Warrington Wolves boost play-off hopes, duo show their class, Castleford Tigers injuries – Five takeaways

Drew Darbyshire 02 Sep 2023 5:46 PM

George Williams Warrington Wolves Alamy — George Williams in action for Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves strengthened their hopes of securing a spot in the play-offs by running in 11 tries to pick up an impressive 66-12 win over Castleford Tigers.

Here are our five takeaways from the televised Round 24 clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium…

Warrington boost play-off hopes

It was a clinical and ruthless display from Warrington, who won their first game at home in three months.

The Wire ran in 11 tries, and could have had a couple of more tries on another day.

There were a number of big performers for the Wire, with half-back George Williams and full-back Matt Dufty striking up a lethal combination as well as some big displays in the pack from Paul Vaughan, James Harrison and Jordan Crowther.

Warrington’s win sees them sit fifth in the Super League table, two points behind fourth-placed Leigh and above sixth-placed Hull KR on points difference.

Duo show their class

Every Warrington player stood up well and had a good game – but Williams and Dufty probably stood out above anyone else on the park.

Dufty scored two tries as he scooped the Sky Sports man of the match award, whilst Williams bagged a brace to hit 100 career tries.

The pair were almost telepathic at times and their support play for one another was second to none.

If the Wolves are going to really compete with the teams at the top of the table from now until the play-offs, then Williams and Dufty will be key to that.

Castleford dealt triple injury blow

Castleford suffered a triple injury blow in the first half, leaving them with just one available player on the bench for the rest of the game.

Young prop Sam Hall opened the scoring for the Tigers in the fourth minute but left the action for a head injury assessment 10 minutes later, which he failed, so was unable to return.

And the Tigers suffered a second failed HIA, with forward George Lawler leaving the action midway through the first half at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The return to play concussion protocol means Hall and Lawler will both miss next Friday’s match against Hull FC at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Castleford’s third injury blow came to new recruit Charbel Tasipale in the latter stages of the first 40, with Sky Sports reporter Jenna Brooks saying that the Lebanon international would sit out the rest of the match with a hamstring injury.

A game of milestones

Players on both teams celebrated personal accolades in the Round 24 clash at the HJ.

Warrington skipper Stefan Ratchford surpassed 1,500 points for the club after kicking 11 goals in their win over Castleford.

England star Williams hit 100 career tries with his brace against the Tigers, with his team-mate Ben Currie going over for his 100th career try.

And whilst it wasn’t the result he’d have been hoping for, Castleford speedster Greg Eden scored on his 200th career appearance.

Going down to the wire

Warrington and Castleford have three games left of the regular season and every game is important to both teams for different reasons.

The Wolves, who have Hull KR, Salford and Leeds chasing their tails, need to keep winning to cement their place in the end of season play-offs, whilst Castleford will be doing everything they can to make sure they stay above bottom club Wakefield and secure their Super League status for 2024.