Wolves beat Tigers to reach last four

Warrington Wolves proved too strong for Castleford Tigers tonight, winning 14-30 at the Mendahose Jungle to go through to the last four of the Super League playoffs.
They confirmed their superiority on the night in the final 20 minutes, after Castleford had fought back to 10-12 with a Luke Dorn try that was converted by Marc Sneyd.
They snatched the spoils with two quick tries from Gareth O’Brien and Rhys Evans, with Stefan Ratchford converting the first and then adding a penalty after 70 minutes to give the Wolves a convincing 10-24 lead.
Winger Joel Monaghan then scored his second try of the night in the corner after a great passing movement, and Ratchford’s conversion went in off the post.
The Tigers scored a late try by captain Michael Shenton, after a great kick towards the wing near the Warrington line from Sneyd, but it was too little too late for Castleford.
The Wolves had taken the lead after four minutes with a Ryan Atkins try that came from a Ben Harrison charge down, with Ratchford’s goal giving them a six-point lead.
The Tigers replied after 23 minutes, when James Clare knocked the ball back to Jamie Ellis, who was able to cross the line and score, although Sneyd couldn’t add the conversion.
Joel Monaghan then got his first try in the corner, which went unconverted, giving Warrington a six-point half-time margin.
The lead was extended to eight points when Ratchford kicked an early second-half penalty, and then came Dorn’s try, when he stepped brilliantly inside Richie Myler.
The Tigers’ fans thought that Dorn’s score would herald a revival, but it was the Wolves who took the game by the scruff of the neck to win it convincingly in the end.
A full report, analysis and photos from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.