Defeat for Cas at Warrington

Cas were defeated at the Halliwell Jones Stadium after an injury ridden first half left them with just one substitute for over 50 minutes.

The Fords had their first opportunity of the contest just three minutes in. A high bomb from Austin bounced into the hands of Eden. He stabbed a kick through which Thewlis collected, but his pass went to ground off Ratchford giving Cas the chance 10m out.

The Fords crashed over after Westerman found Hall running at pace and he reached out to ground it. After a visit to the video referee, Sam Hall had his first try for Castleford, and the Fords lead 6-0.

Warrington were level on 15 minutes. Walker made a break and offloaded to Williams to send him away but was tackled by Tasipale just short. Walker played the ball and found Vaughan who powered over from close range.

Warrington went in front for the first time with 18 to play in the first 40. The hosts were awarded a six again which got them up field. Vaughn took a carry in and managed to get his arm free to Dufty who ran in under the sticks.

Warrington were in again just 3 minutes later. Dufty made a break at pace and looked inside to Williams. Whilst Williams tried to gather, Tasipale knocked the ball out of his grasp, but the bounce of the ball favoured the hosts as it bounced up to Dufty to find Currie unmarked to stroll in.

Warrington threated again and we had another visit to the video referee. Williams reached out to ground the ball, but as he did, Westerman had other ideas and tackled the England captain’s arm to force an error on the line.

The Fords looked to edge back into the contest after a string of penalties their way. One for offiside closely followed by a high tackle. Eden went close and forced a knock on with a stabbed kick through from close range, but to no avail.

Cas went in at the break 18-6 down.

It was the Tigers who struck first after the break! Miller forced a drop out with a kick in-goal and the Fords set up from there. Three tackles into the set, from centre field, the ball was shifted left through Miller, to Widdop and a faceball from the Tigers number 6 found Eden to go in at the corner. Widdop with the boot from the touchline, cut the deficit to just 6 points with half an hour to play.

However, Jacob Miller saw yellow for a tip tackle, and Warrington take advantage. The hosts got within range, and Dufty stepped inside to ground under the sticks to re-establish their 12 point advantage.

Seconds later, they were further in front. Fresh after coming off the bench, Clark made a break and had just Widdop to beat. He had options but went on his own and beat Widdop to dot down.

Nicholson added another for the hosts on the hour mark. The ball shifted towards the right and offloaded to him by Kasiano gave him the chance to go over.

Less than a minute later, it got worse for the Fords. Cas attempted a short kick off but it was gathered by Crowther who broke to the 20m line before eventually being tackled. The ball moved towards the hosts’ left edge to Ashton who strolled in for another score.

Williams added a further try to Warrington’s scoreline after making a break and sprinting past Widdop to score.

Warrington broke the 50 point opark with another try, this time through Harrison. An inside ball from Williams to Dufty saw a gap open up, but a tackle put in from the Fords. He offloaded to Harrison who dotted the ball down.

Vaughan added another when he caught a pass just short and ploughed over before Williams rounded off the scoring after Ashton broke and he kept up in support to receive a ball inside.

FULL TIME: Warrington Wolves 66-12 Castleford Tigers

Teams:

Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Mikaele, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, Nicholson, Harrison

Interchanges: Clark, Kasiano, Philbin, Crowther

18th man: Hayes

Castleford Tigers: Widdop, Wallis, Tasipale, Turner, Eden, Austin, Miller, Hall, Lawler, Griffin, Edwards, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Martin, Johnstone, Foster, Tsikrikas

18th man: Qareqare

Scores:

Warrington Wolves:

Tries: Vaughan 2, Dufty 2, Currie, Clark, Nicholson, Ashton, Williams 2, Harrison

Goals: Ratchford 11/11

Castleford Tigers:

Tries: Hall, Eden

Goals: Widdop 2/2