Warrington 22-30 Castleford: Castleford take top spot

Match Stats

Warrington tries: Savelio (6,71), Lineham (37,59)
Penalties/conversions: Patton (6,59), Livett (71) 

Castleford tries: Sene-Lefao (19), Hardaker (21), Eden (25,75), Gale (27), Minikin (64)
Penalties/conversions: Gale (19,21,27) 

Match Report

Castleford scrum-half Luke Gale was in inspiring form as the Tigers maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a thrilling 30-22 victory over Warrington at the Halliwell Jones stadium.

Gale claimed one try, had a hand in two others and landed three goals as the Tigers showed why many are tipping them to be real Super League challengers in 2017 with this success over last year's beaten Grand Finalists.

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Former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker also caught the eye with a try and a spectacular 70-metre break from deep inside his own half to set up Gale's try during an eight-minute purple patch in the first half which saw the Tigers cross for four tries.

Jesse Sene-Lefao and Greg Eden also touched down in a stunning spell of attacking rugby by Daryl Powell's side and the win was secured with a fine second-half try from winger Greg Minikin and Eden's second of the game five minutes from time.

Winger Tom Lineham and second row forward Andre Savellio both claimed two tries for the Wolves, who are still looking for their first league win of the season with Declan Patton kicking two goals and Harvey Livett adding another.

The hosts made just one change from the starting line-up that defeated Brisbane Broncos 27-18 in the World Club series with Jack Johnson coming in at full back for Kurt Gidley, who was a late withdrawal through illness, while Dom Crosby replaced Joe Philbin on the bench.

Castleford were forced into a change at hooker from the side that thrashed Leigh 44-16 in the opening week of the season with Adam Milner replacing the suspended Paul McShane, while former Wolves favourite Joel Monaghan started on the bench in place of Ben Roberts.

The Wolves were quickest out of the blocks and an early onslaught on the Tigers line saw Ryan Atkins have a try disallowed for a forward pass and hooker Daryl Clark held up over the line against his former club.

But the home side got their early rewards after just six minutes when Kevin Brown's crossfield kick was palmed back by Rhys Evans and second row forward Savellio did well to scoop up the loose ball to dive over before Patton added the conversion.

Warrington continued to have the upper hand but the game changed dramatically midway through the first-half as Cas hit their hosts with four tries in a devastating eight-minute spell.

The Wolves were an inch away from increasing their lead when Joe Westerman just failed to touch down a Patton kick but Castleford immediately went down the other end of the field and Gale sent Sene-Lefao on a rampaging 20-metre run to the line for their opening try.

Two minutes later, another impressive forward charge - this time from Mike McMeeken - saw the second rower go on a 40-metre midfield run before sending the supporting Hardaker racing clear to score.

Gale added both conversions to turn the game on its head as the Tigers led 12-6.

And it got even better for Powell's men when quick hands by Gale and Hardaker got Eden over in the corner for Castleford's third quickfire try.

A shell-shocked Wolves conceded again straight from the restart when Hardaker brushed through some poor defensive efforts and sprinted 70 metres before sending Gale clear to score - and the scrum-half kicked his third goal of the half to make it 22-6.

The Wolves managed to stem the tide and gave themselves a lifeline three minutes from the break when Lineman managed to power over from close range and reduce the deficit to 12 points at half-time.

That deficit was cut to six points midway through the second half when Brown's long pass saw Lineham claim his second try of the night with a spectacular dive in the corner and Patton landed a superb touchline conversion.

But the Tigers hit back almost immediately when a mazy run by Rangi Chase saw the visitors keep the ball alive and winger Minikin beat four men as he crossed in the corner to make it 26-16.

The Wolves were fighting hard though and set up an exciting finale when Savellio claimed his second try which Livett converted to cut the lead back to six points at 26-20.

But Cas held their nerve and Eden sealed the victory with his second try of the night five minutes from time.

Match Reaction

Castleford coach Daryl Powell on a flurry of tries:  " "That was as good a period of attacking rugby league you are likely to see.

"It was a superb purple patch which got us a lot of points after a real sticky start to the game by us.

"But we found our straps and our attacking play was outstanding for that period and it put us in a great position in the game.

"The second half was a bit of an arm wrestle and Warrington found a way back into the game so it was good to manage the period when we was under pressure and then finish the job." 

Powell on how his team defended: "You have got to be able to defend your line and we did that consistently and did it well. We scrambled for each other against a really good side.

"I'm delighted to win and it sets a marker down because I know there is a lot of improvement in this team.

"We've got quality players in this squad and we face another big challenge against Leeds next week which gives us another opportunity to get after another team."

Warrington coach Tony Smith:  "We couldn't cope with the speed of the play the ball and they blew our legs off in the first half and conceding back-to-back tries really hurts you.

"A few of our boys were off their best from their performance last week (against Brisbane) and you can't afford to be when your opposition has some attack in them.

"The players showed character to get back to a point that with a bit more fortune we could pinch the game. But to concede 30 points is not pleasing in our dressing room.

"There was some good rugby league played and it ended up being a contest but across the board it was not the performance we wanted or needed."