Injury-hit Warrington dig deep to beat Catalans Image source, SWPixImage caption, Matty Ashton has scored nine tries this season for WarringtonPublished25 June 2026, 22:13 BSTUpdated 21 minutes agoBetfred Super LeagueWarrington (6) 18Tries: Ashton, Hopoate, Bentley Goals: Irwin 3Catalans (10) 16Tries: Lipowicz, Cotric, Dodd Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 2Warrington overcame injury problems to move level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the top of Super League with a gutsy win over Catalans.The Wolves, who lost Arron Lindop and Josh Thewlis to injury, had to play the entire second half at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with a reshuffled backline, but they dug deep to hold out against the big French side.Stand-in full-back Ewan Irwin, who crucially kicked three conversions out of three, was the hero, with the 18-year-old producing a brilliant try-saving tackle on Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet late on to clinch the win.It was an important bounce-back victory for head coach Sam Burgess’s side after last week’s heavy defeat by the Rhinos.Warrington dominated the opening 20 minutes and man of the match Matty Ashton gave them a deserved lead with a well-worked try, but the first half hydration break changed the momentum of the game.Within two minutes of play restarting, the Dragons were on level terms through a try by Zac Lipowicz after an aerial kick from Toby Sexton had caused confusion in the Warrington ranks.Six minutes from the interval, the visitors took the lead through a try from Nick Cotric created by a lovely pass from Lewis Dodd, which cut out three Wolves defenders.With Lindop going off with a knee injury sustained in a wrestling match with Aispuro-Bichet which saw the Catalans centre put on report, and then Thewlis unable to come out for the second half because of a hip problem, Warrington were up against it.But their response was outstanding, with a terrific muscular finish from Albert Hopoate edging them ahead 12-10.James Bentley stretched the home side’s lead from Ashton’s inside pass with 16 minutes left, and Irwin goaled superbly from wide out to put Warrington two scores clear.Dodd pulled a try back for Catalans with 10 minutes left and Aispuro-Bichet looked like he would win it for the French side, but Irwin – moved from half-back because of the disruption – had the final say.Warrington: Thewlis, Ashton, Lindop, Smith, Hopoate, Irwin, Hayes; Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Bentley, Currie, Harrison.Interchanges: Powell, Crowther, Wood, Tanginoa, Holroyd (18th man, used)Catalans: Staines, Cotric, Aispuro-Bichet, Faataape, Marc, Sexton, Dodd, Allen, Leeming, Navarette, Maria, Lipowicz, Garcia.Interchanges: Satae, Condon, Wilson, Laguerre.Referee: Marcus Griffiths.Related topicsRugby League
