A DAY that started with Wolves celebrating the past ended with a glimpse into the future.

As the club rightly celebrated Ben Westwood’s 400th game in primrose and blue, his teammates rose to the occasion. None more so than Declan Patton.

One try, three assists and eight conversions, the home-grown youngster scored 20 of The Wire’s 52 points as they further enhanced their chances of survival.

It was far from perfect, particularly in a scrappy second half, but the game was won by Wolves’ sparkling display before the break.

Every time they entered enemy territory, they looked like posting points and some of the tries they scored were truly exquisite.

Stefan Ratchford was the beneficiary of some sublime skill for both of his tries, first latching onto Peta Hiku’s outrageous offload before being alert to Patton’s reverse chip that left everyone else fooled.

Another delicate touch from Patton’s cultured right boot set up Ryan Atkins before the half-back finished off a Tom Lineham break himself.

Matty Russell also got on the scoresheet, injuring his back in the process. Remi Casty’s response aside, it was near enough the perfect half from Wolves.

Catalans walked off the field looking like a side that could not wait for the plane home, but whatever Steve McNamara said to his players during the interval clearly struck a chord.

The game descended into a bit more of a dogfight, suiting the physically imposing Dragons down to the ground.

They were aided by some sloppy Wolves defending, particularly on the usually sound left edge, as Krisnan Inu, twice, and Lewis Tierney ensured the damage to their points difference was tempered.

However, Wolves continued on their merry way and duly posted their largest points total of the season.

Patton set up Atkins for a carbon copy of his first try before Kevin Brown took over the role of tormentor-in-chief, sending a well-judged kick into the corner for Hiku to chase and score.

Lineham got a clinical double of his own, racing 90 metres after picking off a pass from the off-colour Richie Myler before rounding off the scoring by diving over in the corner.

As Wolves continue to finish strongly, one cannot help but feel reflective.

If they had played with this kind of swagger and thrust earlier in the season, surely they would not be in this mess?

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Ben Westwood becomes the second player, after Lee Briers, to play 400 games for Warrington entirely in the Super League era.

. Wolves notch their highest points total of the season.

. 30 is the highest number of points The Wire have scored in a single half in 2017.

. Warrington record their eighth home win over Catalans in a row.

MATCH FACTS:

Middle 8s, Round Two.

Saturday, August 12, 2017.

Warrington Wolves…52 Catalans Dragons…24 Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Matty Russell, Peta Hiku, Ryan Atkins, Tom Lineham; Declan Patton, Kevin Brown; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Jack Hughes, Benjamin Jullien, Ben Westwood. Subs: Joe Philbin, Andre Savelio, George King, Morgan Smith.

Dragons: Lewis Tierney; Krisnan Inu, Ben Garcia, Brayden Wiliame, Vincent Duport; Luke Walsh, Richie Myler; Sam Moa, Paul Aiton, Remi Casty, Justin Horo, Louis Anderson, Greg Bird. Subs: Fouad Yaha, Julian Bousquet, Jason Baitieri, Thibaud Margalet.

Scoring: Ratchford try, 2mins, Patton goal, 6-0; Russell try, 9mins, Patton goal, 12-0; Patton try, 14mins, Patton goal, 18-0; Casty try, 20mins, Walsh goal, 18-6; Atkins try, 28mins, Patton goal, 24-6; Ratchford try, 34mins, Patton goal, 30-6; Inu try, 45mins, Walsh goal, 30-12; Atkins try, 50mins, Patton goal, 36-12; Tierney try, 55mins, Walsh goal, 36-18; Lineham try, 61mins, Patton goal, 42-18; Hiku try, 64mins, Patton goal, 48-18; Inu try, 69mins, Walsh goal, 48-24; Lineham try, 78mins, 52-24.

Penalties: Wolves 7 Dragons 10.

Referee: Robert Hicks.

Attendance: 8,595.

Guardian man of the match: Declan Patton.