Wire tee up Wembley date with win against Cas

Betfred Super League

Warrington (22) 34

Tries: Josh Thewlis, Jake Thewlis, Tai, Lindop, Currie, Ratchford Goals: Sneyd 4, Ratchford 1

Castleford (6) 24

Tries: Lawler 2, Innes Senior, Simm Goals: Milnes 2, Lawler 2

Warrington Wolves had the perfect preparation for next weekend's Challenge Cup final against Hull KR coasting to a comfortable six-try win over Castleford Tigers at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Tigers had helpfully acceded to Warrington's request to bring forward this Super League contest by two days in order to give Sam Burgess's outfit a clear seven-day run into the Wembley showpiece.

And from opening to final whistle here everything went perfectly for Wire as they arrested a run of three defeats in Super League with a win which, while not improving their league position, has done wonders for their mood.

At the heart of the victory was a masterful display from Ausralian full back Matt Dufty as the Wire ran in four tries in a dominant first period after which they led 22-6, with Josh and Jake Thewlis, Rodrick Tai and Arron Lindop going over.

While the Tigers responded in the second, shading the try count 3-2, with George Lawler adding to his first half effort, Innes Senior and Josh Simm going over as the hooter sounded, Wire were always in control of the scoreboard.

To complete the feeling of a perfect night for the hosts, Stefan Ratchford, on his 350th appearance for Warrington, bagged the extras to his own try after more good work from Dufty.

Even a slight injury scare to second row Lachlan Fitzgibbon which saw him leave in the first half and not return in the second, proved of no concern as he returned to celebrate with his teammates at the close.

Warrington will have to be this good and more against league leaders Hull KR who warmed up with a similarly impressive victory over St Helens.

But in the wizardry of Dufty, the power of Paul Vaughan and Max Wood, Marc Sneyd's ever reliable boot and the brilliant running lines of Lindop and the Thewlis brothers, they have more than a puncher's chance in north west London.

They were on it from the opening whistle with Josh Thewlis first over on the right flank after 10 minutes and brother Jake mirroring on the left side four minutes later, Lindop moving on Dufty's so slickly it looked as if it missed him out.

Tai pounced on Stefan Ratchford's grubber kick on 20 minutes before Lawler scored the first of his two for Cas. Yet each time they drew closer, Warrington found another gear.

Lindop found a perfect angle to charge over just before half-time and Ben Currie met Sneyd's chip in front of the posts to go 28-6 up as the latter put over his fourth goal.

For Cas this has been a disappointing season. A campaign which started with a golden point defeat by Hull KR has seen just three wins, two of which have come against the stricken Salford Red Devils.

Lawler, Innes Senior and, after Ratchford's six-pointer, Simm as the hooter sounded brought some respectability to the scoreline at 34-24 but it was not enough to put a spanner in Warrington's Wembley planning.

Warrington Wolves coach Sam Burgess:

"We needed the win for sure. I don't know what our record is in the league, but it's not great.

"We'll take a bit of a momentum forward and look forward to the challenge on Saturday.

"I was happy with most parts of the game. We stuck to the plan and had a lot of controlled possession. Part of our defence looked much better.

"We fell off a bit at the back end but that will give us something to work on this week."

Castleford Tigers boss Danny McGuire told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I thought it was a strange game. I'm really pleased with the effort but not the outcome. I thought we did some really good things, especially with the ball, and we've scored some really good tries.

"We were scrapping and fighting at the back end and showing real grit to stay in the game and finish strong.

"We did some not so nice things with the ball earlier in the game and put ourselves under pressure with some unforced errors.

Warrington: Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Tai, LIndop, Jake Thewlis; Ratchford, Sneyd; Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Fitzgibbon, Holroyd, Currie

Interchanges: Harrison, Wood, Philbin, Hartill

Castleford: Hoy; Simm, Cini, L Senior, I Senior; Asi, Milnes; Okoro, Atkin, Singleton, Lawler, Mellor, Horne

Interchanges: Griffin, Hall, Hill, Salabio

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.