WARRINGTON Wolves kept up the pressure on Challenge Cup final opponents Hull with a dramatic late victory over Castleford.
A week before the top two clash at Wembley, it took a 79th minute Jack Hughes try for the Wolves to pinch a 14-11 win over the Tigers to stay a point behind the Airlie Birds.
Playing on a Saturday afternoon to give adequate preparation time for next week’s trip to London, the Wolves were watched by BBC presenter and hometown boy Chris Evans.
Warrington started strongly, with Stefan Ratchford forcing an early repeats set and then Ben Currie and Daryl Clark were then both held up over the line.
Ratchford forced another repeat set after Ryan Atkins chased down his kick and a Castleford player knocked it out for a drop out.
The pressure finally told on eight minutes when Joe Westerman found a gap in the line to score against his former club, converted by Kurt Gidley for 6-0.
But despite all the pressure, the Wolves ultimately went in behind at the break.
Super League’s top scorer Denny Solomona scored in the corner, with Luke Gale converting on 26 minutes for 6-6.
And the visitors took the lead on the half hour mark when Warrington were pinged for interference in the tackle.
Another Gale penalty double that lead on 46 minutes as Castleford continued to frustrate the home side.
But Rhys Evans levelled things up on the half mark, taking a long pass out on the edge, though Gidley missed the goal.
As the hooter closed in, Chris Sandow missed a drop goal barely three minutes from time, and then watched in anguish as Gale made no mistake at the other end to nudge the Yorkshiremen in front at 11-10.
But just as it looked like the game was gone, Hughes snatched the victory in the dying seconds to ensure the Wolves maintained second place in the table.
TRY! First try for @wolvesrl @joewesty13787 converted by @kurt_gidley 6-0 v @CTRLFC pic.twitter.com/ZvwVv7oPX9
— warrington-worldwide (@warringtonworld) August 20, 2016
Joe Westerman on his way to the try line – Picture Eddie Whitham
Sandow jumps for joy with the last gasp try Picture Eddie Whitham
Jack Hughes scores in the last minute Picture Eddie Whitham
Jack Hughes is congratulated by his team mates Picture Eddie Whitham
Special guest Chris Evans showing his support for his home town club as a guest of Simon Moran Picture Eddie Whitham
Warrington: Ratchford, Russell, T King, Atkins, R Evans, Gidley, Sandow, Hill, Clark, Sims, Currie, Hughes, Westerman. Subs: Dwyer, Westwood, Bailey, G King.
Castleford: Dorn; Hampshire, Crooks, Minikin, Solomona; Chase, Gale; Springer, Milner, Patrick, O Holmes, Savelio, Moors. Syvs:: Mariano, McShane, Cook, Millington.
For a gallery of more than 40 photos by Eddie Whitham CLICK HERE
