WARRINGTON Wolves further outlined their credentials with a hard-fought 16-8 win away at Catalans Dragons.
Two of Sam Burgess’ three Super League defeats as coach of Warrington had been against the French side earlier this season, including on the same Stade Gilbert Brutus pitch on the opening day of the season.
And Burgess’ stamp on the side was evident in a brutal first half that saw no tries and just four points shared between the two teams, courtesy of the respective boots of Arthur Mourgue and Josh Thewlis.
Thewlis’ penalty had kicked the Warringotn Wolves in front after he had been chased down by Tom Davies on a 70 metre interception, with the Catalans winger sinbinned for a professional foul as a result.
There was also a sinbin in the build-up to the equalising penalty from Mourgue, as Warrington’s Australian back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon was shown a yellow card.
Observers who thought that the heat and hard work would be the undoing of Warrington proved to be wrong.
They got off to the perfect start in the second half when George Williams crossed for the game’s opening try, goaled by Thewlis and they led 8-2.
A Thewlis penalty stretched that lead to 10-2 and the points were all but in the bag with 10 to play when Matty Ashton crossed for a try.
Although Catalans gave themselves hope with five to go, courtesy of a converted Davies try, Thewlis’ penalty late on eased Warrington nerves and ensures they keep pace with St Helens at the summit of Super League.
Next up for Warrington Wolves are back to back games against fellow title contenders Wigan Warriors, first up at the Halliwell Jones on Saturday June 1, followed up a week later for the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley!
Catalans: Mourgue, Davies, Romano, Ikuvalu, Johnstone, Abdull, Fages, Navarrete, Da Costa, Bousquet, Sims, Sironen, Garcia. Subs: Nikorima, Seguier, Satae, Dezaria.
Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis, King, Tai, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Nicholson, Fitzgibbon, Currie. Subs: Powell, Musgrove, Philbin, Wood.
Ashton seals the victory 😆
A crucial late score made sure @WarringtonRLFC left with the two #SuperLeague points 👊 pic.twitter.com/GFrFAmcNgJ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 25, 2024
