WARRINGTON Wolves’ snatched another dramatic victory as they came from behind to win 20-30 against Catalans Dragons in the South of France.
It wasn’ty quite as last gasp as their recent win at Salford but the Wolves scored two tries in the last five minutes after trailing for much of the game to keep their 100 per cent record intact with a fifth consecutive victory.
Trailing 20-18 going into the last five minutes young forward George King showed great strength to force the ball down under pressure fpr his first ever Super League try, with Kurt Gidley slotting over a superb conversion from out wide to make it 20-24. Then in the last minute with Chris Sandow pounced on a loose ball and kicked ahead to score, with Gidley again on target to ensure the traveling Wolves’ fans had a night to remember.
The home side started brightly and opened the scoring on nine minutes through Carney with Richards adding the extras.
But Warrington hit back within two minutes through Rhys Evans with Gidley banging over the extras to level the scores.
Four consecutive penalties gave Warrington sustained pressure but they couldn’t find a way through the tough tackling home defence.
On 21 minutes Kev Penny had a great chance when he intercepted but he undid his good work when he lost the ball in the tackle.
From the resulting set Catalans extended their lead as Pat Richards scored out wide and then landed a superby touchline conversion to make it 12-6 after 23 minutes. The two minutes later he slotted over a penalty to make it 14-6.
On 30 minutes Warrington hit back thanks to a great charge down from Stefan Ratchford who then won the race to the ball setting up a move which saw Sandow slip out a pass to Ben Currie to score. Gidley was again on target to make it 14-12.
On 36 minutes Chris Hill was placed on report for body checking former team mate Richie Myler and then Mitchell Doods, who had only just entered the fray was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.
Things went from bad to worse for Warrington at the start of the second half as a Sandow lost the ball under pressure allowing Carney to send Duport over in the corner, with Richards again on target from out wide to make it 20-12.
But the home side failed to convert further pressure into points and Rhus Evans gave the Wolves lifeline on the hour after good work by Matty Russell and Jack Hughes. Gidley added the extras to make it 20-18.
The home side pushed to extend their lead and on 65 minutes Gidley made a try-saving tackle on Willie Mason.
Two minutes later Penny went close to scoring in the corner but was just forced out of play.
Warrington’s persistence eventually paid off five minutes from time when more good work by Russell enabled George King to force his way over the line, with the try being awarded by the video referee. Gidley kept his cool to add the extras to make it 20-24, with Sandow adding the icing on the cake in the last minute to ensure Warrington retained their unbeaten start to the season.
PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Rhys Evans scores PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Chris Hill leads by example PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Matty Russell looks for a gap PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Sad departure for the unlucky Mitch Dodds PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
So near for Kevin Penny PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Richie Myler now in the Dragon’s den! PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
George King powers to the line PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
George King twists in the tackle PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
George King scores his first Super League try PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Chris Sandow rubs salt in the wounds with the final try in the last minute PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
1 Comment
Wolves showed great character and determination to pull off a big win. Not many travel to the South of France and return victorious against a big French outfit.