Round 8 Hemel Stags vs Warrington Wizards:
HEMEL STAGS 36 WARRINGTON WIZARDS 48 – Pennine Way
A try three minutes from time from Wizards’ winger Stuart Pirrie saw his side go joint top of the table as they finally overcame a hugely spirited Stags outfit that played all but two minutes with 12 men.
Caine Wynyard, who has been Hemel’s best in recent weeks, was sent off for a swinging arm before the match had warmed up after just two minutes and despite being in front only once, the home side came desperately close to taking a share of the points.
Within two minutes of the second rower’s dismissal, the visitors were ahead, a sweeping move from left to right – that was characteristic of most of the afternoon’s 15 tries – saw Matt Clarke go over out wide.
Outstanding Chris Mellor, who controlled and dictated play throughout, doubled the Wizard’s lead in the 12th minute, but Kane Phillips replied as the half hour approached, signalling the resolve of the hosts.
Barry John Swindells converted but two touchdowns in six minutes in the lead up to the interval from winger Carl Lloyd and Alan Reddicliff to make it 18-6 – to Warrington, Mellor landing only one goal - seemed to have established sufficient breathing space for the unbeaten Wizards.
After the break, a rejuvenated Hemel took control, hard working hooker Gareth Swindells showing great strength and presence to bludgeon his way over from close in and, five minutes later, Craig Bailey went 50 metres on an interception and with Barry John Swindells goaling both, the sides were suddenly level. Much to pleasure of the large crowd.
Second rower Bailey, almost playing the role of two men in back row partner Wynyard’s absence then tore over again in the 58th minute and the Stags were astonishingly in front.
Within four minutes, though, Warrington were level as Lloyd again finished an expansive move and as the Stags’ rearguard began to understandably wilt, Mellor found a gap for his second touchdown with 15 minutes to go.
Scott Davidson did likewise soon after and the result seemed assured but Andy Curtain had other ideas, showing great resilience to get his side back into it with a forceful burst.
Pirrie quelled any final heroics from the Stags but there was still time for the sides to swap late touchdowns, Stuart McIntyre bringing Hemel back to within eight points before Jono Smith completed the scoring with Wizard’s ninth try.
For Stags, Blake Kirby was at the heart of all their best attacks, in tandem with Kane Phillips and Bailey ran non-stop until the weight of numbers finally told.
Troy Perkins said after the game “That was a much better performance by us, we kept going with a man down and was unlucky not to come up with the win” he added “we are very close to being able to put a winning run together and if we continue to play like we did today that won’t be long coming”.
Tries: McIntyre, Phillips, G. Swindells, Bailey 2, Curtain
Goals: BJ. Swindells 6
Hemel Man of the Match: Craig Bailey
Hemels Payers Player Award: