Warrington Wolves made the long trip to the South of France to take on the Catalans Dragons knowing that a twenty-nine point win would see them leapfrog St Helens and the Castleford Tigers into top spot, and maintain their one-hundred percent record. The squad flew in on the early flight, hoping for a quick smash and grab.
A good win for the Dragons could see them to fifth but a heavy loss would see them drop to tenth.
There was an early breakthrough for the home side when Branden Wiliame went over down the left side after a Fouad Yaha stole the ball in an aerial challenge with Josh Charley. The goal was kicked by Sam Tomkins for a 6-0 start after three minutes.
On eleven, a delightful short pass from Tony Gigot allowed Kenny Edwards to reach for the line and ground one-handed as just reward for good Dragons pressure. Tomkins landed the conversion to double the lead.
Tomkins added another two points to the lead after interference from Chris Hill under his own sticks on eighteen.
Slowly edging their way back into the game Stefan Ratchford found space wide left to go forty metres and score under the tackle in the corner. Referee Hicks sent it up to the video referee as a try who agreed and put ‘TRY’ up on the screen. The Wolves full back added a touchline conversion for 6-14 with three minutes left on the clock.
Tony Gigot slotted over a drop goal with ninety seconds of the half remaining and the Dragons went into the sheds with a 15-6 lead after a second last second attempted drop goal sailed wide of the uprights.
A darting run from Daryl Clarke registered the first points of the second half after Tomkins failed to hold him in the tackle and the Wolves forward went from acting half back. Ratchford kicked a simple goal to reduce the arrears to just three points.
On fifty-seven Ryan Atkins collected a Dec Patton weighted kick to the corner to bounce off two tacklers and ground to give the Wolves the lead for the first time. Ratchford failed for the first time with the boot, the Wolves with a single point advantage.
On sixty-two the Dragons captain Remi Casty re-established the home lead after taking a Michael McIlorum short pass to go five metres to score. Tomkins kicked his fourth goal of the afternoon for 21-16, in what had become a terrific game.
A half break and brilliant pass from Chris Hill found Dec Patton in Support to take a back door pass and canter over unopposed for the Wolves fourth try. Ratchford added the goal to put his side back into a one point lead.
A long range Tomkins penalty goal sent the home supporters into delirium on seventy-five for 23-22. There was some panic football in the closing minutes but the Dragons held on for a famous win.
It was a great start from the Dragons against a Warrington side who seemed to have left something on the plane for the opening thirty minutes. As the Wolves got into their stride the game developed into a full-blooded competition. The Dragons did brilliantly to come back against a determined Wolves fightback.
Dragons: Gigot (DG), Wiliame (T), Tierney, Lange, Smith, Casty (T), McIlorum, Moa, Edwards (T), Simon, Jullien, Yaha, Tomkins (5G). Subs: Whitley, Goudemond, Maria, Baiteiri.
Wolves: Ratchford (T, 3G), Lineham, Goodwin, Atkins (T), Charley, Austin, Hill, Clark D (T), Cooper, Hughes, Patton (T), Tai, King. Subs: Murdoch-Masila, Clark J, Philbin, Mamo.
Referee: Rob Hicks.
Half-Time: 15-6.
Full-Time: 23-22.
Attendance:
