Our total recall of Warrington Wolves’ 2011 season continues with a surprise home defeat…

Engage Super League round eight, Sunday, April 3, 2011

Warrington Wolves…20 Catalan Dragons…22

TYPICAL of some home clashes with Catalan Dragons in their short history, Wolves failed to lift themselves and paid the price of two valuable points on Sunday.

It was the last thing anyone expected, especially after the way Wolves had disarmed champions Wigan on their home turf nine days earlier.

With each game only worth two points in the league table, Wolves have ended up no better off than if they had lost at Wigan and then won what was on paper a far easier home game.

But matches are not won on paper. Matches are only won if a team’s players turn up.

Picture by Mike Boden

Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington’s were not at the races on Sunday – that was clear in the lack of intensity, some shoddy defending at times and far less fluency in attack than fans have become accustomed too.

Perhaps this was one physical challenge too far after a wonderful six-match winning run that equated to the team’s best start to a season since 1980.

Perhaps their rhythm was distracted by five positional changes in the starting line-up. Perhaps there was not enough aggression in the pack with all three of Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison and Louis Anderson missing.

All is not lost – it is only one game after all, but it can only be hoped that Wolves do not rue two lost points at the end of round 27 when the final reckoning is done.

The defeat certainly acts as a reminder that consistency is the key to success, not producing championship stuff one week and dropping off the boil the next.

Picture by Mike Boden

Picture by Mike Boden

On a positive note, despite how badly they played, Wolves were still in with a chance of snatching victory with the final play of the game.

So there is nothing wrong with the courage, character and spirit.

And while Joel Monaghan, four tries in two games, and Richie Myler, one try in each of the last seven games, are in such scoring form the team is always going to be in with a shout.

Picture by Mike Boden

Picture by Mike Boden

INTERESTING NOTES:

Richie Myler continued his fine scoring form, crossing for his seventh try in consecutive games, equalling Wolves' Super League record.

The end of Wolves' six-match winning run.

Joel Monaghan's two tries took him to seven for the season, making him Wolves' joint top try scorer with Richie Myler.

Brett Hodgson's two goals keeps him top of Super League's goal kicking table with 34.

Wolves' first home loss of the season.

TEAMS:

Wolves: Brett Hodgson (2g); Joel Monaghan (2t), Chris Bridge, Rhys Evans, Chris Riley (1t); Lee Briers, Richie Myler (1t); Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Simon Grix, Matty Blythe, Jon Clarke. Subs: Paul Wood, Mickey Higham, David Solomona, Mike Cooper.

Dragons: Clint Greenshields; Frederic Vaccari (1t), Jean-Philippe Baile, Daryl Millard, Cyril Stacul (1t); Ben Farrar, Scott Dureau (1t, 3g); David Ferriol (1t), Ian Henderson, Remi Casty, Steve Menzies, Sebastien Raguin, Greg Mounis. Subs: Michael Simon, Sebastien Martins, Jason Baitieri, Eloi Peilssier.

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 10,056