Castleford (10) 16
Tries: Evans 2, Westerman Goals: Westerman 2

Warrington (10) 28
Tries: Grix, Riley, Briers, Myler 2 Goals: Briers, Bridge 3

Lee Briers' intercept try changed the complexion of the match

Warrington maintained their storming start to the new Super League season as they came from behind three times to beat Castleford at The Jungle.

Tries from Joe Westerman and James Evans earned Cas an early 10-0 lead.

But Simon Grix and Chris Riley both crossed for Tony Smith's side to level the scores at 10-10 by the interval.

A second Evans score and a Westerman penalty twice gave Cas the lead, but a try from Lee Briers and two from Richie Myler earned Warrington the win.

Scrum-half Myler's double took his try-scoring haul to three in two matches as Warrington moved to the top of the Super League.

The attritional contest swung in the visitor's favour when stand-off Lee Briers grounded an interception try on a wet night in west Yorkshire.

Evans claimed the evening's first try when he took a Brent Sherwin pass and cut inside to score after Ryan Hudson had created an opening from dummy-half.

Westerman converted, then followed up with another try, finishing off a smart move.

But, from Briers' delicate kick, when the ball bobbled just out of his reach, Grix dived in to score the try.

Briers added the conversion before going on the offensive again, lobbing a delicate kick to the corner for last weekend's five-try, record-breaking winger Riley to pounce.

606: DEBATE Warrington proved that they will be a force this year wire in the blood

A heavy half-time shower made handling conditions difficult, which full-back Richie Mathers discovered to his cost when he spilled a Sherwin kick, allowing Evans to capitalise.

And the game took a decisive turn when Briers intercepted Rangi Chase's pass to level the scores once more at 14-14.

And, although Westerman's penalty inched the Tigers two points in front again, they were unable to cling on as another handling error cost the hosts dearly.

Hudson lost the ball and Myler gathered to race in and score, putting the visitors in front for the first time to take an 18-16 lead.

Chris Bridge added two further points with only the third conversion of the evening, but minutes later Cas thought they had equalised through Hudson.

However, the video referee ruled a knock on in the build-up, thwarting their hopes of setting up an enthralling finish.

And a Bridge penalty gave Warrington further breathing space before victory was assured when Briers kept play alive after a drop-goal attempt went wrong and set up Myler for a converted try.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson:
"I think we gave them a bit too much all game.

"I thought our effort was good and there were big periods when we looked really good. In the first half we looked the stronger at some stage but we gifted them two tries from kicks.

"Then in the second half they scored from an intercept and a dropped ball and we just didn't create enough pressure."

Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith:
"We got our act together in the second half, we were pretty disappointed with our first half.

"We gave away four penalties in the first seven minutes of the game. That lets the opposition out of their half and takes a bit of out of your tank of petrol.

"We were pretty ordinary with the ball because of that but we grafted our way back in there and in the second half we were a lot better."

Castleford: McGoldrick, Owen, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Jackson, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Snitch, Westerman.
Replacements: Sargent, Jones, Higgins, Widders.

Warrington: Mathers, Riley, Bridge, Atkins, King, Briers, Myler, Morley, Monaghan, Carvell, L Anderson, Westwood, Harrison.
Replacements: Higham, Grix, Wood, V Anderson.

Ref: B Thaler (Wakefield)

Att: 7,569

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version