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21 February 2025, 22:08 GMT
Betfred Super League
Warrington (6) 18
Tries: King, Walker, Dufty Goals: Thewlis 3
Catalans (6) 12
Tries: Laguerre 2 Goals: Mourgue 2
Warrington Wolves edged past Catalans Dragons to continue their winning start to the Super League season and consign the visitors to back-to-back defeats.
Toby King’s try put the Wire in front against the run of play after Arthur Mourgue knocked over an early penalty for Catalans, but the visitors were deservedly level at the break through Matthieu Laguerre’s powerful finish.
Danny Walker’s score restored the Wire lead, but the hosts had to work hard to protect their advantage before Matt Dufty’s try extended the lead to 18-6.
Laguerre eventually found a chink in the Warrington defence to set up a tense finale with his second score, but the hosts came through a late onslaught to build on their opening-day win over Huddersfield.
The winning start to the campaign puts Warrington in good spirits for their trip to Las Vegas for a groundbreaking Super League clash with defending champions Wigan next weekend.
SW PixWolves survive test as Littler looks on
The Wolves supporters were in celebratory mood as the Halliwell Jones Stadium was rechristened the Luke Littler Stadium for their first home match of the season.
The world darts champion was presented to the crowd before taking his seat in the crowd, yet it was Catalans, abject in defeat by Hull FC in their Super League opener, who seemed inspired.
Mourgue’s early penalty goal was their only reward for some expansive play in the opening half-hour as Dufty stopped the visitors moving further ahead by dragging the flying Tommy Makinson into touch with the try line beckoning.
Dragons were made to pay as Wire hit back with their first real threat, as good pressure forced Cesar Rouge to drop a high kick in front of his own line, giving centre King a simple second try of the season.
Warrington sensed a quick follow-up score, yet the French side struck next, Laguerre dragging three tacklers over the line to haul them level on the stroke of half-time, after Nick Cotric’s bulldozing run had been stopped just short.
The hosts had more defending to do after the break in the face of renewed Catalans pressure, and Walker’s 50th-minute score under the posts eased a few nerves, teed up by a George Williams line break.
Dufty’s second try of the season, which survived a captain’s challenge from Catalans for obstruction, looked to have killed off the Dragons’ hopes.
But having struggled to find a cutting edge all night, Cotric’s thrilling run down the left flank sparked life into the visitors, with Laguerre finally breaking through moments later.
Catalans continued to bring the Gallic flair with a late onslaught which had the home defence at full stretch, but the hosts held on.
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess told BBC Radio Merseyside:
“It was a real tough game. I thought Catalans came and played a great, tough, physical game.
“They threw things at us we hadn’t really had a look at. They offloaded the ball a lot and really challenged us, but I was very proud of my team’s effort. They never stopped trying or turning up for each other.
“I’m just happy they got the reward for it because those tight games can go either way and I’m just glad it went ours.”
Warrington: Dufty; Thewlis, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Leyland; Vaughan, Walker, Yates, Fitzgibbon, Russell, Currie.
Interchanges: Powell, Crowther, Harrison, Philbin.
Catalans: Mourgue; Makinson, Romano, Laguerre, Cotric; Keary, Rouge; Pangai Jr, Garcia, Bousquet, Sironen, Whitehead, Partington.
Interchanges: Da Costa, Dezaria, Seguier, Sims.
Referee: Liam Rush.
