Reserves run into perfect storm
Warrington Wolves Reserves 66-16 Leigh Leopards Reserves
Victoria Park, Warrington; Saturday 20 April 2024 (11:30am)
Leopards Reserves ran into the perfect storm as the Wolves produced an error free opening half to lay the foundations for a resounding 13-try victory at Victoria Park.
The young and hungry Wolves ran in eight tries to set up a 40-0 interval lead with fullback Cai Taylor-Wray, centre Rodrick Tai, prop Max Wood and former Leigh winger Matty Russell especially impressive.
To the Leopards’ great credit they salvaged something out of the game with a much improved second half performance, scoring three tries and showing some good invention on attack with fullback Lewis Fairhurst again setting the standards with another fine display.
But the Wolves were able to add five more tries, their tally including some spectacular scores constructed from deep infield.
Leopards’ first season back in the Reserves structure was always going to be a case of ups and downs but Stu Littler’s side has plenty of character and spirit.
They enjoyed their best spell of the game early in the second half when tries by halfback Matt Horrocks and Nigeria international Michael Ogunwole, on dual registration from Barrow Raiders, both converted by Fairhurst reduced the arrears to 40-12.
Midway through the second period former Wolves Academy graduate Jack Darbyshire, one of only two first team squad players in the 17, showed great determination and power to force his way over following a scrum 20 metres out.
But Wolves showed the benefits of the kind of long established academy and reserves pathway that the Leopards aspire towards.
Several of the players on view will undoubtedly be pushing for places in Sam Burgess’s first team plans especially as the new Wolves coach has already shown a willingness to invest time and opportunity into young players.
Powerful PNG centre Tai got the Wolves on the way with a third minute try out wide before highly mobile prop Wood steamed under the posts. Tom Whitehead fought his way through two tackles to score his side’s third try and when Tai scythed over on the right the Wolves were scoring at a point a minute.
The hugely impressiveTaylor-Wray scored his first try from distance before hooker Lewis Barratt scooted over from short range. Russell, whose Super League pedigree shone through, set up a second for the supporting Taylor-Wray, who finished from 50 metres, before Bobby Shingler got on the end of a five-man passing move.
Wolves found the going harder in the second period, not least because of the Leopards’ tenacity and greater share of possession, and errors crept into their play.
But Jake Thewlis and Frank Sergent both scored tries out wide before Taylor-Wray’s brilliant run from deep set up the supporting Barratt for his second try.
Wolves brought a highly entertaining game, played in a great spirit, to a close with two final tries, Russell finally getting on the scoresheet after a trademark 50-metre finish before Nolan Tupaea crossed for a try his hard-working efforts deserved.
Wolves
1 Cai Taylor-Wray; 2 Frank Sergent, 3 Rodrick Tai, 4 Jake Thewlis, 5 Matty Russell; 6 Pat Irwin, 7 Adam Whalley; 8 Max Wood, 9 Lewis Barratt, 10 Lucas Green, 11 Stephen Antrobus, 12 Nolan Tupaea, 13 Tom Whitehead.
Bench: 14 Alfie Mather, 15 Peter Scott, 16 Bobby Shingler, 17 Jamie Reddecliff 18th player: Noah High.
Tries: Tai (3, 21), Wood (11), Whitehead (15), Taylor-Wray (21, 33), Barratt (27, 64), Shingler (37), Thewlis (50), Sergent (56), Russell (67), Tupaea (73)
Goals: Irwin 0/ 2, Whalley 7/ 11
Leopards
1 Lewis Fairhurst; 2 Alfie Whittle, 3 Finn McMillan, 4 Jack Darbyshire, 5 Liam Copland; 6 Ben Tyrer, 7 Matt Horrocks; 8 Sam Bardsley, 9 Matty Rudd, 10 Lewis Baxter, 11 Callum Disley, 12 Bailey Pemberton, 13 Luke Sutcliffe.
Bench: 14 TJ Boyd; 18 Ryan Lockett, 20 Ralph Wood, 17 Michael Ogunwole. 18th player: Reece Stanton
Tries: Horrocks (41), Ogunwole (46), Darbyshire (61)
Goals: Fairhurst 2/ 3
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 8-0, 14-0, 20-0, 24-0, 28-0, 34-0, 40-0 (ht) 40-6, 40-12, 44-12, 48-12, 48-16, 54-16, 60-16, 66-16
Referee: Alan Billington; Touch-judges: L Breheny & A Woods; Penalty count: 4-5; Attendance: 200
