Catalans 20-12 Warrington: Dragons start with a win

Former Wire playmaker Richie Myler scored one of the home side's three tries, the others coming from Greg Bird and Brayden Wiliame, both on debut, albeit Bird's a second for the club.

Andre Savelio scored on his first Warrington appearance, with the other score from Rhys Evans.

The shock defeat was hardly the result Warrington would have been looking for heading into their World Club Series showdown with Brisbane Broncos next Saturday, and certainly not how they would have wanted to start their Super League campaign.

The Wolves were missing the likes of Stefan Ratchford, Ben Westwood, Chris Hill and Kevin Brown through injury, but despite that they started the match much the brighter.

The penalty count heavily favoured the home side but it was Warrington who took the lead when Joe Westerman and Kurt Gidley combined to send Savelio over for a debut try in the ninth minute.

Declan Patton added the conversion to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.

Catalans fought back, though, and were level by half-time.

The Dragons, without full-back Tony Gigot - banned by the French Federation for ''inappropriate behaviour'' towards an anti-doping officer - and the injured Louis Anderson, opened their account for the game in the 24th minute thanks to Myler's try.

Luke Walsh's bomb to the right was allowed to bounce by Evans and when he did collect the ball he was immediately tackled by two Catalans defenders. They attempted to push the Wales international to the side-line, and the under-pressure Evans ended up offloading the ball into the arms of Myler, who raced the 15 metres to score down the right.

Walsh failed to add the extra two points but he made amends two minutes before the break to level the scores at 6-6, adding a penalty goal from the right of the posts after Warrington had infringed around the ruck.

Warrington suffered a setback almost immediately after half-time when they were reduced to 12 men as Tom Lineham was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul following Matty Russell's knock on.

Catalans quickly made the most of their numerical advantage, twice going close to scoring before Paul Aiton scooted away 10 metres from the Warrington line and found Bird, who had run a great line to cut through the Warrington defence to touch down. Walsh added the conversion to take the score to 12-6.

A Walsh penalty 11 minutes from time increased Catalans' lead to eight points, but Warrington hit back and reduced the deficit through Evans' try with two minutes remaining.

Kurt Gidley attacked down the right on the last tackle, sent a wide pass to Ashton Sims - who had just come onto the field - in the centres and his tip pass to Evans allowed the Welshman to score in the corner. Patton added the conversion from the touchline to take the score to 14-12.

But Warrington hopes of a dramatic late recovery were dashed when Jack Hughes dropped the ball close to his line after Catalans had kicked long.

That allowed the home side to eat up the clock before they finally ended Warrington's challenge by notching a third try right at the death.

On the last tackle, Aiton decided against kicking into touch, instead handing the ball onto Myler who sent Wiliame over for his debut try. Walsh added the extra two points after the hooter sounded to complete the scoring.