BEN Currie jokingly admitted to plotting a plan after being caught by Ryan Atkins at the top of Warrington Wolves’ 2016 try-scoring chart.

It was Currie’s inside pass that sent centre Atkins away for his second try in Thursday’s win against Salford Red Devils, leaving them all square on 14 touch downs in all competitions this year.

“I need to stop passing to him now,” said back rower Currie with a huge grin on his face.

“That’s another one I’ve given him, so that’s it - he will get no more passes for the rest of the year.”

Recalled Tom Lineham is hot on their heels with 13 and Kevin Penny is only one further behind.

Currie was Wolves’ top try scorer last year with 19, while Atkins has now matched his own 2015 total.

There is banter between the players about scoring rates.

Currie, 21, said: “We have a little laugh about it, along with Kevin Penny and Chris Sandow.

“We’re all there or thereabouts. I’m happy as a second row to have got where I’ve got so far.”

Unlike the Warrington summer weather, Currie’s going through something of a scoring drought having failed to notch in the past five games.

Although an ever-present starter in Tony Smith’s side this year, he was replaced by Toby King for the final 30 minutes last time out.

Currie said: “I’ve had a few knocks. I’ve played pretty much every minute and Tony took the chance to take me off with 30 minutes to go. I wasn’t happy at the time but it was good to get a rest.”

Playing with injuries has been a theme of the season so far for members of the Wolves squad.

“There’s quite a few playing busted,” he said.

“Injuries happen, it’s part of the game, you’ve got to get through it. Every team’s suffering the same so it’s nothing to make a big deal about.”

Stand off Kurt Gidley has been sidelined for two games with an injury and it handed a fellow 21-year-old, in the shape of former Latchford Albion junior Dec Patton, the opportunity to make his mark against Salford.

The half back landed five conversions from as many attempts as well as crossing for his first try of the season.

Currie said: “There was a lot of pressure on the young lad’s shoulders and he performed really well.

“And he’s a really good goal kicker. It’s definitely a bonus if you’re losing a good goal kicker in Gidley and then you’ve got Dec replacing him and slotting them from either touchline “Good on him and it puts him in good stead for the future.”

Chris Sandow’s tactical kicking was a feature of the success against Salford too, with the two 40-20s in the second period helping to turn the game.

Currie said: “We know he’s got that in him and two in one game is outstanding. It relieves so much pressure on the team and took it out of Salford.

“When you’ve just defended a set and then you’ve got to defend another one on your goal-line it’s a really tough job to do.”

Currie accepts the display against Salford was still not of the standard the players are striving for.

“It seems to have been a couple of weeks coming with getting the attack as good as we want,” he said.

“It still wasn’t picture perfect but we got the tries and it’s good to get a comfortable win for once.

“The fans love to cheer the tries, so the more the better for them.”

Next up, this Sunday, is a trip to face Castleford Tigers for a third time this season.

The Wire were convincing 56-12 victors when the sides met at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on March 18 but they let a 14-0 lead slip before falling 34-14 in the Magic Weekend encounter at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on May 21.

“The Jungle is a really tough place to go,” said Currie.

“We need to be up for it. A couple of things went right for us against Salford but there’s lots to improve on.

“It’s 1-1 at the moment against Cas this year so this is a decider between us.

“To chuck that lead away in Newcastle was heart-breaking, so we’ve got one to get back on them.”

Currie said he and his teammates are aware improvement in form is important, with the Challenge Cup semi-final clash against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and the start of the Super 8s looming.

“With the teams at the top now, someone’s got to make a good run at it,” he said.

“I think Wigan put a marker down with that win at Catalans (July 2) so we need to match them.

“Everything didn’t go all to plan against Salford but the score line really matters and puts us up there in the race still.”

Currie has further reason to be peaking his form in the final few months of the season too.

He and clubmates Daryl Clark, Chris Hill, Stefan Ratchford and Ben Westwood were among 31 Super League players recently invited to meet up with new England coach Wayne Bennett.

And Currie is eager to be a part of his squad for the Four Nations tournament in October and November.

“It was really good to meet him,” said Currie.

“It’s a big squad at the moment that’s got to be cut maybe in half so there’s no clue as to what he’s going to do.

“He wants people to step it up to get in his team at the end of the year.

“I made the squad last year and was disappointed not to play.

“It’s still my massive goal to pull on that shirt for England.”