Pryce is right man to put out Dragons fire
WOLVES COACH GETS SELECTION SPOT ON
Catalans 8 Warrington 24
BY STEVEN BRADY WARRINGTON coach Steve Pryce relished making the tough calls after leaving out star playmaker Blake Austin in Perpignan.
Pryce, who is leaving at the end of the season, ensured Catalans Dragons suffered their first defeat of the season after coming from behind to win and go four games unbeaten.
He said: “It was a really good performance by the boys. Our completion rate in the second half must have been up there around 94 per cent.
“We had the wind against us in the first half but we got our systems right, and to keep Catalans to one try for a full 80 minutes is a really positive performance.”
On the non-selection of Austin he added, “It’s more about Austo, he is an important part of our team but I thought today the best way was with Stef and Gareth (Ratchford, below, and Widdop).”
Asked about the possible debut of star signing Greg Inglis, Pryce said: “He will be playing next week somewhere in the
17, and I’ll make that decision later in the week. I’ve got some tough calls to make but it’s a good headache to have.”
James Maloney put the Dragons ahead with a penalty after 10 minutes of attrition then pounced upon a loose ball to cross behind the posts, converting it himself for 8-0 on the half-hour.
But the Wolves hit back when Ratchford broke through the Dragons’ defence on halfway and released second-rower Ben Currie.
They went further ahead when Widdop cleverly switched attack to the left and his kick was collected by centre Toby King.
A 90-metre strike by winger Jake Mamo, after he intercepted a Sam Tomkins pass, put Warrington further ahead.
Then Ratchford’s towering bomb was patted into the hands of Widdop who crossed to put his side 24-8 ahead.
Catalans coach Steve McNamara said: “We are all frustrated at not getting the win and not playing as smoothly as we have done.”
CATALANS: Tries: Maloney. Pen: Maloney. Con: Maloney. WARRINGTON: Tries: Currie, King, Mamo, Widdop. Cons: Ratchford (4).