Takeaways from Warrington Wolves win versus Catalans Dragons

By doing so, they avoided back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, defying the 30 degrees pitchside temperatures in difficult circumstances.

Here, sports editor Mike Parsons reveals his key takeaways from the Round 15 triumph at The Halliwell Jones Stadium…

One for all and all for one

ONLY sides with a true and honest connection can win a game like this one.

With eight first-team regulars sat injured in the stand, and three more suffering a similar fate during the game, the remaining players worked their socks off for each other to get themselves over the line against a spirited Catalans outfit.

The youthful Wire side that ended this fixture bore little resemblance to the one that started the season, with teenage stand-off Ewan Irwin filling in at full-back, hooker Danny Walker covering in the halves and back-rower James Bentley helping out in the centres.

Ewan Irwin on the ball (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Loan recall Max Wood and the activated 18th man Adam Holroyd both played full parts in this gritty and gutsy success.

And they did it the hard way, coming from behind at half-time on a steamy night, and in the end were probably more convincing than the two-point scoreline difference would suggest.

It was heart-breaking to see Arron Lindop exit the action with a knee injury on his second game back from ACL recovery in the same joint, and the setbacks kept coming as Catalans got their noses in front, Josh Thewlis was lost to an ankle problem and then Jordy Crowther with a calf issue.

A devastated Arron Lindop receives medical attention after sustaining injury to his left knee against Catalans Dragons (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Jordy Crowther before he injured his calf (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

There were lots of excuses, and forgivable ones, for not getting the mission completed.

If ever there was a display of players giving their all for the badge, the fans, their families and teammates, this was it.

Restoration of faith and belief

SUCH a win could be of considerable benefit to The Wire.

After the mullering by fellow Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos the previous week, fans will have left the ground on Thursday feeling a sense of pride in the efforts given and looking ahead with a touch of optimism despite potentially up to 11 players out of action for the tough fixture schedule ahead in July.

James Harrison looks for an offload (Image: Dave Heaton)

Josh Thewlis looking for a way through the Catalans line (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

While the players can take some confidence from knowing that when they were dealt some tough cards, they stuck in there, hung around, found a way and eventually put smiles on faces.

That’s what good sides do.

James Bentley evades a last-gasp challenge to score Warrington's third try against Catalans Dragons (Image: Dave Heaton)

Albert Hopoate is congratulated on his second-half try (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Welcome back Adam

How good was it to see Adam Holroyd back on the field for The Wire?

Last season was something of a breakthrough one for the 21-year-old back-rower, establishing himself in Sam Burgess’ starting team in the wake of Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s injury problems.

But complications from pre-season shoulder surgery handed him a five-month delay in pulling the shirt on again.

He was named as 18th man for Thursday’s game, meaning he would only be called on should The Wire end up in trouble with injuries.

It is rare to end up crossing the white line in that situation, and it was more likely that Holroyd would return to action for the Reserves on Friday night.

But when Arron Lindop was helped from the field after a tackle that was placed on report, Holroyd became available to make his first appearance of the year.

To deliver for 46 minutes in that heat in the circumstances of the team disruption was exceptional and a true mark of his professionalism.

Adam Holroyd, back in action for Warrington Wolves (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

He will be better all-round for getting minutes on the field, for his own confidence in his shoulder and for returning to match fitness.

Holroyd’s a warrior with an outstanding work ethic and to have him back on board fresh and hungry at a time when others have been dropping like flies is a Godsend.

Where’s the common sense?

IN the way matches are officiated, sometimes you just want to see some common sense applied to the decision making.

I was all in favour of the water hydration breaks for players halfway through each period – their welfare in such tropical conditions has to be paramount.

Players from Warrington and Catalans take a hydration break (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

But I thought it was ridiculous in the second half that referee Marcus Griffiths didn’t call the break at the 59mins 15secs mark when there was a natural stoppage from Leon Hayes’ kick running dead.

Instead, he allowed Catalans to attempt to complete their seven-tackle set to go past the 60-minute mark.

But Matty Ashton picked up on a loose pass and if he hadn’t stumbled would have gone the length of the field.

With The Wire winger set to play the ball with the Catalans defence in scramble mode, Griffiths then signalled the water break.

That could have been a crucial moment for Sam Burgess’ boys to make the most of the momentum they had.

Thankfully it had no impact on the final result but it leaves you wondering if common sense will be applied to all manner of judgement calls in the future.