Matt Dufty scored two tries as Warrington Wolves ran riot at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, moving back into 5th place after beating Castleford Tigers 66-12.
The Wolves started shakily but soon found their form against Danny Ward’s men, with a Castleford yellow card at an untimely moment essentially spelling the end of the contest.
Seven tries in the second half meant no way back for the Tigers, as Wolves ended a streak of three home losses in a row.
Castleford’s Sam Hall took the first try of the game after an early Warrington mistake which betrayed a nervousness palpable in the home crowd, too.
But a lovely change of pace from Danny Walker brought Warrington forward again and Paul Vaughan was on hand to get the home side on the scoresheet with a try duly converted by Ratchford – his 1,500th points for the team.
Soon after, Dufty, who has been ever-present for Warrington this season, saw the smallest of gaps to put Warrington in the lead and suddenly they smelt blood, with Ben Currie securing the 100th try of his career and Ratchford’s conversion making it 18-6.
Things only got worse for Castleford, as injuries for Charbel Tasipale and George Lawler meant they were left on the half hour with only one sub remaining.
But Warrington showed hints of why their form has been so inconsistent this season, with numerous chances to wrap up the game squandered by sloppy passes.
And Castleford took advantage of this early on in the second half, with a Greg Eden try and Widdop’s conversion putting the Tigers right back in the game.
But just as things were looking up for them, a dangerous tackle and subsequent yellow card for Jacob Miller swung things back in Warrington’s favour.
Wire immediately took advantage of their extra man, as star-man Dufty and then Daryl Clark darted through for two tries in quick succession, and two more conversions from Ratchford made it 30-12.
After this, the tries came thick and fast, with Nicholson and Ashton getting in on the action, too.
A magnificent run by George Williams made it 46, and James Harrison took the hosts past 50.
Paul Vaughan got his second try of the day late one, with Williams adding insult to injury and Ratchford making it 11 from 11 conversions to make the final score 66-12.
It was a win which could prove vital for Warrington, putting them back into the top six and giving them the chance, in their final three matches, to give fans something to celebrate at the end of a season that has at times looked in danger of becoming a case of what might have been.
