WARRINGTON Wolves are just one win away from a third consecutive Grand
Final at Old Trafford after overcoming Castleford Tigers 14-30 at the
Jungle.
Leading 4-10 in a tight first half Warrington evenually had too much fire power, with two tries in a three minute spell midway through the second half seeing off the Tigers, lining up either a visit to Wigan or St Helens, depending on the league leaders Club Call decision.
Warrington got off to a flying start as a charge down saw Ryan Atkins race clear to score, with Stefan Ratchford, standing in at full-back for the injured Matty Russell, slotting over the extras to open up a 0-6 lead.
But the Tigers roared back on 23 minutes when winger Rhys Evans failed to collect a high kick allowing Jamie Ellison to score. Marc Sneyd sliced the conversion attempt wide making it 4-6.
But within four minutes Warrington responded as Chris Bridge put Joel Monaghan over in the corner for the winger’s 32nd try of the season. Ratchford couldn’t add the extras as the teams went in 4-10 at the break.
Defences were on top for the opening of the second period and when Warrington got the chance of a penalty for interference Stefan Ratchford took the two points on offer.
Roy Asotasi came close to extending Warrington’s lead, losing control of the ball on the line on 55 minutes and within a minute the Tigers went the length of the field with Luke Dorn slicing through the defence and racing behind the sticks, giving Sneyd a simple conversion making it a two point game at 10-12.
But Warrington responded with some breath taking rugby duiring their best spell of the game with the ball, as Ratchford slipped a lovely pass to Richie Myler who raced clear to send the supporting Gareth O’Brien over. Ratchord then added the extras making it 10-18.
Three minutes later man-of-the-match Ratchford was again involved, slipping a long pass out to Rhys Evans who showed great control to ground the ball. Ratchford couldn’t add the extras but at 10-22 Warrington were in control.
Ratchford then added another penalty after taking a high shot and eight minutes from time Warrington made sure as a sweeping move involving Chris Bridge, Micky Higham and Ben Harrison saw Joel Monaghan over for his second try. Ratchford added the conversion in off the upright and at 10-30 the contest was over.
Evans was despatched to the sin bin with five minutes remaining for a professional foul and the Tigers scored a consolation try late on through Michael Shenton which Sneyd couldn’t improve.
After the game Head of Coaching Tony Smith praised his teams first half defensive performance but said there was “room for improvement” with ball control.
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Tigers: Dorn, Clare, Channing, Shenton, Carney, Sneyd, Ellis, Lynch, Clark, Huby, Holmes, Hauraki, Massey.
Subs: Dixon, Milner, Millington, Wheeldon.
Wolves: Ratchford, J Monaghan, Bridge, Atkins, R Evans, O’Brien, Myler, Hill, M Monaghan, England, Laithwaite, Waterhouse, Harrison.
Subs: Higham, Asotasi, Currie, Wood.
