Vainikolo try frustrates superb Warrington effort
Warrington Wolves 22 Bradford Bulls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sides do not normally complain about sharing the points with the World Champions, but Warrington were left frustrated last night by only drawing a match they dominated for long periods.
Sides do not normally complain about sharing the points with the World Champions, but Warrington were left frustrated last night by only drawing a match they dominated for long periods.
With Lee Briers' tactical kicking in fine fettle, Warrington applied pressure throughout the first half, even though they had fallen behind when Aaron Smith scored after less than two minutes. Tries for Briers, Richard Varkulis and Brent Grose gave the Wolves an eight-point lead that rather understated their superiority. A second try from Grose put them in a potential winning position soon after the break, but they had not quite broken Bradford's resistance.
Michael Withers levelled the scores with two tries, converted by Paul Deacon. Warrington edged ahead again through Dean Gaskell but a penalty conceded by Danny Lima allowed Bradford to attack as time was running out and Leslie Vainikolo forced his way over. Deacon had the conversion to win the match, but that and Withers' drop goal attempt both drifted wide. For the Wolves to be left with nothing would have been a monumental injustice.
Even Bradford's Brian Noble admitted that winning the game would have amounted to robbery: "But we showed plenty of character," he said.
The Warrington coach Paul Cullen, insisted that: "The positive for us is that a 22-22 draw with Bradford is not good enough." That is the mark of a club setting its sights high.
Warrington Wolves: Hulse; Varkulis, Grose, Westwood, Gaskell; Briers, Wood; Lima, Clarke, Hilton, Noone, Wainwright, Forshaw. Substitutes: Gleeson, Guisset, Stevens, Burns.
Bradford Bulls: Withers; Reardon, Johnson, Hape, Vainikolo; Pryce, Deacon; Vagana, Smith, Fielden, Radford, Peacock, Swann. Substitutes: Bridge, Langley, Parker, Moore.
Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments