Warrington 18-24 Catalans: Mitchell Pearce scores first try as Dragons withstand comeback threat
Catalans withheld a late comeback threat from Warrington to secure a 24-18 win at Halliwell Jones Stadium, with Mitchell Pearce crossing for his first Super League try.
Oliver Holmes returned to the starting line up for Warrington, having served his ban. Ben Currie also started.
Daryl Clark made his 300th career appearance from the bench. There was also a milestone for Joe Bullock, who made his 200th appearance.
With no Sam Tomkins, Tyrone May filled it at full-back for the Dragons.
Fouad Yaha left the field during the warm up and was replaced on the wing by Romain Franco.
It was the Dragons who opened the scoring on 14 minutes. A beautifully delayed ball from Josh Drinkwater sent Matt Whitley through a gap to score for a 6-0 lead. Drinkwater converting.
Matty Ashton hit back for the hosts on 26 minutes. Toby King with a break down the left wing and his offload found Ashton in support for a 6-6 score. Stefan Ratchford converting from wide.
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HT: Warrington 6-6 Catalans
Catalans regained the lead on 46 minutes. Arthur Romano pounced on a mistake from the back and managed to reach out for the try-line with Drinkwater converting.
Mitchell Pearce scored his first try for the club to slide over for a 18-6 advantage on 56 minutes.
The Dragons further extended their lead just 10 minutes later through Mickael Goudemand and Drinkwater kept his 100% record from the boot.
Matt Davis was sent from the field with a yellow with just 10 minutes left. Whitley joined him for a professional foul with four minutes left.
Josh Charnley continued his tally with a try on 77 minutes, threatening a late comeback.
He crossed again with just 60 seconds left on the clock, with Ratchford converting both. However, the visitors held on to secure their third win of the season.
FT: Warrington 18-24 Catalans
Warrington: Ratchford, Charnley, Mata’utia, King, Ashton, Widdop, Williams, Bullock, Walker, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Hughes.
Subs: Clark, Philbin, Davis, Mulhern.
Tries: Ashton, Charnley (2)
Goals: Ratchford 3
Catalans: May, Davies, Romano, Langi, Franco, Pearce, Drinkwater, Dezaria, Da Costa, McMeeken, Whitley, Jullien, Garcia.
Subs: Seguier, Goudemand, Rouge, Kasiano.
Tries: Whitley, Romano, Pearce, Goudemand.
Goals: Drinkwater 4
Talking points
Impressive Dragons
Steve McNamara was missing some key men, including Man of Steel Sam Tomkins.
The Dragons were without nine first team players for their clash but outplayed Warrington on the night.
May looked comfortable filling in at full-back, while Drinkwater produced a spectacular pass for the night’s opening try.
Disappointing Wolves
Warrington’s attack looked much like the same as their opening game against Leeds.
Daryl Powell will have plenty to work on with his side, who looked a little untidy in attack.
No doubt they have the talent there with the likes of Williams, Ratchford and Widdop, but they will need to sharpen up for the season.
Josh Charnley scores again
Charnley impressed and was named the man of the match inside the ground. His two tries late on threatened a comeback, while centre Toby King also looked dangerous with the ball in hand.