AN injury-hit Warrington Wolves secured a battling 18-16 victory over Catalans Dragons at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
On the hottest day of the year, Sam Burgess’s side bounced back from their previous loss to Leeds Rhinos to move level on points at the top of the Betfred Super League. Despite losing multiple key players to injury during the match, 18-year-old stand-in fullback Ewan Irwin proved to be the hero, slotting three crucial conversions and producing a match-winning, try-saving tackle in the dying moments.
Warrington completely controlled the opening 20 minutes. Flying winger Matty Ashton broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, finishing a slick team move to open the scoring. Ewan Irwin added the extras from the tee.
The first-half hydration break shifted the momentum. An aerial kick from Toby Sexton caused confusion in the Wolves’ ranks, allowing Zac Lipowicz to score just two minutes after the restart. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet converted to level the score.
In the 34th minute, Lewis Dodd delivered a crisp cut-out pass that bypassed three defenders, sending Nick Cotric over the line to push Catalans ahead 10-6 at the interval.
Already missing personnel, the Wolves’ backline was completely disrupted when Arron Lindop suffered a knee injury in a heavy tackle with Aispuro-Bichet. To compound their woes, regular fullback Josh Thewlis was unable to return for the second half due to a hip issue, forcing a massive reshuffle.
Despite the adversity, the Wire responded with immense physicality. In the 47th minute, Albert Hopoate muscled his way over for a terrific try, and Irwin’s conversion edged the hosts back ahead at 12-10.
With 16 minutes remaining, Ashton turned provider, slipping an inside pass to James Bentley, who ran in Warrington’s third try. Irwin calmly struck a brilliant conversion from wide out to make it 18-10.
Catalans refused to back down. Lewis Dodd skipped through to score with ten minutes left on the clock, narrowing the deficit to just two points. In the final moments, Aispuro-Bichet looked certain to win it for the visitors, but a stunning, last-ditch tackle from Irwin denied him. Catalans’ captain Benjamin Garcia was then sin-binned for dissent in the 78th minute, allowing Warrington to see out the win.
Warrington Wolves Fullback 2. Josh Thewlis (Subbed for Powell 40′) Wing 5. Matty Ashton Centre 23. Arron Lindop (Subbed for Wood 31′) Centre 26. Josh Smith Wing 4. Albert Hopoate Stand-off 18. Ewan Irwin Halfback 19. Leon Hayes Prop 21. Luke Thomas Hooker9. Danny Walker Prop16. Liam Byrne Second Row 20. James Bentley Second Row 13. Ben Currie Loose Forward 10. James Harrison Interchange 14. Sam Powell Interchange 17. Jordy Crowther Interchange 34. Kelepi Tanginoa Interchange 25. Max Wood 18th Man Adam Holroyd (Used)
Catalans Dragons Fullback Charlie Staines Wing Nick Cotric Centre Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet Centre Solomona Faataape Wing Lenny Marc Stand-off Toby Sexton Halfback Lewis Dodd Prop Josh Allen Hooker Kruise Leeming Prop Romain Navarrete Second Row Franck Maria Second Row Zac Lipowicz Loose Forward Ben Garcia (C) Interchange Chris Satae Interchange Ben Condon Interchange Harvey Wilson Interchange Matthieu Laguerre 18th Man Ugo Tison (Not used)
