Castleford Tigers halfback Liam Finn almost certainly ended Warrington’s play-off hopes for the season when he landed a last-minute field-goal to secure a 17-16 victory to consoidate the Tigers’ own play-off aspirations as they moved into fourth place in the Super League table.
Warrington now lie six points behind the Tigers with just five games to play, making the top four an almost impossible prospect.
The Tigers, who had been beaten 6-44 by the Wolves at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle three weeks earlier, came out determined to get their revenge, and they took the lead when winger Justin Carney went in at the corner on 16 minutes after fine work by Luke Gale and Michael Shenton, with Gale converting.
After Kevin Penny had a try disallowed for a knock-on by Ryan Atkins, Shenton touched down for Castleford’s second try, with Gale unable to convert this time.
Rhys Evans had a second try disallowed for Warrington, this time for a forward pass, before the Wolves eventually got on the scoreboard before half-time when Ashton Sims put Richie Myler over near the posts, with Chris Sandow converting
Just before the interval Gale converted a penalty for interfernce to give the Tigers a 12-6 lead.
And they were further ahead three minutes into the second half when Carney scored his second, although this time Gale’s conversion attempt hit the post.
Warrington gave themselves a chance on 69 minutes, however, when Richie Myler caught a Liam Finn kick and ran the length of the field to score, although Sandow’s kick also hit the post.
But after 76 minutes it looked as though the Wolves had shared the spoils when Penny went over in the corner and Sandow landed a beautiful touchline conversion.
But Finn ruined their celebrations and possible ended Warrington’s season.
A full report, photos and analysis will feature in Monday’s League Express.
