JOSH Thewlis’ late try rescued Warrington Wolves from defeat at Catalans Dragons after the home side fought back from 18-2 down at half-time.
Thewlis went from zero to hero after his error led to the Dragons completing their comeback to lead 20-18 with six minutes to go.
But the winger got on the end of George Williams’ short kick to the line after the England stand-off had weaved through the Dragons defence.
At half-time, it looked like Warrington were heading to the sort of routine win they needed in untypical rainy conditions in Perpignan, with storms even preventing some travelling fans from making the game at all.
Zack Gardner bagged his first senior try for the club and Connor Wrench linked up to put Williams over.
Marc Sneyd, who would later go off injured, added a penalty and then before half-time Jordy Crowther got on the end of a Williams kick to make it 18-2.
Warrington turned down the chance to increase that lead with a penalty bang in front from a failed short drop out but at that stage, it didn’t feel like being an issue.
But former Warrington youngster Denive Balmforth got Catalans’ first try on 52 minutes and then when Aispuro-Bichet squeezed in at the corner, the Dragons were well back in the game at 18-14.
What looked like being the big moment came when Thewlis went down having apparently been tripped by Tommy Makinson as he tried to field a high kick, with Catalans scooping up the loose ball and Balmforth going over.
The referee sent it to the video referee as a no try, but James Vella judged that the contact between Thewlis and Makinson was incidental, and all of a sudden, Warrington found themselves behind.
It would have been a disaster to lose but fortunately, star man Williams came up trumps when it mattered, finding Thewlis with less than three minutes to go to make it three straight wins for Sam Burgess’ side with a 20-24 victory.
Catalans: Aispuro-Bichet, Makinson, Laguerre, Cotric, Yaha, Keary, Rouge, Satae, Da Costa, Navarrete, Pangai, Seguier, Partington. Subs: Bousquet, Dezaria, Maria, Balmforth
Warrington: Dufty, Thewlis, Wrench, Gardner, Thewlis, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie. Subs: Harrison, Ratchford, Philbin, Crowther (Thomas)
