forwards forcing the ball over the line for a try, 14-5.

Warrington’s attacking style of rugby caused the Hoylake defence all kinds of problems, on 25minutes after a fine break by Mcniff a penalty was awarded, a tap to Josh Downes saw him power over for a try under the sticks, Hudson converted. 21-5.

Five minutes later the flair of the Warrington backs saw Ryan Newton touchdown in the corner Hudson who had his kicking boots on converted from the touchline. 28-5 after 30minutes.

In the last 5minutes of the half, Sherrett and Rigby combined to send Luke Turner in for a try, conversion Hudson 35-5. Accumulation of penalties from Warrington saw them reduced to 14 with a yellow card.

The loss of a player made no difference to the Warrington scoring machine and next to score was Tom Mcniff wide out. 40-5.

HT 40-5

Hoylake opened the second half brightly and on 43minutes, using the wind, kicked down field, from the line out Warrington knock-on Hoylake from the scum pushed up and ball out on the short side result in a try in the corner. 40-10.

The remainder of the game belonged to Warrington with the occasional sortie from Hoylake indeed the next score came after harrying from scrum-half Oli Hudson at a Hoylake scrum loose ball gathered by Warrington who sweptthe ball up the field with John Craven scoring under the posts, Hudson converted. 47-10.

Breaks from forwards Morgan and Fleming with the latter giving Matt Bullock a score 52-10.
Hoylake had no answer to the Warrington attacking play, next on the score sheet was Harry Kellett from just inside the Hoylake half producing a powerful burst leaving opposition players floundering with their attempted tackles to score under the posts, Hudson converted 59-10.

Hoylake had a man sent to sinbin for a high tackle after which wonderful rugby from JP Hudson saw him cut through to score and convert. 66-10.

Direct from the restart ball out along the backs for Turner to score under the post, Hudson converted. 73-10.

Next on the score sheet was Newton after free flowing rugby from the backs, Hudson converted. 80-10.

Unfortunately for Hoylake a yellow card for the same player who had received an earlier one resulted in a red who were then reduced to 14 for the remainder of the game

The final try and play of the game resulted from a scrum on the Hoylake 22 which saw captain Danny Fleming pickup at the base produce a powerful burst carrying over a couple of would be tacklers to touchdown.

FT 85-10

To Holyoke’s credit they never gave up, but on the day the home sides attacking fair proved decisive. A fine display from Warrington with the backrow of Morgan, Evans and Fleming prominent, but the game did have a couple of ‘downs’ with injuries to Warrington players Mcniff (hamstring) who was the coach’s player of the match for his 4 try assists and try and Bennett (calf).

Report by Geoff Perks WRUFC