WARRINGTON Wolves’ history-making eighth win in a row will long live in the memory.

The 20-14 victory, momentous in marking The Wire’s best start to a season for 34 years, bled with drama before Josh Thewlis’ second try put the nail in the Catalans Dragons coffin seven minutes from time.

Warrington Guardian: The winning score by Josh Thewlis. The winning score by Josh Thewlis. (Image: Joe Richardson/Warrington Wolves)

This contest had everything – wonderful tries and incredible rescue acts over a breathless 80 minutes of twists and turns that also included controversial refereeing decisions and a red card to boot.

It was the ultimate Easter treat for those crammed inside a packed Stade Gilbert Brutus, including a Wire Barmy Army far exceeding the 500 anticipated from advanced ticket sales.

Warrington Guardian: Delighted Wire fans at the Stade Gilbert BrutusDelighted Wire fans at the Stade Gilbert Brutus (Image: Joe Richardson/Warrington Wolves)

Most impressive was what Warrington did without the ball.

Six potential Catalans tries were prevented by brilliant feats of Wire athletism in defence, while the hosts had a second effort from centre Arthur Romano ruled out late on for offside when golden-point added time was looking possible.

Josh Drinkwater brought down back-rower Paul Seguier with the try-line begging as Catalans got on top quickly, debutant Josh McGuire dragged hooker Alrix Da Costa back from over the try line early doors, Thewlis just did enough in an aerial battle with flying winger Tom Johnstone to force a knock-on according to the video referee.

Matty Ashton and then Thewlis trailed and caught Johnstone to prevent a second-half score, before George Williams hauled down man-mountain Mike McMeeken inches from the try line and a dangerous break by the tricky Arthur Mourgue came to nought when Matt Dufty covered across.

Warrington Guardian: George Williams hauls down Mike McMeeken short of the try lineGeorge Williams hauls down Mike McMeeken short of the try line (Image: SWpix.com)

Warrington Guardian: Josh Thewlis ends Tom Johnstone's threat to score as Stefan Ratchford and Matt Dufty also track backJosh Thewlis ends Tom Johnstone's threat to score as Stefan Ratchford and Matt Dufty also track back (Image: SWpix.com)

Warrington Guardian: Matt Dufty closes in to shut down Arthur Mourgue after what was looking like a 30-metre dash to the try line for the Catalans half-backMatt Dufty closes in to shut down Arthur Mourgue after what was looking like a 30-metre dash to the try line for the Catalans half-back (Image: SWpix.com)

In the end, two of the three tries Catalans managed to score came from kicks – and one of them looked a 50:50 call at best after Ben Currie had got himself from one side of the field to the other to regather Johnstone’s kick ahead before Adam Keighran touched own only then to be told he had impeded the Catalans half-back as a penalty try was awarded.

In contrast, The Wire were so clinical with the chances they created.

After weathering an early bombardment, the first time they visited Dragons’ danger zone Paul Vaughan’s drive sucked in four defenders to allow space for Dufty’s pearler pass to put Thewlis over.

Warrington Guardian: Josh Thewlis' first of a brace against Catalans DragonsJosh Thewlis' first of a brace against Catalans Dragons (Image: Joe Richardson/Warrington Wolves)

Then Dufty cut the gap to 10-8 with a wonder try, collecting a deep kick before galloping sideways to seek a hole and blasting through one and completing a 120-metre dash.

A lovely interchange of handling between Williams and Sam Kasiano allowed the former to put The Wire 14-10 in front but after Catalans finally managed an equaliser things turned ugly.

With 15 minutes remaining Gil Dudson was sent off for punching but even that did not open the way for Catalans to take charge as the remaining 12 men dug even deeper for each other.

To seal the game after one of several breaks from Stefan Ratchford, Williams worked a runaround move with Joe Philbin and then delivered a pinpoint long-range ball to Matty Nicholson who timed his pass perfectly for Thewlis to bag the winner.

This was an 80-minute Wire performance and it had to be.

In terms of where they can do better, they would have liked more possession and to have enjoyed better field position over the course of the game so that they did not have to do as much work in defence.

This was a rare occasion this year where the Warrington pack was outgunned, which led to the kicking game not being as effective as it needed to be to put Catalans under pressure for periods at a time.

So to still come away with the two points in all these circumstances is a real statement of how far The Wire have come since last year.

Warrington Guardian: New fans' favourites, Paul Vaughan and Sam KasianoNew fans' favourites, Paul Vaughan and Sam Kasiano (Image: Picture: Joe Richardson/Warrington Wolves)