Warrington Wolves edge Catalans Dragons despite injuries, level with Leeds Rhinos
Wolves secure victory amid injury challenges
The Warrington Wolves secured an 18-16 victory over Catalans Dragons at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, moving them level on points with table-toppers Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. This win marked a return to winning ways for Sam Burgess‘s side, following a 34-6 defeat to the Rhinos in the previous week.
The match saw the Wolves overcome a 10-6 half-time deficit. Despite facing significant injury challenges during the game, the team managed to secure the narrow win. The victory brings Warrington to 24 points, matching Leeds Rhinos in the standings.
The home side’s scoring began in the 15th minute when Matty Ashton collected a pass from Ben Currie to score a try, with Ewan Irwin adding the conversion. However, the Dragons quickly responded, with Zac Lipowicz crossing the line and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet converting. Nick Cotric then put the Dragons ahead after a setup from Lewis Dodd.
In the second half, Albert Hopoate powered over for a try seven minutes in, and Irwin’s conversion restored Warrington’s lead. The Wolves extended their advantage when James Bentley scored in the corner. The Dragons, however, continued to challenge, with a try from Lewis Dodd and a conversion from Aispuro-Bichet off the post, setting up a tense finish.
A crucial moment in the closing stages involved stand-in full-back Ewan Irwin, who made a try-saving tackle to prevent Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet from snatching victory for the Dragons. The Dragons’ captain, Benjamin Garcia, was later sin-binned for dissent, further impacting their chances. Catalans Dragons currently sit eighth in the table with 16 points from an equal number of matches, missing an opportunity to boost their play-off hopes.
Injury concerns for Warrington
The victory came at a cost for the Wolves, as several key players sustained injuries during the match. Arron Lindop was forced off the field with a knee problem just 26 minutes into his second game back from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. He had only recently returned to action after a year on the sidelines, making his comeback against Leeds Rhinos in Round 15.
Josh Thewlis also left the game at half-time due to an ankle injury. He had taken a heavy blow just before the half-time hooter and did not return for the second period. Following Thewlis’s withdrawal, Ewan Irwin shifted to full-back, Danny Walker moved into the halves, and Sam Powell was introduced from the interchange bench at hooker.
Additionally, Jordy Crowther was observed limping from the field during the second half. These injuries add to Warrington’s existing list of sidelined players, which includes Toby King, who is recovering from a syndesmosis injury and was seen on the pitch at half-time in casual clothing.
The incident involving Lindop was placed on report by referee Marcus Griffiths, which allowed Warrington to activate their 18th man. This led to Adam Holroyd making his first appearance of the season. Holroyd, who had been recovering from a long-term shoulder injury, entered the action just before the break, replacing James Harrison when the scores were level at 6-6.
Player performances and fan reactions
Despite the injury setbacks, several Warrington players delivered notable performances. Matty Ashton, who scored the opening try, also provided a crucial second-half assist for James Bentley. Albert Hopoate’s try seven minutes into the second half was described as well-taken, contributing to the hosts gaining momentum.
Ewan Irwin, despite a quiet first half, became heavily involved after shifting to full-back, with his late try-saver on Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet being a highlight. He successfully converted two of his three attempts. Ben Currie was highlighted as a standout performer, making crucial passes that led to tries and contributing significantly in defence throughout the 80 minutes.
Max Wood, who was recalled early from a loan spell at Hull FC, received a notable cheer during the team announcement. He took his opportunity well, adding impact from the interchange bench and making a long-range break in the second half. Kelepi Tanginoa also made a strong defensive effort after being introduced 25 minutes into the game.
However, the first half also saw some frustration from sections of the Warrington South Stand, with boos heard at half-time as the hosts trailed 10-6. This reaction followed a decision by Warrington to kick a penalty goal with just over two minutes remaining in the first half, a move that some supporters found frustrating given the team’s possession and field position at the time. The team’s improved second-half performance ultimately secured the victory.
Read Also
Source: skysports.com
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
