Tigers take the two points over Wolves
It was a dramatic ending as the Fords earned a 23-14 win at Wheldon Road!
Cas’ had their first input in the match 5 minutes in. Wrench lost the ball for the visitors and Turner was there to scoop it up. Nathan Massey went close under the sticks but is awarded a penalty inches from the line. The penalty resulted in Harrison being sent to the bin for a professional foul, and Cas had the ball in front of the sticks. They opted to take the 2 and Widdop slotted it easily for the first points of the contest.
The Tigers edged further in front two minutes later. Wire were pinged for offside on their own line, and Cas were in range again. The ball was shifter left to right and with a man advantage, an overlap was there to be taken. Widdop made the final pass to Tate who grounded in the corner!
The Tigers were made to defend three sets on the spin with Warrington forcing two drop outs; One from a Walker kick cleared behind by Widdop and a Dufty kick knocked behind by Qareqare. Their resillience was rewarded with the ball back after a forward pass against the visitors.
Cas broke down the left edge after Widdop found a gap, and a brilliant offload to Qareqare sent the young winger running but he was caught by full back Dufty. From the following play, Warrington had hands in at the ruck and were penalised for it. Widdop on target again with a penalty goal giving the Tigers an 8 point lead at the half way mark in the first 40.
The Tigers opted to add another two points to their tally with 13 to go in the half. Warrington penalised again for coming off their line too early and Widdop slotted his 3rd goal of the evening.
Warrington looked in the acsendency on 32 minutes and came close through Kasiano but was held up well. After a penalty, they kept the pressure on, but as Kasiano looked to offload, Jordan Turner was there to collect and relieve the pressure. Resilient Defence from Cas.
This paid off. After Cas got to the end of the set, Miller launched a high bomb that was flicked back by Turner. Qareqare was there to collect, turn and dot down in the corner. The Fords were 14-0 up and very, very good for it.
Cas stood firm on their own line once again late in the half. After Warrington had a penalty and another chance 20m Cas stuck together and put a shot of former Cas man Clark and dislodged the ball.
Fantastic first half for the Fords who went in at the break, 14-0 to the good!
The visitors got their first points of the game 6 minutes after the break. After a high shot against Cas, Warrington kicked to halfway. Two drives got them within 20m and on third tackle, a face ball from Ratchford missed two white jerseys to find Ashton on the wing who grounded in the corner.
More brilliant defence followed for the Tigers. As Warrington looked right, Qareqare came in with a brilliant hit on Thewlis and dislodged the ball.
Cas had their Tails wagging again with 22 to play. A high kick from Miller forced a knock on in the air by Warrington and the Tigers were inside 10m. However, a little bit of overplay and a pass destined for Miller found the floor and a Wire man collected.
From that wayward pass, Warrington got up field and kicked on the last. The ball was adjudged to have gone forwards in the air as Widdop jumped and the visitors had the chance, and they took it. The ball came right to left and found Ashton who cut inside and reached out to ground for his second of the evening. With Ratchford off the field, former Cas man Mata’utia added the extras with the boot. 17 to play, 14-10 to the Fords.
Warrington were level just 4 minutes later. Centre Wrench found a gap and ran through at pace to ground in the corner. Matautia missed with the boot setting up a grandstand final 10 minutes.
Cas went back in front with 7 and a half to play! A monster of a drop goal from 40m out from Gareth Widdop was good and Cas had a one point advantage!
Warrington came close shortly after. They earned the ball back from a short kick off, and looked to force their way over. An offload however found the hands of Cain Robb on the line and then the Fords were awarded a penalty and kicked away from their own line.
Cas secured the points with 3 to play! Broady with a fantastic line finds a Westy pass and crashes over! Widdop added the extras with ease!
Widdop added two more on the hooter with his 4th penalty goal of the evening!
FULL TIME: Castleford Tigers 23-14 Warrington Wolves
Scores:
Castleford Tigers:
Tries: Tate, Qareqare, Broadbent
Goals: Widdop 1/2
Penalty Goals: Widdop 4/4
Drop goals: Widdop 1/1
Warrington Wolves
Tries: Ashton, Wrench
Goals: Ratchford 0/1
Matau’tia 1/2
Penalty Goals:
Sin Bin: Harrison
Teams:
Castleford Tigers: Widdop, Tate, Mellor, Turner, Qareqare, Broadbent, Miller, Watts, Massey, Griffin, Edwards, Sutcliffe, Westerman
Interchanges: Mustapha, Robb, Martin, Hall
18th man: Faraimo
Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis, Wrench, Minikin, Ashton, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Dudson, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Harrison, Philbin
Interchanges: Clark, Kasiano, Bullock, Russell
18th man: Green
Golden Gamble: 01041
Attendance: 6066