Warrington Wolves go eight from eight with win in France

WARRINGTON Wolves survived a red card for prop Gil Dudson to continue their perfect start to the season with a win away at Catalans.

Dudson was sent off with the scores locked at 14-all for a punch on Tom Johnstone as the Dragons winger lay on the floor in a tackle.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Warrington won the game 14-20 thanks to Josh Thewlis’ converted try with five minutes to go that earned them an eighth successive win.

Daryl Powell handed a debut to new signing Josh McGuire following his seven-match ban, while youngster Lucas Green was named on the bench.

Thewlis would ultimately book end the match, having opened the scoring on seven minutes in front of a sizeable Wolves faithful, despite the late cancellation of a flight many were due to be travelling on.

Mike McMeeken and Adam Keighran tries put the Dragons 10-4 in front before a searing break by Matt Dufty down the left hand side earned the Wolves’ second try, the full-back going all the way from 70 metres out to the left corner.

Warrington trailed 10-8 at half time but within six minutes of the restart they were in front, as the in-form George Williams went over for a try off a Sam Kasiano short pass.

It was all square at 14-all on the hour when Arthur Mourgue crossed for a try, with the subsequent conversion hitting the post, and it looked like Warrington had gifted Catalans the initiative after Dudson’s brain explosion that will surely see him banned for multiple matches.

But Thewlis’ late score means Warrington now pull four points clear at the top as they continue to set the early season pace, winning the eight opening games of Super League for the first time.

Is this the game winner from @JoshThewlis_1 ? 👀#SLCatWar pic.twitter.com/zOn3Gkeran

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 8, 2023

Catalans: Zenon, Johnstone, Romano, Whitley, Davies, Keighran, Mourgue, Navarrete, Da Costa, Bousquet, McMeeken, Seguier, Garcia. Subs: Goudemand, Taukeiaho, Dezaria, Tison.

Warrington: Dufty, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Dudson, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Nicholson, McGuire. Subs: Kasiano, Philbin, Minikin, Green.

On debut 🐺 pic.twitter.com/Ku6IEfjfha

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) April 8, 2023

The Wire strike first! 💥 pic.twitter.com/xURaQUscN1

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) April 8, 2023

“I think we showed how tough we are” 💪@WarringtonRLFC Daryl Powell reflects on his sides win in Perpignan 👊#SLCatWar pic.twitter.com/XWcUxJgh2I

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 8, 2023