WARRINGTON Wolves were brought back down to earth from their World Club Series success with a 22-30 home defeat to Castleford.
Andre Savelio had given the hosts an early lead, but they were blown away by classy Cas with a result that leaves the Wolves bottom of the table.
Tries from Jese Sene-Lefao, Zak Hardaker, Greg Eden and Luke Gale helped the Tigers to a 22-10 half-time lead.
The second of Tom Lineham’s double brought the hosts within six points, in front of the Sky Sports cameras, but Eden’s second and a try from Greg Minikin gave Castleford an unassailable lead.
It meant the Halliwell Jones Stadium crowd left disappointed, while winter signing Kevin Brown also tasted defeat on his Super League bow.
After the match Warrington boss Tony Smith: “We couldn’t cope with the speed of the play the ball and they blew our legs off in the first half and conceding back-to-back tries really hurts you.
“A few of our boys were off their best from their performance last week and you can’t afford to be when your opposition has some attack in them.
“The players showed character to get back to a point that with a bit more fortune we could pinch the game – but to concede 30 points is not pleasing in our dressing room!”
Warrington make the trip to Salford for their next game on Saturday.
Warrington: Johnson; Russell, Evans, Atkins, Lineham; Brown, Patton; Cooper, Clark, Sims, Hughes, Savelio, Westerman. Replacements: Dwyer, Crosby, Livett, Westwood.
Castleford: Hardaker, Minikin, Webster, Shenton, Eden; Chase, Gale; Lynch, Milner, Springer, Sene-Lefao, McMeeken, Massey. Replacements: Millington, Moors, Cook, Monaghan.
Atten: 11,374
From one end to the other in just 15 seconds 😲
Surely this effort from @CTRLFC‘s @snozzer_gale will be a contender for Try of the Season! pic.twitter.com/I4wWBdtzMF
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 25, 2017
Not the result we were looking for. Early days yet. Heads down and work hard ready for next week
— Bennie Westwood (@bennie_westwood) February 24, 2017
Not the result we wanted tonight but we get to put things right next week against Salford💛💙#wire
— Harvey Livett (@Harvey_Livett) February 24, 2017
I have no doubt we WILL come good.. Head Down, we go Again. 🙏🏽💛💙
— Dre Savelio✌️ (@AndreSavelio) February 24, 2017
Absolutely gutted about the result tonight…. time to get back training n work hard to get back on track for next week… respect to cas 👍
— Joe Westerman (@joewesty13787) February 24, 2017
PRESS: A bit more from Tony post match talking to the media #biggamenight pic.twitter.com/1Z7eUdq7Ia
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) February 25, 2017
Disappointing from us tonight thought cas we’re solid suppose there’s one plus it’s only round 2 heads down and on to Salford 🏉 #wire
— Daryl Clark (@Darylclark9) February 24, 2017
PRESS: Tony also touches on some of the key performers in Wire colours tonight #biggamenight pic.twitter.com/V4EoqrYrdB
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) February 24, 2017
