Super League: Title favourites Warrington Wolves thump Castleford Tigers

Jamie Ellis: The Castleford man landed four goals for his side

Ben Westwood: The man known as 'Predator' scored two tries

Last season's grand final runners-up Warrington Wolves ran in seven tries to kick off their 2013 campaign with a comfortable 40-24 victory over Castleford Tigers at the Halliwell Jones stadium.

Warrington coach Tony Smith saw six different players go over the line for his side with Ben Westwood scoring a double while Brett Hodgson landed five goals.

To their credit the visiting Tigers scored four tries of their own while Jamie Ellis landed four goals, but it proved too little too late against the title favourites.

The Wolves roared out of the blocks scoring four tries in the opening 13 minutes through Chris Riley, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Evans and Richie Myler with Hodgson landing three conversions to open up a 22-0 lead.

Further first-half tries from Westwood and Garreth Carvell, both goaled by the impressive Hodgson, saw the Wolves extend their lead to 34-12 by the break.

But to their credit the Tigers stuck to their task and produced a gritty second half display side in front of a full house.

They restricted the home side to just a further score from Westwood for his second of the match, but the damage had already been done.

Ian Millward's Castleford side scored second half tries through Richard Owen and Jake Webster to add to first half scores from Justin Carney and Michael Shenton with Ellis landing four goals.