Classy Cas rout Wolves

Castleford ran in a staggering 10 tries as they produced another scintillating display to power past Warrington 44-24 at The Jungle.

Michael Wainwright notched a hat-trick for the hosts as Wolves now face the realistic possibility of an away fixture in the opening week of the play-offs.

In a points feast in West Yorkshire, Stuart Donlan and Richard Owen helped themselves to two tries apiece as Luke Dorn, Ned Catic and Kirk Dixon completed the Tigers scoring.

Chris Riley led the Wolves fightback with two tries, however a string of unforced errors prevented the visitors from getting close to their rock-bottom opponents.

Going into the game looking to secure a fourth placed finish, Warrington were immediately on the back-foot when Dorn opened the scoring with a length-of-the-field interception off a Lee Briers pass in the sixth minute.

Briers made amends a minute later when he crossed under the posts following smart work from Jon Clarke and Ben Westwood.

Delightful

Castleford were soon back in front, though, Wainwright cantering in at the corner for his first of the evening following a long pass from Michael Shenton.

Despite their league position, Castleford's attacking prowess has never been in question - and that was underlined further when a delightful move started by Ryan McGoldrick and finished by Donlan provided them with their 100th try of the season.

Again Warrington responded as Riley touched down - Wainwright failing to deal with a Briers kick - the video referee confirming the score.

After a period of relative quiet, Castleford regained their momentum with two quick tries that extended their lead to 10 points.

Wainwright squeezed in at the corner for his second, Donlan doing the same just before the hooter as Shenton went close and spilled the ball into his path.

Wainwright might have been in for a hat-trick two minutes after the interval. But Dixon sent his pass flying into touch, and that proved costly as Matt Blythe side-stepped his way through the Tigers rearguard to reach out and touch down.

Castleford refused to buckle, though, and effectively sealed the win with two almost identical tries.

Needless

Both were scored by winger Owen and both created superbly by the outstanding Shenton. His two deft passes left Owen the simplest of tasks in at the corner.

Despite Craig Huby taking over the kicking duties, both conversions were missed - leaving Castleford 12 points shy of the total they could have achieved.

But with Briers in the sin bin after a needless swing at Dorn, they were more than comfortable at 30-18.

That fact was emphasised when Catic barged his way past Riley to score, Huby finally converting to the ironic cheers from the home supporters.

Riley redeemed himself slightly by posting his second score, on the end of Michael Monaghan's cute kick, and Castleford had to produce some heroic defence to keep out three back-to-back sets immediately afterwards.

With Warrington running on empty, Dixon snatched a ninth Cast try after an exceptional reverse pass from Huby - and Wainwright made it 10 with his hat-trick in the corner after good work from McGoldrick.

Warrington ended the game with Briers carried off after a nasty looking injury, and Westwood in the sin bin.