Warrington :: 3
Swinton :: 3
date: 3rd September 1898
The opening match of the season in Warrington was witnessed by a crowd numbering over seven thousand. The visit of Swinton is always a rare attraction, and Mr Warren was lucky in arranging the fixture for the opening of the 1898/99 season.
Matches with Swinton have extended over many years, and is unique coincidence that in no particular instance can the famous team point to a victory on Warrington soil. The home team turned out as selected, the new faces being Holcroft as three-quarter, and Boardman as forward, both players hailing from that smart organisation Latchford Rovers. Swinton were without Rees, the newly imported Welsh international, and it eventually turned out that this player had mysteriously disappeared from the colliery village the night previous.
Taylor commenced operations for Warrington with a powerful sun in his eyes, and the opening phase of the game saw play waged between the quarter flag. The first real progressive movement was made by the Brothers Bate, and Goodman was fully occupied in defending. Faulty fielding gave Swinton an opportunity to invade, and for a period the Warrington goal was hotly assailed. Badger, Valentine, and Bevan, each made vigorous efforts to break through, whilst from poor clearance the ball was placed for Badger, who made a miserably essay for goal. A rare run by the younger Bate saw Badger intercept a pass, and Holcroft tackled the Welshman in fine style. A fine effort by Boardman, Taylor, Dakin, and Mason, forced Swinton beyond the halfway, and the home captain passing to Holcroft, that player punted across to his forwards, and the movement being taken up, grand passing along the line saw R.Bate score cleverly amidst deafening cheers. Holcroft made a fine effort to land the extra points. Badger tried hard to put his side in a good position, and partially succeeded.
The attack was only temporary for the Warrington forwards continued to exhibit rare dash, and Swinton were compelled to fall back. Valentine fed Badger, and a speedy sprint was stopped by an accurate tackle by Boscow. Another raid on the Warrington goal was successfully dealt with, and after Isherwood and Moores had indulged in a passing run, Valentine responded for the visitors, and serving Bevan that player got clear and placed the side on equal terms, the score at half time being a try each.
The second half saw Warrington early aggressive, and Naylor had hard luck in their first few minutes, a fine effort resulting in his losing possession on the line. Give and take play followed, and the players began to feel the effects of the heat and pace slackening considerably as the game progressed. Stoppages were frequent, but eventually Badger got his side out of a difficult position.
A return to the attack saw a spell of exchange kicking and Goodman almost let his side down by a hesitation to save in the goal mouth. Holcroft almost scored at the corner after a neat dribble, but after this Swinton got into Warrington quarters, and the home backs had a warm time of defending. Boscow kicked judiciously. Whilst the tackling of Bates, Hallam, Isherwood and Moores prevented the vigorous Swintonians from crossing. The home forwards again got going, and a fine effort by Mason lacked support. Bevan spoiled Taylor just on the call of time. At which period the score read a try each (three points).
Warrington : Boscow; Moores, Isherwood, Hallam, Holcroft, R.Bate, J.Bate, Taylor, Dakin, Mason, Naylor, Fairhurst, Boardman, Barrett, Eden
Subs:
Tries:
Goals:
Swinton :
Subs:
Tries:
Goals:
Referee:
Attendance: 7000
