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Wolfpack puts up a fight against Warrington but fall to 0-4

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The signs of being a really good team in the Betfred Super League are continuing to come out for the Toronto Wolfpack.

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The team now plays with a bit more confidence and on Friday, showed an ability to climb from a big early deficit. But, again, it was unable to close in a 32-22 loss to the Warrington Wolves.

Toronto (0-4) continues to play the entertaining style it showed when climbing up the ladder to the top rung in English rugby league but still needs to clean up critical errors if it is to start winning games and avoid immediate relegation.

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Warrington took advantage of Wolfpack mistakes early, getting possession after a Ricky Leutele knock-on and converting with a try from Josh Charnley.

On the ensuing set, Gareth Widdop scored to put the home side up 10-0. Tom Lineham then scored to increase the lead after Toronto’s Bodene Thompson was just denied of a try at the other end.

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Toronto’s effort did pay off after that. Matty Ashton did add another for the Wolves, but a score from Jon Wilkin and an interception and try by Andy Ackers kept Toronto within shouting range at the break down 22-12.

The Wolfpack cut into the lead again on a score from Matty Russell then a big run through the Wolves defence from Josh McCrone sent Gareth O’Brien free for the score which tied the game at 22.

However, that was it for the Wolfpack as Stefan Ratchford kicked two penalties and, in the dying minutes after Liam Kay was denied a tying score, Ben Murdoch-Masila went in to send the crowd at Halliwell Jones Stadium home relieved.

The Wolfpack return to the same venue next Saturday for a neutral-site contest against defending champion St. Helen’s.

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PACK MOVEMENT

Tony Gigot is with the club on a four-week ‘trialist’ contract. The French international won’t be paid and won’t count against the team’s salary cap. Greg Worthington, on loan to the Featherstone Rovers of the Championship, returned to the Wolfpack for the game. James Cunningham (hamstring) learned he will be out six months. Darcy Lussick (hernia) is expected to be back within a month. Gadwin Springer (concussion) and Joe Mellor (hand) should be back next week. The team is also hoping Chase Stanley (visa issues) will be back in the lineup against St. Helen’s.

NOBLE LEAVES

Brian Noble has resigned from his post as the Wolfpack’s director of rugby. Noble had been contemplating this decision for a while and the amicable parting allows for the former Great Britain coach to seek new opportunities.

“Brian has been an invaluable resource and asset to our organization right from the beginning,” Wolfpack chairman Bob Hunter said in a statement. “Our promotion into Super League wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

REVENGE GAME

The Toronto Arrows denied the Houston SaberCats a try in the dying seconds to secure a 27-22 win last weekend to improve to 2-0 on their Major League Rugby season. They’ll travel to Seattle to face the Seawolves on Saturday. Seattle eliminated Toronto in the league’s semifinal last year.

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