Matty Russell started his second spell with Warrington in style as they walloped hopeless Castleford.
The Scotland winger, 29, has had to bide his time since returning to the club this season. But he came in for injured Josh Thewlis and marked his first appearance with two tries. Ruthless Wolves were just too strong as they made it six wins from six to stay top of Super League.
Ex-Castleford boss Daryl Powell suffered defeat on his first return to Wheldon Road last year when Warrington were in a mess. But he was beaming on Friday as his new-look side continued their perfect start. Aussie prop Paul Vaughan was immense again and England stand-off George Williams picked sorry Castleford apart.
Powell was most impressed with his side's defensive prowess. He beamed: “I said to them during the week it's about time we put a nil on somebody and they really got a hold of that. It was a big effort. You saw a group of boys who care about keeping their line intact. The way everyone rushed over from all over the field to celebrate one tackle said everything about the spirit for me.
“Our control of the game and defence intent went to another level in the second half. But as good as we are at the moment, I think there’s more to come."
Some fed-up home fans left as early as the 53rd minute when Williams’ try made it 32-0. Caretaker Tigers coach Andy Last hoped to build on last week’s first win of the season against Leeds. But his job application will have been hurt by this embarrassment.
It’s the second time Castleford have been nilled at home in a matter of weeks. Yet when Paul McShane raced away down the middle in the opening exchanges, it looked like they might click. The England hooker kicked ahead for lightning quick teenager Jason Qareqare to chase. But Warrington full-back Matt Dufty won the race to nullify the danger - and his side would barely be threatened again.
Giant prop Sam Kasiano bulldozed over in the 17th minute. And Powell’s side took control with back-to-back tries around the quarter mark. Greg Eden had one of those brain explosion moments that have randomly cropped up in his career. Castleford’s full-back threw a long pass to no one behind his own line and Russell accepted the gift.
His confident side scored in the next set after Matty Ashton raced clear down the left. Ex-Cas star Peter Mata’utia - playing half-back with Josh Drinkwater injured - eventually sent prop Thomas Mikaele over cruising through another gaping hole. But the best was yet to come, Dufty producing a stunning long cut-out pass to see Russell diving in for his second just before the break.
He scored 30 tries in 96 games for Wolves before leaving in 2018. The ex-Toronto star vowed to make the most of the lifeline thrown to him by Powell after Toulouse’s relegation. He’s doing just that. Warrington, who shrugged off losing England hooker Daryl Clark to a 17th minute knee injury, added Vaughan and Dufty tries, with Stefan Ratchford slotting five goals.
Castleford lost Liam Watts (AC joint), Paul McShane (dead leg) and Nathan Massey (suspected fractured eye socket) along the way. Last bemoaned: “I'm a little bit rattled. We’re very disappointed to put in such a disappointing performance at home on the back of playing well last week. We didn’t get consistency tonight. We knew what was coming. They're a very good side. But from the first minute to the 80th we just couldn't control them.”
