Castleford 35-22 Warrington: Tigers strengthen play-off hopes

Castleford strengthened their position in the Super League play-off spots with a 35-22 win over Daryl Powell’s Warrington at the Jungle. 

Fresh from signing a contract extension earlier this week, Greg Eden set Derrell Olpherts up for two tries inside the first 10 minutes.

Danny Richardson extended Castleford’s lead midway through the first half before Tigers full-back Niall Evalds scored from a fine solo effort late on in the half.

Richardson slotted a drop goal just before the break to send Lee Radford’s side into the sheds with a healthy 23-0 lead.

HT: Castleford Tigers 23-0 Warrington Wolves

Evalds didn’t return in the second half after picking up an injury in the first 40. He was replaced by exciting young Fijian Jason Qareqare.

And it didn’t take long for Qareqare to make his mark on the game as he wrestled his way over in the 47th minute.

Warrington scored their first try of the game in the 54th minute when Ben Currie latched onto a grubber from George Williams.

The Wolves staged a fightback and got another when Williams assisted the supporting Matty Ashton.

Castleford were dealt a blow on the hour when Cheyse Blair was sent off for leading with the elbow in a tackle on Josh Thewlis.

Warrington capitalised on having the extra man, with former Tiger Daryl Clark touching down at his old stomping ground. Stefan Ratchford’s converted and they were only 27-16 behind with 15 minutes left.

The Tigers breathed a sigh of relief in the 68th minute when Alex Sutcliffe went over. Richardson’s conversion put the Tigers 33-16 in front.

Former Castleford favourite Oliver Holmes pulled one back for Warrington late on but the damage was already done by that point.

A penalty goal from Richardson in the dying embers sealed a 35-22 victory for Radford’s side.

FT: Castleford Tigers 35-22 Warrington Wolves

Castleford: Evalds; Olpherts, Blair, Fonua, Faraimo; Eden, Richardson; Griffin, McShane, Lawler, Edwards, Mellor, Westerman. Subs: Sutcliffe, Smith, Matagi, Qareqare.

Tries: Olpherts (2), Richardson, Evalds, Qareqare, Sutcliffe Goals: Richardson 5 Drop Goals: Richardson 1

Warrington: Ratchford; Thewlis, Mata’utia, Wardle, Ashton; Williams, Dean; Mulhern, D Clark, Harrison, Currie, Nicholson, Holmes. Subs: Mikaele, Bullock, J Clark, Wrench.

Tries: Currie, Ashton, D Clark, Holmes Goals: Ratchford 3