Betfred Super League
Warrington (6) 18
Trying to: Ashton, Hopoate, Bentley Terms: Irwin 3
Catalan (10) 16
Trying to: Lipowicz, Cotric, Dodd Terms: Aispuro-Bichet 2
Warrington overcame injury problems to level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the top of the Super League with a comfortable victory over the Catalans.
Wolves, who lost Arron Lindop and Josh Thewlis to injury, had to play the whole of the second half at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with a relegated backline, but they dug deep to hold on to the big French side.
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Full-back Ewan Irwin, who scored three goals in three, was the hero, with the 18-year-old producing a try to save Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet late on to clinch the win.
It was an important win for coach Sam Burgess’ side after a heavy loss to the Rhinos last week.
Warrington dominated the opening 20 minutes and standout Matty Ashton gave them a deserved goal with a well-worked try, but a first-half hydration break changed the momentum of the game.
Less than two minutes after the restart, the Dragons were level with a try by Zac Lipowicz after Toby Sexton’s aerial kick caused confusion in the Warrington ranks.
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Six minutes from time, the visitors took the lead through Nick Cotric’s try which was set up by Lewis Dodd’s brilliant pass, which cut through three Wolves backs.
With Lindop, who had just returned from a long-term knee injury, coming off another knee problem that looked serious as against Aispuro-Bichet saw the Catalans’ centre-back reported, and Thewlis missing the second half due to a hip problem, Warrington faced it.
But their response was more impressive, with Albert Hopoate’s powerful finish giving them a 12-10 lead.
James Bentley headed the home side through Ashton’s pass with 16 minutes remaining, and Irwin hit a stunning strike from outside to put Warrington two points clear.
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Dodd pulled a try for the Catalans with 10 minutes to go and Aispuro-Bichet looked set to win it for the French side, but Irwin – sidelined due to injury – had the final say.
‘We had an expensive night’ – the reaction
Warrington manager Sam Burgess told Sky Sports:
“We had a very bad night with injuries. I’m praying for the best for Arron but it doesn’t look good.
“It was a terrible thing. It turned out to be Arron’s knee that he fixed and it just happened to be him. That’s the worst part of my job – I hate to see that.”
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Dragons coach John Cartwright told Sky Sports:
“I think we left that one behind. We were our own enemy at times. I didn’t think we stuck to the plan as well as we should have.”
Warrington: Thewlis, Ashton, Lindop, Smith, Hopoate, Irwin, Hayes; Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Bentley, Currie, Harrison.
Crossroads: Powell, Crowther, Wood, Tanginoa, Holroyd (18th man, used)
Catalans: Staines, Cotric, Aispuro-Bichet, Faataape, Marc, Sexton, Dodd, Allen, Leeming, Navarette, Maria, Lipowicz, Garcia.
Crossroads: Satae, Condon, Wilson, Laguerre.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
