Warrington (12) 30 |
Tries: Gelling, Ashton, Davis, Austin, Walker Goals: Widdop 5 |
Catalans (12) 16 |
Tries: Davies, Langi, Yaha Goals: Maloney 2 |
Warrington won their ninth game in a row to go top of the Super League by beating Catalans Dragons, who only just made it after their plane was diverted.
Gareth Widdop scored on his Warrington return but Tom Davies and Samisoni Langi crossed as Catalans fought back.
Matty Ashton levelled before the break while Matt Davis sent them ahead after the restart.
Blake Austin and Fouad Yaha exchanged tries but Danny Walker wrapped up victory for the Wire late on.
Catalans raced against time to make it to the Halliwell Jones Stadium in time for kick-off after flight disruption.
The team had been due to board a charter flight from Perpignan but high winds in the Mediterranean forced the plane to divert to Toulouse, two-and-a-half hours away.
The players made their own way to the airport and eventually landed in Liverpool just under two hours before kick-off.
The win continues Warrington’s fine form to reach the league summit, while Catalans sit fifth in the table.
England and Great Britain half-back Widdop returned from a three-match absence, replacing Stefan Ratchford, and hit the ground running with his early score.
Warrington Wolves: Charnley, Hill, Widdop, Currie, Gelling, King, Hughes, D Clark, Mamo, Austin, J Clark, Cooper, Ashton.
Interchanges: Philbin, Murdoch-Masila, Davis, Walker.
Catalans Dragons: J Tomkins, Folau, S Tomkins, McIlorum, Maloney, Garcia, Yaha, Casty, Whitley, Moa, Drinkwater, Davies, Langi.
Interchanges: Baitieri, Seguier, Goudemand, Belmas.
Referee: R. Hicks.