Warrington 24-16 Catalan: Steve McNamara suffers defeat in first Catalans Dragons game

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Warrington Wolves ended a run of six Super League games without a win as they defeat Catalans Dragons 24-16

New Catalans boss Steve McNamara lost his first match in charge of the Dragons as Warrington Wolves claimed a hard-earned 24-16 Super League victory to keep their top-eight hopes alive.

The former England and Bradford boss made the move from the New Zealand Warriors to the South of France this week on a two-and-a-half year contract to replace Laurent Frayssinous, but there was no dream start at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington's victory saw them leapfrog the Dragons into ninth place but last season's league leaders and losing Grand Finalists are still three points behind Wigan and Huddersfield with just four games remaining before the league splits.

Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara suffered defeat in his first game in charge

Ryan Atkins played a key role in Warrington's victory as he claimed two tries and created another for Benjamin Jullien, with Andre Savelio also touching down for the Wolves. Kurt Gidley landed four goals.

In reply, Richie Myler scored two tries against his former club and Jodie Broughton also touched down for Catalans, with Luke Walsh kicking two goals.

The Dragons were ahead after just two minutes when some crisp passing along the line allowed winger Broughton to squeeze over in the corner.

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That lead lasted just five minutes though as the Wolves hit back when Jullien scored and Gidley converted to give the home side a 6-4 advantage.

After that early flurry of points, both sides struggled to create any clear-cut openings with the Wolves especially guilty of making some basic errors when in possession.

But the home side did increase their lead on 21 minutes when Kevin Penny plucked Gidley's kick out of the air, only to be hauled down inches short. However, a quick play the ball allowed Atkins to dive over from dummy half to score.

Warrington centre Ryan Atkins was key to the 24-16 victory

On a rare foray into Warrington territory, the Dragons posted their second try of the game on the half-hour mark when half-back Myler scored a fine solo try, seeing off some poor defence on a 20-metre dash to the line.

Walsh converted to level the scores but in the final minute of the half Gidley was obstructed as he chased Patton's kick and the Australian landed the resulting penalty to give Warrington a 12-10 lead.

Heading into the final quarter the Wolves had added just a further Gidley penalty to lead 14-10, until just after the hour mark when Gidley's crossfield kick was plucked out of the air by Atkins for his second try of the game.

McNamara (left) made the move to coach the Catalans this week from the New Zealand Warriors

The game continued to have a scrappy feel about it with referee Phil Bentham also handing out a team warning to the French side after a string of penalties against the Dragons.

But with nine minutes remaining Catalans set up a tense finale when Myler followed up his own grubber kick close to the line to touch down and Walsh converted to make it 18-16.

But in frantic final few minutes Wolves full-back Dagger made a thrilling 70-metre break which set up the position from which Savelio crashed over from close range and Gidley converted to seal the win.