WARRINGTON Wolves got off to a flying start to the new Super League
season with a convincing 40-24 victory over Castleford Tigers at the
Halliwell Jones Stadium with a seven try show.
Six different players got on the score sheet with Bennie Westwood grabbing a brace and Brett Hodgson landing five conversion attempts.
Prior to kick off past players gave a guard of honour during a minutes applause in memory of former Wire legend Dave Chisnall who recently died from cancer aged 64.
As if inspired Warrington roared out of the blocks and the game was almost over as contest as they crossed for four tries in the opening 13 minutes through Chris Riley, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Evans andf Richie Myler, (pictured above and right) with Hodgson landing three conversions to open up a 22-0 lead.
But to their credit the visitors didn’t wilt and although the Wolves added further first half efforts from Garreth Carvell and Westwood, the Tigers managed first half scores from Justin Carney and Michael Shenton, with Ellis landing two conversions to make it 34-12 at the break.
The expected second half onslaught from the Wolves never materialised as the Tigers kept them to one further Westwood try, as they shaded the second half two tries to one, through Richard Owen and Jake Webster – but the damage had already been done.
After the match Wolves boss Tony Smith said: “We were probably a little bit scrappy with the ball at times but I thought our defence was was pretty good for a fair amount of the game.
“But we did some really good stuff as well today and, with the amount of penalties in the match and the amount of ball turned over, you are going to concede a few points.”
Past Players line up in memory of Dave Chisnall
Two tries for Ben Westwood
A battered and bruised Rhys Evans leads the applause to the fans at the end
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