IT is often said that more is learned in defeat than victory.

If that is the case, Wolves will have learned an awful lot from losing this game that was typical early-season fayre.

The biggest of all the lessons would have been the importance of keeping their cool in an intense atmosphere, something you could rarely accuse them of not doing last year.

There can be no doubt that, in a 15-minute spell either side of half-time, The Wire lost their heads and referee James Child eventually lost patience.

A team warning failed to buck the trend, Tom Lineham was sent to the bin for a professional foul and his ten minutes off the field was undoubtedly the point that turned the game the Dragons’ way.

Before the break, Wolves looked assured in defence and the lead given to them by a superb move finished off by Andre Savelio was deserved.

In fact, Richie Myler will still be thanking his lucky stars that, rather than taking the tackle or allowing himself to be bundled into touch after making a hash of dealing with Luke Walsh’s kick, Rhys Evans tried to offload the ball and only found the ex-Wire’s grateful hands to give him a simple stroll to the line.

Aside from that, Wolves muscled up until they incurred the ire of Child.

Tony Smith’s side gave away 13 penalties in all and you can never expect to get far when that happens.

Almost immediately after the break, the unfortunate chain of events began with Matty Russell’s knock-on, one of countless handling errors on both sides, and took in Lineham’s dismissal followed by Greg Bird’s try to give Catalans a lead they would not surrender.

The Dragons were themselves far from their best and could be accused of as many handling errors as their visitors, but they were able to keep them at arm’s length.

Rhys Evans score with barely a minute remaining raised hopes of an unlikely comeback among the more ambitious of the few hundred Wire fans that made the trip, but that was dashed as Brayden Wiliame put the icing on the cake.

In terms of positives, Savelio showed glimpses of his undoubted talent on debut while Joe Westerman was often the go-to man and did not let his coach down.

As alluded to before, this was typical early-season stuff and both sides will improve with time.

Catalans’ victory was deserved, but Wolves were the masters of their own downfall.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wolves’ first loss to Catalans in six games.

. Jack Hughes makes his 150th career appearance.

. Harvey Livett makes his senior debut.

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round One:

Saturday, February 11, 2017:

Catalans Dragons…20 Warrington Wolves…12.

Dragons: Brayden Wiliame; Jodie Broughton, Krisnan Inu, Vincent Duport, Fouad Yaha; Luke Walsh, Richie Myler; Sam Moa, Paul Aiton, Remi Casty, Benjamin Garcia, Justin Horo, Greg Bird. Subs: Julian Bousquet, Thomas Bosc, Jason Baitieri, Mickael Simon.

Wolves: Matty Russell; Rhys Evans, Toby King, Ryan Atkins, Tom Lineham; Dec Patton, Kurt Gidley; Mike Cooper, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Andre Savelio, Jack Hughes, Joe Westerman. Subs: Brad Dwyer, Dom Crosby, Harvey Livett, Joe Philbin.

Scoring: Savelio try, 9mins, Patton goal, 0-6; Myler try, 25mins, 4-6; Walsh penalty, 38mins, 6-6; Bird try, 48mins, Walsh goal, 12-6; Walsh penalty, 71mins, 14-6; Evans try, 79mins, Patton goal, 14-12; Wiliame try, 80mins, Walsh goal, 20-12.

Penalties: Dragons 13 Wolves 8.

Referee: James Child.

Attendance: 8,842.

Top man: Andre Savelio.