Betfred Super League
Warrington (6) 18
Tries: Ashton, Hopoate, Bentley Goals: Irwin 3
Catalans (10) 16
Tries: Lipowicz, Cotric, Dodd Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 2
Warrington overcame injury problems to move level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the top of Super League with a gutsy win over Catalans.
The Wolves, who lost Arron Lindop and Josh Thewlis to injury, had to play the entire second half at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with a reshuffled backline, but they dug deep to hold out against the big French side.
Stand-in full-back Ewan Irwin, who crucially kicked three conversions out of three, was the hero, with the 18-year-old producing a brilliant try-saving tackle on Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet late on to clinch the win.
It was an important bounce-back victory for head coach Sam Burgess’s side after last week’s heavy defeat by the Rhinos.
Warrington dominated the opening 20 minutes and man of the match Matty Ashton gave them a deserved lead with a well-worked try, but the first half hydration break changed the momentum of the game.
Within two minutes of play restarting, the Dragons were on level terms through a try by Zac Lipowicz after an aerial kick from Toby Sexton had caused confusion in the Warrington ranks.
Six minutes from the interval, the visitors took the lead through a try from Nick Cotric created by a lovely pass from Lewis Dodd, which cut out three Wolves defenders.
With Lindop, who had only just returned from a long-term knee injury, going off with another serious-looking knee problem sustained in a tackle by Aispuro-Bichet which saw the Catalans centre put on report, and then Thewlis unable to come out for the second half because of a hip problem, Warrington were up against it.
But their response was outstanding, with a terrific muscular finish from Albert Hopoate edging them ahead 12-10.
James Bentley stretched the home side’s lead from Ashton’s inside pass with 16 minutes left, and Irwin goaled superbly from wide out to put Warrington two scores clear.
Dodd pulled a try back for Catalans with 10 minutes left and Aispuro-Bichet looked like he would win it for the French side, but Irwin – moved from half-back because of the disruption – had the final say.