Full Report

Match Official: R Hicks

A stunning first-half display by Super League favourites Warrington Wolves ensured they kicked off their 2013 campaign with victory over Castleford Tigers at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

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

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

The Tigers produced a much improved second-half display and restricted the home side to just one further score from Westwood, but the damage had been done in the opening exchanges.

Castleford scored after the break through Richard Owen and Jake Webster to add to first-half scores from Justin Carney and Michael Shenton; four goals were added by Jamie Ellis.

Warrington coach Tony Smith had an almost fully-fit squad to select from with centre Chris Bridge the only absentee as he recovers from a close-season operation.

A much-changed Castleford side saw coach Ian Millward give six full debuts to Jordan Tansey, Webster, Keith Mason, Carney, Weller Hauraki and Lee Gilmour, while Shenton returned for his second spell at the club as captain. The Tigers were without winger Kirk Dixon, who was ruled out with a torn calf sustained in training.

Any hopes Castleford had of causing an opening-game shock disappeared swiftly.

The Wolves were ahead after just two minutes when winger Riley scrambled over in the corner and three minutes later a superb midfield break by Simon Grix sent Atkins racing clear to score.

Centre Evans claimed Warrington’s third try on the 10-minute mark before Myler got in on the act.

It was a surprise that it took a further 10 minutes for Warrington to add to their tally; this time a Lee Briers bomb was kept alive superbly by Joel Monaghan and Evans to allow Westwood to cross for his side’s fifth try.

Castleford finally got a foothold in the game and were rewarded with points when Rangi Chase’s kick defelected off Briers and Webster sent Carney over.

Four minutes before half-time Carvell added a further try for the Wolves, but the Tigers had the final say of the first half when the Wolves lost possession as they tried to keep the ball alive and Shenton raced 30 metres to score.

Warrington were once again on the front foot at the start of the second half and, three minutes ater the restart, Myler sent Westwood over for his second of the game, with Hodgson's conversion making it 40-12.

To their credit the Tigers stuck to their task and reduced their arrears, but their revival came far too late in the day.