Castleford Tigers 16

Warrington Wolves 29

WOLVES' forwards showed they learn from their lessons as they disposed of Castleford Tigers on Sunday.

There was no repeat of the disappointing May showdown at Wilderspool when Castleford's pack ran all over the top of Warrington's six.

Wolves' fiercest had sharpened their teeth for this confrontation of the play-offs hopefuls and found they liked the taste of taking the bite out of Tigers' renowned attacking flair.

The primrose and blue blockade in the steaming hot Jungle was superb and paid tribute to the club's favourite dressing room slogan that 'defence wins matches'.

The outstanding effort from one to 17 - and the incessant barmy army chanting of the delighted away day fans - was rewarded with Warrington's first win of the season against one of last year's top six sides.

It was a true team display with full-blooded commitment from every man and it had to be.

Castleford, who have to play their loop fixtures against the other five of last season's top six sides, considered the Warrington game to be 'make or break' for their play-offs hopes and they did not concede the fight lightly.

Even when they fell 20-4 behind nine minutes into the second half Graham Steadman's men did not give up the chase.

As both teams tired in the heat, Tigers pulled the scores back to 22-16 but Wolves maintained their composure when it was needed the most and secured the victory that puts them in sixth position, two points behind Hull FC, with six rounds of the season to go.

As well as their tremendous defence, Warrington's smash-and-grab three tries in four minutes either side of half-time were the turning factors.

There was a fear Wolves were not tuned in early on as unmarked Paul Mellor's catch and touch down of Mitch Healey's kick looked to be far too easy.

Kiwi Michael Smith then had a try ruled out for a forward pass and Cas were showing they meant business.

A Graham Appo penalty after he was high tackled opened Warrington's account and he landed another after he was obstructed chasing his own grubber kick. It was clear, the Australian half back frightened Tigers defenders to death every time he touched the ball.

Cas had another Smith try ruled out before Wolves struck with one of their own. Appo's neat little grubber kick was pounced upon by Paul Wood in the 38th minute.

Three minutes later acting captain Nathan Wood caught Cas out for pace down the middle when he stepped on the gas and left a wake of trailing defenders on a thrilling 40 metres burst to the line. Appo's conversion made it 14-4 for half-time.

A minute into the second half Darren Burns' cross field kick was knocked backwards by Mike Wainwright for Sid Domic to collect and walk over. Appo missed the sticks but his 49th minute penalty from 15m gave Wolves an 18-point cushion that looked as if it would be enough.

But a Dean Gaskell knock on in his own 20m area presented Cas with a golden opportunity to score and Andy Johnson crashed over from first receiver. Healey added the extras.

A fourth Appo penalty gave Wolves a 12-point safety margin but that was knocked down to six with 13 minutes to go when Wayne Godwin was sent over by Tom Saxton after his dummy half scurry.

It was 'game on' again but Wolves held their nerve as Burns carried them to Tigers' line. Appo kept the attacking move flowing with a pass off the floor and quick hands wide by Gary Hulse and Jerome Guisset gave Brent Grose a clear run-in for the match winning touch down, converted from the touchline by Appo.

N. Wood took the final sting out of the game with a drop goal that left Cas needing two converted tries and another score in four minutes, which was never going to happen against a defence as determined as Wolves' was on Sunday.

MATCH FACTS

Castleford Tigers 16

Warrington Wolves 29

SCORERS

Tigers: Tries: Mellor (4mins), Johnson (55), Godwin (67). Goals: Healey 2 from 3.

Wolves: Tries: P. Wood (38mins), N. Wood (40+), Domic (41), Grose (71). Goals: Appo 6 from 8 (4 pens). Drop goal: N. Wood 1 from 1.

SCORING RATE: Wolves first: 0-4, 2-4, 4-4, 8-4, 14-4, half-time: 18-4, 20-4, 20-10, 22-10, 22-16, 28-16, 29-16.

PENALTIES

Tigers 7 Wolves 9

SCRUMS

Tiger 5 Wolves 9

CONDITIONS: Humid, some early rain. Pitch: Firm

TOP MEN: (Points to be awarded throughout the season): Burns 3pts, P. Wood 2pts, Appo 1pt.

MATCH RATING: 7/10

ATTENDANCE: 5,940

TIGERS: Darren Rogers; Paul Mellor, Francis Maloney, Mike Eagar, Waine Pryce, Jon Hepworth, Mitch Healey, Nathan Sykes, Ryan Hudson, Andy Lynch, Michael Smith, Dale Fritz, Lee Harland. Subs used: Tom Saxton, Wayne Godwin, Craig Huby, Andy Johnson.

WOLVES: Lee Penny; Dean Gaskell, Ian Sibbit, Brent Grose, Ben Westwood; Graham Appo, Nathan Wood; Mark Hilton, Jon Clarke, Nick Fozzard, Paul Wood, Mike Wainwright, Darren Burns. Subs used: Gary Hulse, Sid Domic, Jerome Guisset, Warren Stevens.

REFEREE: Ashley Klein