March 2002
29th March 2002.Abysmal finishing and poor defence cost Warrington a win after going into the lead 3 times ,Warrington let Salford in at the death,Briers was outstanding for Warrington with good support play from Fozzard,Wire had the try line begging on 3 occasions only to mess up when it would have been easier to score ,it was however Bobby Goulding who earns the plaudits for a display at times bordering on the brilliant who secured the points for Salford.Wire will have to buck up on defence and cut out the silly errors if they wish to reach the top five this term.
SALFORD 31...... ........................................................................................................................ WARRINGTON 18
Tries: Gibson Treacey ....Shaw Pinkney ..Arnold Crouthers ........ .......................................Tries ;Domic .Hilton Crouthers
Goals:Goulding (5).Drops; Goulding...........................................................................................Goals; Briers (3)
H/T: 12-12 ....................ATT: 5,478
28th March 2002.
Warrington performance director was scathing about the present standard of refereeing following a series of decisions made by Steve Ganson during the Leeds game,all I want is a fair crack I am not saying we would have beaten Leeds but a fair chance would have helped.After the recent Bradford game the match commissioner sat through the match tape with me and out of six penalties could only justify one.
Warrington should be looking for at least 4 points from six over the Easter weekend if they do not wish to get embroiled in a relegation dogfight at the end of the season,Good Friday at Salford K.O. 3.05pm should bring two points but Warrington have slipped up a few times against a constantly underperforming Salford,old boys who have something to prove are Allen Hunte top try scorer at Warrington in his last two seasons will be hoping to show Wire performance director Steve Anderson that he was wrong to let him go .Widnes who are visiting Warrington for the first time in eight years will be hoping to keep up a strong start to the season which has only produced one win but good shows against Bradford and St Helens make them a force to beware of,and another Wire old boy Steve McCurrie will be hoping to show that he can still mix it with the best after being let go by Warrington.A record Rugby Super league crowd is expected for the game with Widnes seeling half their allocation of tickets in ther first two days of the week ,whilst Warrington have only 1,200 tickets left.Another Wire Widnes connection is on show for the first time with Widnes coach Neil Kelly who it was thought would take over at Warrington after Van Der Velde left but decided to stay at Widnes ,Wire then approached Anderson with the job offer.Monday's game kicks off at 3pm.The following Sunday see the Wire take on Wakefield Trinity with former Warrington player Ian Knotte turning out for the Wildcats Kick Off at Wakefield is at 3.30pm.
Paul Noone misses out on playing against his home town Widnes on Monday as he has been loaned to Warrington's partner team Chorley Lynx for a second one Month spell which starts this week.Penny Dropped it is reported that Lee has been dropped from the squad after failing to impress against Leeds,Guisset is expected to return plus Leon Felton who has recovered from shoulder trouble and Gary Hulse is hoping to make his first appearance of the year against his home town club Widnes.
Any Touchdown club member can claim a free pie when they purchase a pint of beer between the hours of 1pm and 2pm at the club.Wiganers barred.
Sid Domic is convinced that the Wire will qualify for the playoffs and he cites the first 56 minutes against Leeds that the Wire are capable of doing something this year,we were well in the game but let ourselves down with stupid mistakes .David Kidwell is expected back at training today Thursday after coming back from a two week leave of absence due to family problems.
Two Wire fixtures have had their dates changed the home clash with London Broncos has been switched to April 30th kick off 7.35 and will be live on Sky,whilst the away game vs Leeds Rhinos has been brought forward to Thursday July 4th kick off 8pm.
Crosfield A.R.L.F.C. gain promotion to National Conference League Division One for the first time ever with an excellent performance against their closest rivals Milford Marlins. Crosfields 32 Milford 12.
Warrington Wolves celebrate their third Sportsmatch Award in 3 years ,Sportsmatch is a Government initiative which matches sponsorship money pound for pound for specific grass roots projects in sport.
23rd March 2002.WARRINGTON 28-50 LEEDS .Leeds were made to fight for their win as the lead changed hands four times in a fiercely fought match The teams exchanged early tries and Ben Walker and Leeds' Ryan Sheridan then went over for quick tries as neither side could shake off the other. Warrington went back ahead after the break before Leeds finally took the game by the scruff of the neck late on Willie Poching sealed victory when he followed up a rebounding drop attempt.a fiercely fought match.
Warrington Tries: Smyth,Alstead,Briers (2),Domic,Goals Briers (40). Leeds Tries Burrow ,Hay ,Cummins,Poaching ,Senior(2),Sheridan,St Hilaire(2),Goals Walker(7)
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21st March 2002
The Wire are planning a more expansive game against Leeds on Friday four of the Wires players are expected to recover from injuries they are Clarke Burns Guisset and Laughton,said Anderson if all four are fit it will be a huge boost for us,although the players may be fit they will not neccessarily walk straight back in to the team as there is a lot of competition for places.
Warrington's community development officer Jane Banks is in line to be part of the Great Britain and Ireland women's squad to tour Australia. The GB Lionesses will play a three-game series against the Jillaroos as well a four provincial games.
Warrington's position as a leader in their community work programmes will be further enhanced when they receive the title of Best Community Club in the Rugby Super League at half time in their game with Leeds Rhinos this Friday KO 8.00 Wilderspool.The presentation will be made by Ivan Lewis MP the Minister for Ypung people and learning,it is the 2nd year in succession that the Wire have won the award in partnership with Manweb.Wolves will also announce a new education programme called Wolves Ed sponsored by local engineering company JLJ Holdings,the system will promote the accreditation of coaches and career paths for newly qualified and experienced coaches by ensuring that coach education courses are available for all.
Warrington have joined with drinks giant Coca Cola in a 3 year partnership to help their community programme ,the company will take over the name of the Miller 7's competition ,which acts as curtain raiser for the Wire's home games,they will also be involved with the Wolves Holiday Camps.It amazes me how much is being done by the Wires that never gets any media attention.
Warrington supporters met with the Minister for Sport this week to lobby the Minister to extend funding for supporters groups through Supporters Direct so sports other than football can be included .Treasurer or the Wolves' supporters club Richard Shanks said"The meeting was very positive and Richard Caborn has indicated that he is in discussion to move things forward over the next couple of weeks over extending the level of central government funding into sport in general not just rugby league but ice hockey and basketball as well.In attendance were Lord Hoyle , Helen Jones MP ,Neil Ashurst , Richard Caborn, Richard Shanks, Helen Southworth MP Andy Topham and Neil Dowson wolves finance director.
Warrington MP Helen Jones has signed a House of Commons motion welcoming a petition signed by more than 30,000 rugby league fans,the petition asks for a fair and construction reporting in the media instead of the constant sniping at a sport that is loved by thousands.
Academy player Nick Owen signed for Appleton Thorn county primary school the idea is to help the children their with social and academic skills,the shool will follow his career and Nick will drop in to help with reading and computer work.
10th March 2002.Bradford Bulls 38 Warrington 30: Bulls tries;Gartner Withers Vaikona Costin Anderson McAvoy Gilmour Goals;Deacon 5 : Warrington tries; Wood Gleason Goals;Briers 2. Attendance 13,386
5th March 2002. Paul Wood suffered knee ligament damage against Halifax and will be out for "several weeks". Steve Maden injured an ankle in the same game at the weekend and is likely to miss the Bradford Super League game.
3rd March 2002. After going 0-16 down for half time Warrington started a remarkable fight back to run out winners by 30-22.Warrington tries ; Rodwell (2) Smyth Cardoza Kidwell Goals;Smyth (1) Briers (4). Halifax tries Bloem Cardiss (2) Jim Gannon .Goals Hammond 3. Attendance 7,485
Matthew Rodwell scored two tries as theWolves came back from the dead, coming back from 16 points behind at half time to shock the Blue Sox. Halifax looked to have recovered when Daryl Cardiss went over for his second try and Karle Hammond made it 22-12 but then Rodwell went over for his second try and the goal made the gap four points.Dale Cardoza's spectacular run put them in front,Jamie Bloum declined a penalty kick in front of the sticks which would have brought the game to 22-22 then a last minute interception by David Kidwell made sure made sure of a Wire win.