Unhappy return to Castleford for Warrington Wolves coach

IT WAS a miserable return to Castleford for Warrington Wolves coach Daryl Powell as they were beaten 35-22.

Warrington trailed 27-0 at one point, and despite twice threatening a comeback with Castleford down to 12 men, they fell to a disappointing defeat.

Castleford’s make shift stand-off Greg Eden laid on two early tries in the corner for winger Derrell Olpherts and then Danny Richardson got on the end of a short Paul McShane kick for 18-0.

The introduction of Joe Bullock and Thomas Mikaele off the bench gave Wolves some go forward but they failed to turn a spell of pressure in to points.

Richardson added a drop goal to nudge the hosts further ahead, and then Niall Evalds joined the line at speed to touch down late on and Castleford led 23-0 at half time.

Any hope of an unlikely comeback seemed well and truly extinguished on 48 minutes when Jason Qareqare crossed for the Tigers fifth try.

But Warrington finally got on the board when George Williams’ kick close to the line was touched down by Ben Currie, and then the same two players combined to send Matty Ashton away for a back-to-back score.

Their comeback hopes were boosted when Castleford’s Cheyse Blair saw red for a high shot on Josh Thewlis on the hour.

And when Daryl Clark fooled the defence to go over from dummy half under the posts, the fight back was on with 13 minutes left.

But in their desperation to keep the ball alive, a knock on Jake Wardle 35 metres out from their own line gifted Castleford field position.

They didn’t need a second invitation, and after a six again call, Joe Westerman hit Alex Sutcliffe on a line to restore their three score advantage.

Oliver Holmes crossed against his former club to bring Warrington within 11 with seven minutes to go, but the contest was ended by a Richardson penalty, and the Wolves fall six points behind their opponents in the table.

Castleford: Evalds, Faraimo, Blair, Fonua, Olpherts, Eden, Richardson, Griffin, McShane, Lawler, Edwards, Mellor, Westerman. Subs: Sutcliffe, Smith, Matagi, Qareqare.

Warrington: Ratchford, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Wardle, Ashton, Williams, Dean, Mulhern, Clark, Harrison, Currie, Nicholson, Holmes. Subs: Clark, Bullock, Wrench, Mikaele.

Two tries in two minutes for @WarringtonRLFC 🙌#SLCasWar pic.twitter.com/6XiTVXu8kH

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 16, 2022

The Wolves fighting back 💪 pic.twitter.com/XQeFEuMlcs

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 16, 2022

Oliver Holmes has scored a few at the Jungle 🌴

But this is his first in @WarringtonRLFC colours 🙌#SLCasWar pic.twitter.com/4AYJutbUJs

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 16, 2022