This always felt like a night when we would learn plenty about the title credentials of both Warrington and Castleford and, in the end, that was exactly what we got. For the Wolves, who made it four victories out of five, this was all about returning to winning ways after last week’s defeat against Catalans Dragons and maintaining their impressive early-season form.
For Castleford, who travelled across the Pennines as one of only two remaining unbeaten sides in Super League, it was about how a squad decimated by injuries would cope against one of their main rivals for the title. At times, it threatened to get ugly for the visitors – who were staring down the barrel of a real hiding on the hour mark, trailing 24-4.
But while Warrington eventually, and deservedly, joined Castleford on eight points from a possible 10 following this victory, the manner in which the Tigers rallied in the final quarter without over half a dozen first-team regulars deserves some credit. “The steel and spirit in this club is outstanding,” an understandably proud Castleford coach, Daryl Powell, said. “It probably wasn’t the best we played but in terms of spirit, it was right up there. I’m proud of them.”
That said, there was never really any doubting from an early stage it would be Warrington who would emerge victorious here. With Castleford already shorn of a number of front-line internationals, by half-time here no fewer than three of Castleford’s pack were bandaged up, their patched-up squad looking more like a Dad’s Army tribute act than a rugby league side.
They were up against it in terms of the scoreline by then too, trailing 16-4 after a polished, accomplished first-half display. “That was a tough game, and we showed some real character and belief,” the Wolves coach, Steve Price, said. Greg Eden’s early try put the visitors ahead, but Warrington soon responded.
Their fightback was led by Jake Mamo, the winger who, in his first start, scored two of their three first-half tries that made it 16-4 by the break. “He came up with some nice touches,” Price said of Mamo. Warrington’s other try in the half went to Jack Hughes following more smart play from Mamo.
Stefan Ratchford’s penalty, coupled with a rampaging effort from Ben Murdoch-Masila, put daylight between the teams by the hour mark. But the Tigers’ determination in that final quarter is what undoubtedly pleased Powell; the remaining try coming from the visitors as Greg Minikin crossed. This, though, was undoubtedly Warrington’s night: and another reminder of their title credentials this year.
Warrington Ratchford; Mamo, Goodwin, King, Charnley; Austin, Patton; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Tasi. Interchange Murdoch-Masila, Westwood, Philbin, Clark.
Tries Eden, Minikin. Goals Rankin.
Castleford Mata’utia; Clare, Minikin, Shenton, Eden; Trueman, Rankin; Watts, McShane, Moors, Sene‑Lefao, Clarkson, Massey. Interchange Foster, Cook, Egodo, O’Neill.
Tries Mamo 2, Hughes, Murdoch-Masila. Goals Ratchford 4. Referee C Kendall. Attendance 9,231.
