King treble tames Tigers
Matt King grabbed a hat-trick as Warrington remained on top of the engage Super League after a 48-10 victory over Castleford.
Last Updated: 01/07/11 10:28pm
Matt King grabbed a hat-trick as Warrington remained on top of the engage Super League after a dominant 48-10 victory over Castleford at the PROBIZ Coliseum.
The Wolves had thrashed the Tigers 62-0 at home two months ago and again had far too much quality for Terry Matterson's side.
Although they were without captain Adrian Morley and playmaker Lee Briers, the visitors raced into a 24-0 lead at half-time thanks to tries from Brett Hodgson, Richie Myler, Matty Blythe and King.
Australian centre King crossed the line twice more after the break, with Joel Monaghan, Hodgson and Ryan Atkins also scoring in the second half.
The Tigers hit back with tries from Ryan Hudson, Brett Ferres, Rangi Chase and Greg Eden but there was no way back for the hosts, who have now suffered two heavy defeats in a row.
It took only two minutes for Hodgson to cross the line, as the full-back broke free and glided past a weak challenge from Richie Mathers to score a fine solo effort he converted himself.
Lead
The Wolves almost extended their lead midway through the half when great handling from Myler, Hodgson and King set Atkins free.
The centre looked certain to go over in the corner but Mathers and Eden combined to haul him into touch just in time.
Warrington continued to threaten with ball in hand, however, and a fine piece of footwork and turn of pace from Atkins left the home defenders trailing in his wake before Myler was played in for a simple score.
Hodgson added the extras but wasted another chance soon after when his errant pass prevented Simon Grix from going over.
The lead was stretched just before the half-hour mark when Blythe had too much power and pace for the Castleford defence as he cut in from the right for a score that Hodgson converted.
It got worse for the Tigers two minutes before half-time as David Solomona and Atkins worked the ball over the left flank, where King was on hand to finish.
Control
Hodgson slotted the extras over to leave his side 24-0 and in complete control at the half-time break.
Solomona had produced some great handling after coming off the bench and was a prominent figure again as Warrington scored their fifth try three minutes into the second half.
The powerhouse forward sent a smart pass to Hodgson, who played King in for his second try of the match in the left corner.
Shortly afterwards King completed his treble with another fine finish after Hodgson had again been pivotal in the build-up.
Jacob Emmitt and Mike Cooper were sin binned for fighting but Castleford finally got on the scoreboard with a flurry of tries from Ferres, Chase, Hudson and Eden.
But the Wolves yet and Hodgson grabbed a second and Atkins also crossed the whitewash to confirm an emphatic Warrington win.
