Warrington Wolves ... 19
vs
Castleford Tigers ... 14
|
Warrington Wolves ... 19 |
vs |
Castleford Tigers ... 14 |
|
Attendance: 4,738
Referee: Steve Ganson
Half Time: 9 - 6
Penalty Count: 3 - 6
Wolves |
Tigers |
|
3. Jon Roper 2. Jason Roach 4. Toa Kohe-Love 17. Alan Hunte 5. Mark Forster 6. Scott Wilson 7. Lee Briers 8. Mark Hilton 9. Danny Farrar(C) 10. Danny Nutley 11. Simon Gillies 13. Ian Knott 23. Mike Wainwright Subs: 12. Steve McCurrie 15. Dean Hangar 16. Gary Chambers 21. Chris Causey Tries: Kohe-Love (27, 56 mins) Knott (34 mins) Briers (60 mins) Goals: Briers Drop Goals: Briers |
1. Jason Folwers 2. Richard Gay 3. Michael Eager 13. Adrian Vowles (C) 16. Darren Rogers 6. Danny Orr 7. Brad Davis 10. Dean Sampson 9. Aaron Raper 14. Nathan Sykes 12. Dale Fritz 18. Ian Tonks 11. Lee Harland Subs: 5. Jon Wells 8. James Pickering 17. Gael Tallec 21. Andy Lynch Tries: Gay (31 mins) Eager (44 mins) Davis (78 mins) Goals: Orr |
I don't know about you but I thought spring was just around the corner. The weather all week has been lovely and mild, sunshine like we used to have in the olden days, perfect weather for Rugby. As always come the weekend and the heavens opened. Still, with opponents like Castleford, you need every advantage that you can take.
The only change to the starting line up was that of Roper in for Penny, who is suffering from a fractured thumb and was replaced last week. One of the positions that the Wolves are under strength is in the full back role. The injured Chris Rudd could have stepped in but other than that we were struggling for anyone with experience. Roper, who now seems to be the clubs utility player, took up the role like the proffesional he is.
The opening minutes paved the way for the first half hours play with both teams matching one another, neither wanting to give, nor looking like taking, the upper hand. Sometimes in games such as these the attention wonders as the play is at stalemate, but in this clash with both teams looking fairly even you couldn't look away for a second.
The egg was finally broken by the Wolves with Kohe-Love, looking more impressive with every match, taking a pass from dummy half on the short side to jink and crash over near the corner. Briers missed the difficult kick with the wind playing with the ball in flight (4 - 0).
Once the first try was scored the flood gates seem to have been opened. With the Wolves at full stretch and Roper not looking too comfortable defending the line at fullback the Tigers put on a great handling move to out pace the home side. From the play fo the ball thball was quickly swung out wide with Brad Davis and Adrian Vowles finding Richard Gay, the winger squeezing in at the corner. Danny Orr, who was carried off with knee ligament damage minutes later converted, the Tigers were in the lead (4 - 6).
Hitting straight back in an almost identical move to the first try Scott Wilson fed Ian Knott, who came into the line and drifted through the Tigers over-sliding defence for another try in the corner. Briers kick again missed the blustery target but the Wolves had clawed back the lead (8 - 6).
Possession was something sorely lacking from last weeks performance but the dying minutes of the first half had the Wolves huffing and puffing at the Tigers doors. Briers bott was sure this time as he popped over a neat drop goal to add to the half-time lead (9 - 6).
An interesting point was raised on the stroke of half time. With the ball deep in Castleford territory the hooter sounded, but the ball was played before it could finish. A good handling move saw the Wilson cross the try line but for referee Ganson to call play back for the half-time break. Surely the ball is still in play until the hooter finishes?
The Tigers roared back into the second half early on with former Wolf Michael Eager, looking like an extra from Casualty with a heavily bandaged head, finishing a comedy of errors for the Wolves. A cross field kick from Raper was incredibly left to bounce by the Wolves defence, obviously missing the ever steady Penny. The kick was collected by winger Wells who managed to slip the ball out of a good tackle by Roach to the waiting Eager. The centre wriggled and spun his way over the line to take his try with glee. Without Orr to kick the Tigers were lost for a conversion as Davis' kick found only Lee Briers to the side of the post (9 - 10).
The pressure was back on the Wolves and they weren't to disappoint. Briers, who had been having a good game with some telling passes, ran cross field and put a flat ball to Kohe-Love who again showed his worth by slipping two tacklers to touchdown. Briers just didn't seem to have his kicking boots with him as the conversion went wide (13 - 10).
The Wolves had a decent spell of pressure on the Tigers line and it eventually paid off. The Wolves home field advantage and possession finally told as Briers again drifted across the line looking for runners, none were needed as massive gap under the posts opened up the half back. Gazelle like Briers leaped over the planted the ball for the final Wolves try and the Gamebreaker. Finally, with a decent kicking position, Briers stroked over the conversion putting the game beyond Castleford (19 - 10).
The game turned a little nasty as both sides began niggling tackles, with Dean Sampson being the main Castleford protagonist. The big man leaving the field injured four minutes from time with a leg injury after a Tigers attack broke down.
What would have surely been one of the best tries to be scored at Wilderspool (dare I say ever?) was just missed when the Wolves pressured the Tigers line. Briers found space and spotted Kohe-Love racing for the line, his kick sailed perfectly over the try line, Kohe-Love dove full stretch but couldn't quite collect the ball for what would have been a brilliant try. All the Wolves confidence and skilles were on show.
Never giving up, with the kind of spirit needed for the their next game in the Challenge Cup semi-final against London, the Yorkshire side grabbed a final try two minutes from time. Brad Davis shimmied and scythed his way through a tired Warrington defence to set up a nail biting last few minutes.
All in all a good performance against a form team. Penny was obviously missed with Roper not being used to the specialist role of fullback. With two wins from two games and the Wolves currently sitting fifth the omens bode well with this being the Wolves best start since Super League I. The next game against Salford will be telling as Andy Gregory may or may not be there to see his rebuilt side take on the Wolves. The following match against an impressive looking Gateshead side will be tough, though the Thunder are currently suffering a small injury crisis. All to play for in the coming rounds.
Quotes:
'Toa Kohe-Love is on fire, and you can't coach that sort of form.' - Darryl Van de Velde on Man of the Match Toa Kohe-Love.
'Danny took a high shot just before he was injured, and Warrington's plans seemed to be to take him out. He's our key player, and I will be taking up the matter with referees' controller Greg McCallum.' - Castleford coach Staurt Raper on the Wolves alleged tactics.