Wolves v Dragons match report


 
 

Warrington Wolves (24) 42
T
 : Joel Monaghan 2, Anthony England, Stephan Ratchford, Chris Bridge, Micky Higham, James Laithwaite
: Chris Bridge 7

Catalans Dragons  (0) 10
T : Vincent Duport, Morgan Escaré
G : William Barthau

 

Warrington Wolves centre Joel Monaghan passed the 100-try milestone on his 100th appearance for the club as Tony Smith's side returned to winning ways with a convincing First Utility Super League victory over Catalan Dragons.

Monaghan, in his fourth year with the Wolves since his move from the NRL in 2011, hit the 100-try mark with the opening score of the game and he soon made it 101 as he claimed two first-half touchdowns in the 42-10 success.

Stand-off Chris Bridge was once again among the points as he finished with a personal haul of 18 with a try and seven goals at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington's other tries came from Stefan Ratchford, Anthony England, Micky Higham and James Laithwaite - for whom it was a first Super League try.

The Dragons could only manage consolation scores through Vincent Duport and Morgan Escare and a William Barthau conversion on another disappointing night.

Warrington welcomed back Stefan Ratchford to partner Bridge in the halves while Gene Ormsby earned a recall on the wing after Kevin Penny suffered knee ligament damage in the defeat at Bradford Bulls.

The Wolves were still without injury absentees Ben Westwood, Simon Grix, Paul Wood and Richie Myler.

Jeff Lima returned at prop for the Dragons as Olivier Elima was ruled out with a leg injury, while Barthau continued at scrum-half in the absence of experienced duo Thomas Bosc and Scott Dureau.

The start of the contest was riddled with poor handling. Wolves prop England dropped the very first pass of the match from the kick-off - and that set the tone for an opening 10 minutes which saw both sides guilty of numerous handling errors.

The Dragons came close to opening the scoring after 14 minutes with the first significant chance of the game - but winger Michael Oldfield was denied a try in the corner when Rhys Evans tackled him into touch.

The French side were made to pay for that missed opportunity three minutes later when Monaghan opened the scoring, with Bridge converting.

It got better for the home side three minutes later when they extended their lead with a scrappy try which saw Michael Monaghan's pass deflect off Catalan forward Jason Baitieri and England was on hand to pick up the loose ball and touch down for a simple try. Bridge again converted to make it 12-0.

The Wolves took a stranglehold on the game with a superb third try which saw full back Matty Russell break from deep, Ormsby carried on the move and his inside pass allowed Joel Monaghan to claim his second try of the night.

Five minutes before half-time Ratchford scored a fine individual try as he stepped through a tired Catalan defence and Bridge maintained his 100 per cent record with the boot to give Warrington a commanding 24-0 advantage.

It took the home side less than a minute after the restart to increase their lead when Ben Evans charged down Barthau's kick and Laithwaite scooped up the loose ball to send Bridge racing clear to score.

There was no respite for the Dragons as four minutes later a superb midfield break by prop Chris Hill saw the supporting Micky Higham take his pass and sprint clear to touch down, with Bridge adding both conversions.

Laithwaite claimed Warrington's seventh try of the night before Catalan finally got on the scoreboard on 65 minutes with Duport's try - which Barthau converted.

The visitors also claimed a last-minute try through Escare - but it was little consolation for the well-beaten French side.