IN THE FIRST RUN OUT OF THE SEASON, THERE WAS AGUARD OF HONOUR TO WELCOME CHRIS HILL TO THE FIELDTO CELEBRATE HIS TESTIMONIAL YEAR AT THE WIRE.There were also debuts for new front men Robbie Mulhern and Rob Butler.Wire opened the scoring just four minutes in, Widdop found space on the left edge to stretch his legs andshifted it over to King through the hands of Currie to go over in the corner. Ratchford slotted over his firstkick of the evening.Their second score came after eight minutes, this time Blake Austin’s cross-field kick was claimed high byCharnley to score in the corner. Ratchford’s conversion pulled just wide of the posts.Lineham then made three tries in the opening quarter of an hour after GarethWiddop’s clever looping cut out pass found the winger free to go over in thecorner. Ratchford added the extras.The Centurions hit back half way through the first after Gerrard crashedover from close range under the posts. Ellis slotted over the kick.Warrington’s reply came seven minutes later, the ball was shifted out tothe left flank and King’s clever dummy sold the on coming Leighdefence for Lineham to then bundle his way over in the corner.Ratchford was unsuccessful with the conversion.A fifth for the Wire came after half an hour, a short ball fromDanny Walker allowed Hill to go over between the up rightsfor a moment to savour on his testimonial day. Ratchfordthen added the two.Warrington started the second half much like they did thefirst and notched up their sixth try four minutes after therestart. After Widdop was held up miraculously by Wireloanee Keanan Brand, Ratchford’s cross field kick wasspilled and picked up by Thewlis to score with ease.Ratchford was wide with the two.Leigh’s reply came after 51 minutes, Thomas Spencerbroke well for the visitors allowing Brierley to cross nextto the posts. Ellis kicked the extras.Lineham then sealed his hat-trick after 63 minutes.A loose final pass bounced kindly for Lineham whostretched over in the corner. Widdop couldn’t convertthe kick.WARRINGTON 34 (26)Tries: King, Charnley, Lineham (3), Hill, Thewlis Goals: Ratchford (3)Ratchford, Charnley, Wrench, King, Lineham, Austin, Widdop, Hill, Walker, Mulhern, Robson, Currie, PhilbinInterchanges: Ashton, D.Clark, J.Clark, Mamo, Thewlis, Butler, Doro
LEIGH 12 (6)Tries: Gerrard, Brierley Goals: Ellis (2)Brierley, Roebuck, Brand, Thornley, Tierney, Mellor, Ellis, Mason, Hood, Ioane, Foster, Hellewell, ThompsonInterchanges: Wildie, Gerrard, Peteru, Wallace, Eaves, Sidlow, Spencer