A late breakaway try from Matty Ashton secured Warrington’s seventh consecutive Super League victory and sent them top after a dramatic encounter with Castleford.
Castleford made the better start and Daryl Powell’s side were in front with a try from Gareth O’Brien. Wire defended resolutely despite an onslaught of Cas attacks and somehow went in level at the break when Josh Charnley knocked down Blake Austin’s kick to Anthony Gelling, who scored. Stefan Ratchford’s terrific touchline kick levelled the scores at 6-6, but it was the Yorkshiremen who drew first blood in the second half, Derrell Olpherts controversially touching down in the corner. There was no conversion, though, and this proved to be a key moment. Blake Austin had a try disallowed but Wire were not to be disallowed and in the last minute of the game, took the win with a sensational breakaway try that saw Declan Patton free Ben Currie. Currie raced through a gap before sending a fine ball to Matty Ashton, who outpaced the Tigers defenders and sealed the deal. Ratchford converted with ease to make it seven on the spin. Here are my six major talking points...
1) The mentalmen
This was an incredible show of mentality from Wire. It wasn't a pretty performance - far from it - but isn't that to be expected with so many missing? Daryl Clark was added to the list of absentees with the imminent birth of his child and Danny Walker had to step in. The youngster did an excellent job in defence and it was the defensive side of the game that won Wire the game - repelling Castleford time after time with outstanding goal-line organisation and effort. To be trailing for so long, missing so many players and still having the quality and balls of steel to steal that win late on... magnificent.
2) I’m on the Dec
I've got to hold my hands up, I wasn't feeling too confident in Barrie McDermott's assertion that Declan Patton, coming from the interchange bench, could be the game-changer. However, I was wrong. It was his wonderful delayed pass that sent Currie through a gap, allowing Ashton the space to score the winning try. With Gareth Widdop likely to be back next week and persistent rumours about his future, I'm not sure we'll see Patton play for the club, but if that was his last contribution, then fair play.
3) Ball handling
Oh, Tom. I don't want to crucify him yet as the camera angles can be deceiving but it doesn't look good, does it? Just a few weeks after Tommy Makinson copped himself a five-game ban at St Helens for an identical incident, Lineham goes and does that. A real shame as he's been having an excellent season and is well in the golden boot run. With his disciplinary record, he could be looking at longer than five games out. I expect Matty Ashton will get a run on the wing.
4) Video killed the referee star
Speaking of bollocks, it's about time that the on-field call was scrapped. I've been saying it for a while now but it really is pointless having a video referee if they are duty-bound to go with the referee's on-field decision. The commentators even agreed tonight that Derrell Olpherts' try wouldn't have been allowed by the video ref had it been sent up as no try. Surely that emphasises the major flaw we have here? Stop the on-field call and allow the video refs to make an unbiased verdict.
5) Props to you, Mike
What a player Mike Cooper is. 72 minutes last week and the full 80 this time around. Yet another absolutely majestic performance from the prop - one of the very best in the league. Two weeks in a row he has absolutely carried the forward pack on his own. There were several occasions tonight where he carried the ball multiple times during the set. Hero.
6) The magnificent seven
SEVEN wins on the spin now for Wire. That includes two narrow wins over Castleford win now, but on this run Wire have shown they can win in different ways and against different types of opponents. I never thought this would've been possible after the Headingley debacle in late February. Next up: the Challenge Cup defence begins against St Helens.
Player Ratings
Matty Ashton - 7/10
A wonderful moment for him to win the match at the end. Had a nervy game overall.
Tom Lineham - 6/10
Was defensively excellent but let himself down with a moment of madness.
Jake Mamo - 7/10
Elusive and quick, Castleford struggled to handle Mamo all night. Sin-binned for a professional foul.
Anthony Gelling - 6/10
In the right place to score a try - a couple of careless errors, though.
Josh Charnley - 7/10
Great work to assist the Gelling try and worked hard in defence all night. Daft penalty conceded late on.
Blake Austin - 7/10
Guided the team around the field well and was unlucky not to have a try. Kicking game was iffy.
Stefan Ratchford - 8/10
Pinpoint touchline conversion to level the game and was reliable as ever.
Leilani Latu - 5/10
A couple of errors from Latu tonight. Not a great showing.
Danny Walker - 8/10
Very impressed with Walker's work-rate and distribution tonight. Filled the Clark role nicely.
Mike Cooper - 9/10
Wire's star man again. What a player.
Ben Currie - 8/10
Did well in defence all night and was heavily involved in the game-winning moment.
Toby King - 7/10
Was constantly looking for runners that weren't forthcoming. He'll be back in the centres next week.
Ben Murdoch-Masila - 5/10
Very average night from Murdoch-Masila at 13 - some silly mistakes.
Ellis Robson - 8/10
Looks a really tidy player. Carried the ball well. Shame he's been let go.
Luis Johnson - 7/10
Unlucky not to have a try. Ran well with the ball in hand.
Eribe Doro - 6/10
A decent first hit for the latest debutant.
Declan Patton - 8/10
Came up with the match-winning play in his blink-and-you'll-miss-it stint.
@ALooseWire
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