Morley underwent intensive treatment for a stomach injury

Warrington coach James Lowes defended his side after their season came to a shuddering halt with a 46-8 defeat to play-offs rivals Catalans Dragons.

The Dragons ran in nine tries against a patched-up and outclassed Wolves outfit to clinch a home tie against Wigan.

"We had a few with bumps and bruises but they all put their hands up to play," said a defiant Lowes.

"We'll fully analyse everything next week but I'm very proud of the boys for their effort. We had a real go."

Lowes singled out captain Adrian Morley for particular praise.

The England prop had been on an intravenous drip and spent time in a hyperbaric chamber in the build-up to Saturday's match to combat a stomach muscle injury and lead his side in the play-offs.

"He has gone through a lot to pull a shirt on tonight," said Lowes. "You talk about the Man of Steel award, well the way he put his body on the line was fantastic."

Australian winger Justin Murphy, who is out of contract at the end of the season, scored four tries for the Dragons, while scrum-half Thomas Bosc contributed 14 points on his return from injury.

"It's up there with some of our best performances of the season," said coach Mick Potter.

The crowd like to see good rugby and we managed to provide some for them Dragons coach Mick Potter

"Our guys were determined and they executed well in the second half. The crowd like to see good rugby and we managed to provide some for them."

Murphy was only recalled to the side after Potter dropped hooker Aaron Gorrell, creating a vacancy on the club's eight-strong overseas quota, and he responded in style.

"It was a selection dilemma but, fortunately for us, Justin scored four tries," said Potter, who will leave Catalans at the end of the season to take charge of St Helens.

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