Warrington Wolves lose in final home game following another second-half collapse

Pictures Eddie Whitham

WARRINGTON Wolves surrendered a half-time lead to lose their final home match of the season 19-18 against Castleford.

Wolves led 12-0 at the break after a second successive half without conceding, but in an all too familiar tale, threw away that advantage and fell to defeat.

Castleford scored 19 unanswered points, including Danny Richardson’s decisive drop goal, in 22 minutes before Peter Mata’utia’s try gave Wolves hope.

The defeat, coupled with Wakefield’s win over Hull KR, means Warrington slip to second bottom ahead of Toulouse, whose relegation was confirmed by defeat to Catalans.

After making his Super League debut last week at Leeds, Luke Thomas was named on the bench for his first home appearance. Matty Ashton missed out through injury and was replaced by Josh Thewlis on the wing.

Matt Dufty opened the scoring on eight minutes for the hosts, crashing his way over for his first try in Warrington colours.

Having converted the first try, Stefan Ratchford doubled the lead on 14 minutes. The England international stepping his way to dive under the sticks for a 12-0 lead.

Warrington should have had their third on 27 minutes, but Peter Mata’utia’s pass back on the inside to James Harrison couldn’t stick.

Castleford then came inches away from their first just before the break. Greg Eden racing away, only to be tackled just short by Dufty before Thewlis intercepted the next pass.

Mamo scored Castleford’s first six minutes into the second 40. Featuring at full-back, with Eden moved to the halves, the Australian grounded a kick from Richardson to score against his former club.

Off-contract winger Olpherts crossed on 54 minutes thanks to a slick cut-out pass from Richardson, with the half-back converting from out-wide to level the scores at 12-12.

Richardson then gave his side their first lead of the evening on 64 minutes with a drop-goal, slotting from in front of the sticks.

Crossing for his second try thanks to an assist from Mamo, Olpherts extended that lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the clash.

Warrington’s Mata’utia set up a tense finish, grounding his own grubber kick in the corner with just six remaining on the clock.

George Williams attempted a 40-metre drop-goal in the last 60 seconds, only for his attempt to bounce out dead.

Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Minikin, Mata’utia, Wardle, Thewlis, Ratchford, Williams, Bullock, D.Clark, Mulhern, Harrison, Holmes, J.Clark. Bench: Currie, Walker, Mikaele, Thomas.

Matt Dufty 🤯 COMMITMENT 👏

Brilliant try-saving tackle to deny the Tigers 😱#SuperLeague #SLWarCas pic.twitter.com/7Jk4IDInz5

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 25, 2022

A first @WarringtonRLFC try for Matt Dufty 🤩

The Wolves leading the Tigers 12-0 midway through the first half 👊#SuperLeague #SLWarCas pic.twitter.com/hXMrp4xmz6

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 25, 2022