Wibsey Warriors 28, Halifax Irish 6

Wibsey Warriors eased themselves off the foot of the Premier Division table with a solid Pennine League victory over fellow strugglers Halifax Irish.

The relief was tangible as the Warriors secured their first win of the season thanks to some hard work and sharp finishing.

They could have been on the board as early as the second minute but Nicholas Walker was penalised for a double movement.

Minutes later the hosts did break the deadlock when a lovely floated pass by Ryan Smith was collected by winger Jimmy Rodgers, who outpaced the defence to score.

When loose forward Harry Hall accepted a short ball from Steve Illingworth to crash over, Hall also converting to make it 10-0, it looked like the Warriors were in for an easy afternoon.

A string of penalties disrupted the flow of the game until Wibsey showed some real quality when Illingworth found Mark Darragh, who in turn was supported by the lively Smith and he dived over. Hall again converted to extend the lead to 16-0.

Smith’s try seemed to spark Halifax Irish into action and centre Hamish Barnes crossed in the corner on the half-hour mark, with Brad Attwood converting.

The Warriors started the second half as strongly as the first and a slick handling move was neatly finished by Daniel Conroy, with Hall adding the extras.

Then on 49 minutes the home side put the game well beyond the reach of Halifax with a power try from Hall.

Prop Shaun Godfrey took the ball up and bounced off the Irish number nine before finding Hall, who finished in style and then stepped up to make it 28-6.

Smith had a chance to get himself on the board when Illingworth put through a fine grubber kick but he was deceived by the bounce of the ball.

With the game entering the final stages, Irish began to show their frustration and tempers became frayed.

First Andrew Brocklehurst was sin-binned for punching, before Jake McCarthey was red-carded for disputing a decision along with some unnecessary dissent.

But nothing was going to spoil a much-deserved and welcome win for the Warriors, whose supporters went home in happy mood.