Paul Wood Testimonial

4600 Pay Tribute To Paul Wood

Written by admin on January 28, 2010 – 1:24 am -

Warrington Wolves 12 Wigan Warriors 20

Attendance: 4622

More than 4,600 fans paid tribute to 10 years’ loyal service to Warrington Wolves by Paul Wood at The Halliwell Jones last night. They were rewarded with a typically hard fought derby tussle between two near-full strength sides who are tipped for honours in the coming season.

Captain for the night Paul was, appropriately, named man of the match thanks to two solid stints in midfield.

There were stirring performances all round but especially from Ben Westwood up front, Matt King out on the left and Richie Mathers who was as safe as houses at full back

Both teams were understandably a little rusty while the raw evening didn’t help ball handling and it was Wigan’s greater fluency that enabled them to run out winners 20-12.

Warrington gave Chris Riley, Chris Bridge and Vinnie Anderson their first outings since last season but were without Chris Hicks and Jon Clarke, both recovering from surgery.

Wigan gave Paul Deacon his debut following his surprise capture from Bradford but lacked the services of Michael McIlorum and Phil Bailey.

Within three minutes of the start Wigan fumbled a kick through by Lee Briers and then conceded a penalty.

From the restart Adrian Morley crashed over near the posts and Briers added the goal points.

Sterling work in defence by Wolves was almost turned into another certain score. Michael Monaghan just couldn’t hold on to the ball after making a great interception and finding an open field in front of him.

Wigan hit back and their persistence paid off when former Wolves star Martin Gleeson capitalised on referee Thierry Alibert’s award of six more tackles close to the Warrington line, touching down in the corner. Pat Richards surprisingly missed the conversion.

Some high speed passing by the visitors then earned reward as Amos Roberts also squeezed in at the same corner. Again, Richards failed with the kick.

The visitors were forced back over their own line three times in the next five minutes and a great run by Louis Anderson just failed to yield some points.

Turning round 8-6 ahead, Wigan introduced the irrepressible Deacon who soon illustrated what a fine buy he will be. Using soccer skills he soon put Warrington under real pressure but Riley saved the day also with the help of the boot.

Wigan then pulled further ahead when O’Loughlin, now one of five team captains for the visitors, sent Lee Mossop over. Roberts took over the kicking and put the visitors ahead 14-6.

Warrington came back into the game on 68 minutes when Chris Bridge slipped a lovely pass to Chris Riley who touched down in the corner. Briers added another goal from the touchline and there were just two points in it.

The decider came when Harrison Hansen crossed unopposed five minutes from time with Richards at last also getting on the score sheet.

Warrington: Richie Mathers, Chris Riley, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Matt King, Lee Briers, Richie Myler, Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Substitutes: Garreth Carvelll (for Wood 24), Mickey Higham (for Monaghan 28), David Solomona (for Morley 29), Vinnie Anderson (for Westwood 30), Simon Grix (for Harrison 33), Lee Mitchell (not used).

Wigan: Cameron Phelps, Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Eamon O’Carrroll, Harrison Hansen, Joel Tomkins, Sean O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Iafeta Paleaasina (for O’Carroll 10), Paul Prescott (for Fielden 24), Lee Mossop (for Hansen 32), Paul Deacon (for Riddell 41), Darrell Goulding (for Richards 50), Karl Pryce (for Carmont 50), Stuart Howarth (not used).

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