Castleford 16-28 Warrington
Warrington returned to the top of Super League with their win at The Jungle
Saturday, 13, Feb 2010 07:40
By Martyn Thomas.
Warrington moved to the top of Super League thanks to a Lee Briers-inspired display at Castleford.
The visitors came from 10-0 down in the first half to win through tries from Briers, Simon Grix, Chris Riley and a Richie Myler brace.
Castleford had led 10-0 and then 16-14, but were unable to hold on in the second half.
Warrington arrived at The Jungle on the back of their 58-0 thumping of Harlequins last week and they started stronger than their hosts here.
Paul Jackson found himself on the receiving end of the Wolves' early dominance, and the elbow of Gareth Carvell, and the Cas forward had to leave the field within the first five minutes.
However, it was Castleford that got themselves on the scoresheet first, thanks to James Evans' 11th minute try. There was a question of obstruction in the build-up but the video ref confirmed the try and Westerman added the extras to give the home side a 6-0 lead.
And, the home side, who beat Leeds in their opener last weekend, went further in front after 20 minutes.
Rangi Chase's kick through was touched by Warrington's Michael Monaghan before Richard Owen raced through to set up another set of six for Wolves. The home side then recycled the ball for Joe Westerman to score.
He was unable to add the conversion however, so the home side's lead stayed at 10.
Despite the scoreline, Warrington were still in the game and almost scored thanks to a smart breakaway. Although that came to nothing, the resulting penalty brought a spell of pressure which told for the visitors.
Briers put a clever kick trough, which Grix managed to get on the end of. The stand-off added the extras to cut the deficit to four.
And Warrington were level before the break as Briers orchestrated another well-worked try. The ex-St Helens player put a delicious kick over the head of Michael Wainwright for Riley to sprint through and touch down
The home side started the second forty in the ascendancy and were unlucky not to go back in front as Westerman was held up in the in-goal area.
However, they didn't have to wait long to edge ahead as Evans gobbled up his second try of the game. Richie Mathers should have cut out the kick through, but he was unable to do so, allowing the Cas winger to score.
But the visitors weren't behind for long. Briers again came to the fore as he picked off Chase's pass to race home and pull Warrington back level.
They weren't level for though, and fell behind again within two minutes to a Westerman penalty.
With the game entering the final quarter, Warrington went in front for the first time.
The home side looked to have weathered some Wolves pressure but as they emerged with the ball, Hudson fumbled due to the attention of Carvell. That mistake gave Myler the chance to run in unopposed for the try.
After the video ref denied Castleford a try, Warrington nudged further in front thanks to a Bridge penalty.
And Myler made sure of the win with his second try of the game, following up after more good work from Briers.
Castleford: Owen; Wainwright, Shenton, Evans, Chase; McGoldrick, Sherwin; Huby, Jackson, Hudson, Ferres, Snitch, Westerman.
Replacements: Sargent, Jones, Higgins, Widdens.
Try: Evans (2), Westerman
Con: Westerman
Pen: Westerman
Warrington: Mathers; Riley, King, Harrison, Atkins; Bryers, Bridge; Monaghan, Myler, Morley, Carvell, Westwood, Anderson.
Replacements: Higham, Wood, Grix, Anderson.
Try: Grix, Riley, Briers, Myler (2)
Con: Bryers, Bridge (2)
Pen: Bridge