Warrington Wolves 62 Castleford Tigers 0: Tigers left wounded as Wolves go on the rampage

Dumbfounded coach Terry Matterson was left shaking his head in dismay as a side who had been so sharp and professional earlier in the season delivered an awful performance.

Castleford, run ragged by veteran Lee Briers and impressive Super League debutant Gareth O’Brien, have now failed to win any of their last five league meetings since defeating Salford and riding high last month.

Warrington helped themselves to tries and barely gave their inept visitors a single chance to strike in one of the most one-sided displays of the recent era.

It was not quite as comprehensive as Castleford’s 76-12 loss at Headingley two years but there was few positives to glean.

They were not aided when prop Paul Jackson pulled a back muscle during the warm-up. Fellow forward Martin Aspinwall strained a calf at the same time but started only to depart after just four minutes not to return.

Winger Richard Owen also failed to appear for the second half following a heavy knock to the head leaving the jaded visitors depleted but there will be few excuses for this capitulation.

Oli Holmes came onto the bench with Nathan Massey promoted for only his second Super League start. The young prop was given a fearsome early welcome by the brutish Ben Westwood, a thunderous, driving tackle setting the tone for the evening.

After Aspinwall became the first of many Tigers cheaply squander possession, he was then far too easily out-foxed by a stepping O’Brien, the darting 19-year-old scrum-half who looks a real talent cruising over for the game’s first try.

Nick Fozzard, Holmes and Brett Ferres all then spilled in their own half and Richie Mathers, who perhaps tried too hard last night on his first return to his former club, threw a wayward pass into touch when Castleford earned a rare spell in the Warrington 20.

Having hardly broken sweat to gain so much free ball, it was no surprise that the dominant home side was so fulsome, strong and direct with their subsequent raids.

As well as Briers and O’Brien, Brett Hodgson was equally productive on the back of the usual dominance from Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell and Westwood, the ex-Huddersfield captain continuing to prove he has been one of the season’s best signings.

Briers jinxed through more feeble line defence for their second after Fozzard’s mistake and when Ferres erred, Hodgson chimed into the line to put Matt King over.

Mathers sliced through once but chose the wrong option and was denied by Michael Monaghan but then it was all Warrington.

O’Brien showed great awareness to pick up a loose King pass and dink through for Hodgson to score, the Wolves full-back as Mathers and Rangi Chase dithered, systematic of Castleford’s night.

Nearly half an hour had passed before Chase was able to produce his side’s first attacking kick of the night but it was easily defused by King.

Briers then got in on the act when his grubber hit a post and bounced straight back to him, leaving wrong-footed Mathers shaking his head in disbelief. If it was anyone else you would think it was pure luck but with Briers you imagine it is always planned.

Hodgson converted again to leave Castleford trailing 28-0 at half-time and then glided through on another piercing run for Simon Grix to extend the lead in the 47th minute.

Grix eased over for a simple second two minutes later after his angled run left Ryan McGoldrick, looking out of sorts at centre, flummoxed close to his own line.

A trademark Briers reverse kick provided Mickey Higham with another on 54 minutes, but there were no excuses for King’s second when the rangy Australian winger gained the ball at a standing start 10 metres out and was invited to attack the line by hesitant Castleford defenders.

Hodgson hit the post with his touchline conversion attempt to prove not everything he touches turn to gold.

There was a touch of fortune when David Solomona benefited from a hopeful swatted pass from Briers who converted after Hodgson had departed with a worrying back injury which could scupper his chances of playing for the Exiles against England next month.

Briers then sent Bridge racing clear down the touchline for Joel Monaghan to get his customary try and leave Castleford on their knees.

With injured England duo Ben Harrison and Richie Myler in the stand, decked in headphones on radio duty, it was another evening where Warrington could illustrate their ominous strength.

Castleford know they cannot afford such luxuries and must soon remember they have to fight for every scrap in this league if they are to achieve their own aims. Last nigh they failed to do so.

Warrington: Hodgson; J Monaghan, Bridge, Atkins, King; Briers, O’Brien; Morley,M Monaghan, Carvell, Anderson, Westwood, Grix. Substitutes: Higham, Wood, Cooper, Solomona.

Castleford Tigers: Mathers; Dixon, McGoldrick, Arundel, Owen; Chase, Orr; Massey, Hudson, Fozzard, Ferres, Jones, Aspinwall. Substitutes: Emmitt, Milner, Holmes, Widders.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)