Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves suffered another defeat in the south of France, as they went down 30-10 to Catalans Dragons.
The game ended with a mass brawl, amidst unsavoury scenes in the terraces, which saw two Catalans players shown a red card and Jake Mamo receive a second yellow.
The defeat, Warrington’s third successive in the league, means they now have the chasing pack on their tail for second place, with Hull still two points behind and Wigan and Catalans a further two points back.
Catalans took the lead on 10 minutes from the boot of Sam Tomkins, who would see red after the hooter.
There would be two sin-bins on 16 minutes when Chris Hill and Michael McIlorum, another to be sent off late on, were given 10 minutes after things got heated between the two sets of players, with the subsequent penalty converted by Tomkins for 4-0.
Blake Austin was forced from the field with a knock moments before the game’s first try, which went in Warrington’s favour as Mamo crossed in the corner.
Catalans restored a four point lead at the break though, Fouad Yaha scoring in the corner for 8-4.
Warrington started the second half well and took the lead for the first and only time when Hill powered over from close range, with Stefan Ratchford’s conversion making it 10-8.
David Mead’s converted try put Catalans back in front, and Tomkins added another penalty shortly before the hour mark.
Warrington were reduced to 12 men for the second time in the match when Mamo was yellow carded after chasing down Mead on a break, and the French side made the most of their numerical advantage, Tomkins scoring a penalty and then converting a Matt Whitley try for 24-10 with eight minutes left.
Tony Gigot scored a late try to wrap up the win, before the game ended with ugly scenes at the hooter.
Catalans: Tomkins, Mead, Langi, Wiliame, Yaha, Bird, Gigot, Bousquet, McIlorum, Simon, Whitley, Garcia, Casty. Subs: Edwards, Da Costa, Maria, Kasiano.
Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, Goodwin, King, Mamo, Austin, Patton, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Clark. Subs: Philbin, Akauola, Livett, Davis.
