Mathers's display pleases boss Smith
Mathers was partly responsible for Catalans' only try through David Ferriol after tapping back a kick with Chris Riley and Chris Bridge then involved in a mix-up.
Smith said: "The boys wanted to keep a clean sheet and Richie is upset about tapping the ball back but his positives outweighed his negatives and he did really well.
"He shouldn't beat himself about too much.
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Hide Ad"It was a very good first half, we were great with the ball and also defensively even when they looked like troubling us."
Warrington lost Ben Harrison in the first minute but Smith said: "I thought it looked serious but he only got an elbow in the muscle part of his shoulder and will be fine for next week.
"He could have gone back on but we didn't need to push anyone who was carrying anything."
Catalans coach Kevin Walters, whose side have now won only one of their last seven Super League matches, said: "Our defence was sloppy and not adequate for this level of football in the first half.
"We looked vulnerable and very thin and did not work hard enough in defence.
"It's an effort thing and we didn't have it. We were better in the second half which is a positive."