ALTHOUGH Michael Monaghan did not play, boss Tony Smith highlighted his contribution to Wolves’ remarkable success at Castleford Tigers.

Nursing an injury on the sidelines, the former Manly Grand Final hooker was in the ear of those who were tasked with helping to keep Warrington’s League Leaders’ Shield hopes alive.

“Michael was talking to both our hookers and identifying some issues and areas they could probably exploit and they both did,” said Smith.

“So Michael having an influence on those two is fantastic and it’s great when you can contribute in the squad – you don’t have to be on the field and we’ve got some great characters like that.”

Although Wolves’ players showed more character than a Disney theme park, the impact of starting number nine Micky Higham and the interchanging Brad Dwyer was seen when Wolves trailed 24-6 following a Castleford purple patch inspired by England half back Rangi Chase.

Dwyer, such an elusive darter out of dummy half, joined Chris Bridge and Ben Westwood in setting up the position for Warrington’s own England number seven Richie Myler to put Garreth Carvell over for the try that gave Wolves a lifeline at the break.

And it was Dwyer who rewarded the team’s mounting pressure at the start of the second period, wrestling his way through three defenders on the line to touch down with a reverse stretch.

Dwyer then fired away from a run-around with Westwood to earn a penalty, for off-side, from which Myler charged home from a short Lee Briers pass to put Wolves level again.

“I did like the little cameo appearance by young Brad,” said Smith.

“He sparked and took advantage of the team having some ball and took them on. He loves the attacking side of the game and his defence is getting a whole lot better too. He asks questions of defences and won’t die wondering.”

With Dwyer’s work done, Higham returned and moments later surged over with a burst from acting half back to give Wolves a 30-24 lead.

Although stubborn Cas levelled matters, Higham was in the right place to capitalise on offloads by Paul Wood and Myler to hand Wolves a lead they never lost again.

 

 

Castleford were also the previous team to score 30 points or more in a home defeat to Warrington. They fell 34-31 to Wolves in 2008.

Club captain Adrian Morley made his 500th career appearance against Castleford Tigers on Sunday, having played 149 games for Leeds Rhinos, 114 games for Sydney Roosters, six for Bradford Bulls, one for Swinton Lions and 167 for Warrington Wolves. He has also made 37 appearances for Great Britain and 25 appearances for England since 1996.

 

 

Super League Round 23

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Castleford Tigers...30 Warrington Wolves...40

Tigers: Jordan Tansey; Kirk Dixon, Michael Shenton, Michael Channing, Justin Carney; Rangi Chase, Jamie Ellis; Ryan Boyle, Adam Milner, Craig Huby, Grant Millington, Weller Hauraki, Nathan Massey. Subs: Daryl Clarke, Dan Fleming, Charlie Martin, Keith Mason.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Simon Grix, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Richie Myler; Paul Wood, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Ben Westwood, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Harrison. Subs: Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell, Brad Dwyer, James Laithwaite.

Scoring: Briers try, 13mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; Carney try, 20mins, Dixon goal, 6-6; Hauraki try, Dixon goal, 25mins; Milner try, 29mins, Dixon goal, 18-6; Dixon try, 32mins, Dixon goal, 24-6; Carvell try, 40mins, Ratchford goal, 24-12; Dwyer try, 48mins, Ratchford goal, 24-18; Myler try, 51mins, Ratchford goal, 24-24; Higham try, 53mins, Ratchford goal, 24-30; Huby try, 65mins, Dixon goal, 30-30; Higham try, 69mins, Ratchford goal, 30-36; Monaghan try, 72mins, 30-40.

Penalties: Tigers 7 Wolves 10

Referee: Robert Hicks

Attendance: 5,980

Top Man: Paul Wood