Warrington Wolves Reserves have confirmed a top-four play-off berth after a convincing 42-22 victory against Leeds Rhinos Reserves at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Dominant opening period sets the tone
The Wire were dominant early on, taking a 24-6 lead into half-time and extending that advantage to 36-6 before Leeds rallied in the closing stages. Ewan Smith and Charlie McKler each scored two tries, with further touchdowns from Jack Fallon, Jake Thewlis, Daniel Regan and Pat Irwin contributing to the winning score.
"Prior to kick-off, we spoke about starting well and imposing our physicality on the game, and I think we did that - for the first 15 minutes we completed at 100 per cent and didn’t concede any penalties," said reserves head coach Ryan O’Brien. "The second half was a bit more scrappy. We still scored some nice tries, but at certain points our defence fell way short of the standard we expect."
How the match unfolded
- Leeds opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Wade White after a kick ricocheted off the post protector.
- Warrington responded quickly; Fallon touched down following a concerted team effort involving Ben Hartill, Regan and Charlie Walker.
- McKler and Smith produced powerful runs and finishes that helped build the substantial first-half lead.
- A late Leeds comeback produced two tries but proved insufficient to overturn the deficit.
Players and points at a glance
| Try scorers | Notable contributions |
|---|---|
| Ewan Smith (2), Charlie McKler (2), Jack Fallon, Jake Thewlis, Daniel Regan, Pat Irwin | Strong carries, breaks from Walker and Hartill, defensive workrate |
The result keeps Warrington second in the reserve league standings and secures their place in the end-of-season top-four play-offs. O’Brien highlighted the improvements in "clarity and connection" exhibited over recent matches but warned there remain areas to address as the team approaches the concluding fixtures of the campaign.
Local impact and what to watch next
For supporters in Warrington, the reserves' progress underlines the strength of the club's development pathway and offers promising signs for the senior squad, which can draw on a cohort of in-form youngsters. The coaching staff will be keen to tidy defensive lapses before the play-offs, where margins are tighter and mistakes more costly.
Fixture details and ticket information for upcoming play-off matches will be confirmed by the club; local fans should check the official Warrington Wolves channels for updates and travel arrangements.
