In a thrilling top-of-the-table clash, Warrington travelled to Burnage/Old Bedians in a match that delivered intensity, defensive grit, and moments of brilliance. Both teams came into this fixture having won in their opening two games, and the stakes were evident in every tackle and contest.

The first half belonged largely to Burnage/Old Bedians in terms of possession and territory, aided by a series of Warrington handling errors and excessive penalties given against them. Despite this, Warrington’s defence was heroic, Their organisation and determination shut down wave after wave of Burnage/Old Bedians’ attacks, refusing to buckle under relentless pressure.

Late in the first half, Warrington managed to secure meaningful possession and began to exert pressure of their own. Sustained attacking phases tested the visitors’ defence, and eventually, it cracked. Lawson Vella powered over the line to score the opening try, giving Warrington a narrow 5-0 lead at halftime after the conversion was missed.

The second half saw Warrington looking solid initially, but an intercepted pass in their own half shifted the momentum. Burnage/Old Bedians capitalized ruthlessly, racing away to score under the posts and adding the conversion to take the lead at 7-5.

Warrington’s attempts to regain control were continually stifled by the number of penalties given against them, and Burnage/Old Bedians made the most of their opportunities. A succession of penalties allowed them to drive deep into Warrington territory before eventually forcing their way over in the corner. Though the conversion was missed, the visitors extended their lead to 12-5.

Refusing to give up, Warrington responded immediately from the restart. A fast break and good support drew a penalty at the breakdown, and then a quick penalty tap allowed them to spread the ball wide, finding Seth Phillipson, who finished superbly in the corner. The conversion narrowly missed, leaving Warrington trailing by just two points at 12-10.

With time running out, Warrington surged forward again, led by the powerful running of Lawson Vella. However, lack of support at the breakdown allowed Burnage/Old Bedians to force a crucial turnover. Demonstrating excellent game management, the visitors retained possession for the remainder of the match, closing out a hard-fought 12-10 victory.

This encounter was a testament to the quality and spirit of both sides. Warrington’s defence and resilience were outstanding, while Burnage/Old Bedians showed composure and opportunism to secure the win. Both teams remain strong contenders in the Lancashire Cup, and this match will live long in the memory.

Warrington Man of the Match – Lawson Vella