Super League: Comeback Warrington beat Castleford 40-30

Joel Monaghan: Notched late try in Warrington's win

After their shock Challenge Cup semi-final defeat against Hull FC, Warrington found themselves facing another loss after falling 24-6 down in the first half, but they showed their class by bouncing back to turn the game around after the interval.

Three tries in six minutes early in the second period put the Wolves in front and although battling Castleford levelled at 30-30 with 15 minutes remaining, late scores by Mick Higham - his second of the game - and Joel Monaghan gave Wolves the win.

Stefan Ratchford chipped in with six goals in a victory that kept Warrington one point behind leaders Huddersfield with four league games left.

Meaningful attack

The Wolves went ahead against the run of play from their first meaningful attack when Lee Briers caught the home defence flat-footed by darting over from close range for a 13th minute try that Ratchford converted.

The Tigers quickly turned the game on its head, though, by scoring four tries in 11 minutes. They levelled in the 20th minute with a superbly-worked try when slick handling put in Justin Carney at the corner.

Castleford then took the lead when Ratchford collected Jamie Ellis's high kick but lost the ball as he was tackled and Weller Hauraki scooped it up to score.

Ryan Boyle's magnificent off-load then created the opening for Jordan Tansey to send in Adam Milner, before the Wolves fell further behind when Rangi Chase fooled their defence to set up a touchdown for Kirk Dixon, who added his fourth conversion to put the Tigers 24-6 up.

Warrington saw little of the ball in the first half but they got themselves back into game when substitute Garreth Carvell scored from close range and Ratchford converted to cut the gap to 12 points.

Chase was wide with a drop goal attempt on the stroke of half-time but the Tigers were full value for their 12-point lead at the break after cutting Warrington's defence to ribbons during that stunning first-half scoring burst.

More determined

The Wolves looked far more determined in the second period and soon levelled the scores. Substitute Brad Dwyer plunged over from close range before Briers made the opening for half-back partner Richie Myler to cross.

Warrington then regained their lead with their third try in six minutes when Higham shot over from acting half and Ratchford added his fifth goal to put them 30-24 ahead.

Castleford squared matters again in the 65th minute when Craig Huby capitalised on Daryl Clark's grubber kick to grab a try that Dixon goaled.

But Wolves struck a vital blow three minutes later when Myler put in Higham for his second try and they sealed victory when Monaghan went in at the corner.