WARRINGTON Wolves held off a spirited Castleford Tigers fightback to warm-up for Wembley with a return to winning ways in Super League.
After three successive league defeats, Sam Burgess’ side got themselves back within two points of the play-off places with a 34-24 triumph.
They got control in the first quarter of the game, opening up a 16-0 lead thanks to tries from Josh Thewlis, Jake Thewlis and Rodrick Tai.
Although George Lawler pulled one back for the Tigers, Warrington were firmly in command at half-time, leading 22-6 thanks to Arron Lindop’s score.
Ben Currie stretched the lead 14 minutes in to the second half, Marc Sneyd adding the extras for 28-6 before Castleford rallied.
The Yorkshiremen brought themselves back within two scores thanks to tries from Lawler and Innes Senior.
It took a try on a milestone occasion for Stefan Ratchford to settle any nerves six minutes from the end, the veteran marking his 350th appearance with a four pointer, and then adding the conversion himself.
Castleford rounded off the scoring through Josh Simm on the hooter, but Warrington’s attention turns firmly to the challenge of in-form Hull KR in next weekend’s Challenge Cup final.
Warrington: Dufty, Josh Thewlis, Tai, Lindop, Jake Thewlis, Ratchford, Sneyd, Vaughan, Powell, Yates, Holroyd, Fitzgibbon, Currie. Subs: Harrison, Philbin, Wood, Hartill.
Castleford: Hoy, Simm, Cini, Senior, Senior, Asi, Milnes, Okoro, Atkin, Singleton, Lawler, Mellor, Horne. Subs: Griffin, Hall, Hill, Salabio
