A STRONG defensive performance ensured Warrington Wolves returned to winning ways as they out muscled Catalan Dragons 15-6 in a tough encounter at the Halliwell Jones – and while it wasn’t champagne rugby, it was the perfect tonic ahead of Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final.
Tony Smith, taking no injury chances before Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final showdown with Huddersfield Giants, was forced to draft 18th man Stefan Ratchford (pictured right) into the team after Lee Briers failed a fitness test on an achilles problem 45 minutes before kick off.
Despite plenty of early poressure the Wolves couldn’t find a way through the Catalan defence. An opportunist try from Ben Westwood, after Ben Harrison off loaded the ball on the line after 15 minutes, converted by Brett Hodgson, was the only score of a first half when defences were on top.
The second half was just as tight with the Wolves again restricted to just one try when a sweeping move saw Ryan Atkins touch down following good work by Hodgson, Westwood and Harrison. Hodgson’s conversion attempt hit the upright.
But the visitors eventually broke down the Warrington defence when veteran Steve Menzies opened up a gap for Jason Baitieri to power through the tackles of Bridge and Harrison. Dureau’s conversion cut the gap to four points on the hour.
In a tough physical encounter a high tackle on Michael Monaghan by David Ferriol saw the French forward placed on report and Hodgson handed the ball to Gareth O’Brien who converted the penalty to make it 12-6 after 67 minutes.
Catalan managed to win the ball back from the kick off but couldn’t turn possession into points and then a drop goal from Michael Monaghan and a penalty from Hodgson right on the hooter completed the scoring and ensured Warrington go into Sunday’s Challenge cup clash with Huddersfield on the back of a hard fought win.
Westwood, returning after a hernia operation, was outstanding in the Wolves pack and is a welcome return to the squad for the Challenge Cup semi-final.
FOR PICTURES FROM THE GAME CLICK HERE
Warrington Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Chris Riley, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Joel Monaghan; Stefan Ratchford, Gareth O’Brien; Garreth Carvell, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Adrian Morley, Mike Cooper, Michael Monaghan, Tyrone McCarthy.
Catalan Dragons: Clint Greenshields; Damien Blanch, Daryl Millard, Vincent Duport, Damien Cardace; Leon Pryce, Scott Dureau; David Ferriol, Ian Henderson, Remi Casty, Steve Menzies, Lopini Paea, Jason Baitieri. Subs: Greg Mounis, Sebastien Raguin, Eloi Pelissier, Jamal Fakir.
