Player ratings as Warrington Wolves secure win over Castleford Tigers in controversial circumstances

WARRINGTON WOLVES overcame Castleford Tigers, 28-6, in controversial circumstances at The Jungle.

Warrington almost scored in the opening exchanges when Josh Thewlis slid over in the corner. However, a desperate Innes Senior tackle forced the winger into touch.

Debutant Jenson Windley went close before Luke Yates was sinbinned for a swinging arm to the head of Liam Watts in the 14th minute.

However, it was the Wolves that hit first on 24 minutes. Cai Taylor-Wray was adjudged to have grounded the ball on the line by video referee Liam Rush despite him appearing to be short and despite referee Tom Grant awarding a no try on the field. Thewlis expertly converted for a 6-0 lead.

Thewlis made it 8-0 with a penalty just before half-time as Castleford were found offside by Grant before the visitors almost scored on the hooter when Matty Ashton dived for the corner. He was dragged into touch, however.

HALF-TIME: CASTLEFORD TIGERS 0-8 WARRINGTON WOLVES

The writing was on the wall for the Tigers early in the second-half after a controversial first 40 minutes. John Bateman walked through a huge hole just five minutes in. Thewlis made it 14-0 with the boot.

Castleford seemingly recovered from that onslaught to respond on 52 minutes, Luke Hooley taking an Elie El-Zakhem pass to fly over for his first try in Tigers’ colours. Holey converted to reduce the deficit to eight at 14-6.

Yet another controversial Grant decision, however, this time for a harsh ball steal against Castleford, paved the way for the Wolves to settle proceedings just after the hour, Matty Nicholson going in off a Danny Walker pass. Thewlis couldn’t convert but the visitors led 18-6.

Ashton added another with a trademark finish before Thewlis rounded off the scoring with a try and a conversion for a 28-6 win.

Castleford Tigers

34 Tex Hoy – 7
23 Jason Qareqare – 6
1 Luke Hooley – 7
28 Will Tate – 6
5 Innes Senior – 5
38 Jenson Windley – 7
7 Jacob Miller – 5
8 Liam Watts – 7
14 Liam Horne – 7
19 Joe Westerman – 7
11 Elie El-Zakhem – 7
12 Alex Mellor – 8
29 George Hill – 6
Substitutes
9 Paul McShane – 6
21 Sylvester Namo – 6
30 Luis Johnson – 5
32 Daniel Hindmarsh – 6

Tries: Hooley (52)
Goals: Hooley 1/1

Warrington Wolves

38 Cai Taylor-Wray – 8
2 Josh Thewlis – 8
3 Toby King – 9
14 Rodrick Tai – 7
5 Matty Ashton – 6
6 George Williams – 7
7 Josh Drinkwater – 6
41 Luke Yates – 5
32 Sam Powell – 8
10 Paul Vaughan – 6
13 Matty Nicholson – 6
42 John Bateman – 7
11 Ben Currie – 7
Substitutes
8 James Harrison – 6
9 Danny Walker – 8
16 Zane Mugrove – 6
17 Jordan Crowther – 5