Former Wests Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson kicked Warrington to within touching distance of Super League leaders Wigan as they downed Catalans Dragons 15-6 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Monday.
In a tight battle for second place it was the defences who dominated for long periods with ex-Canberra Raider Joel Monaghan particularly brilliant for the Wolves.
But after his brother Michael had kicked a drop-goal, Hodgson put the game out of the Dragons’ reach with a late penalty to close the gap on Wigan at the top to just three points.
Warrington started the stronger but had to wait until the 15th minute to get on the scoreboard, Ben Westwood scoring the try and Hodgson adding the easy conversion.
The French side thought they had replied three minutes after the break, only for wing Damien Cardace to have his try ruled out after the reply showed he had stepped on the touchline.
The Dragons were made to rue this decision as Warrington went up the other end to stretch their lead through a Ryan Atkins try, Hodgson striking the upright with his touchline kick.
Jason Baitieri got the Dragons on the scoreboard with a 59th-minute try but that was as good as it got as the Wolves defence dug deep before a last-gasp Hodgson penalty kicked Warrington to victory.
Bradford Bulls’ future off the field might still look bleak but on it things are looking far more positive. Ex-Cronulla fullback Brett Kearney scored four of his side’s eight tries as they battered basement boys London Broncos 44-12 on Sunday.
Kearney was joined on the scoresheet by Manase Manuokafoa to give the Bulls fans some hope with a third straight win ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to find a new buyer.
George Carmont chipped in with a hat-trick as league leaders Wigan comfortably saw off the challenge of Wakefield, Sam Tomkins also starring with a 24-point haul in his side’s 52-10 victory.
It was a different story however for another hat-trick hero, as ex-New Zealand Warrior Patrick Ah Van’s three tries wasn’t enough to hand Widnes victory against St Helens.
The struggling Vikings looked all set for a famous win as Ah Van had them leading 23-18 going into the final minutes, cancelling out efforts in reply from Iosia Soliola, Jon Wilkin and Michael Shenton.
But it was St Helens who had the last laugh as a 79th-minute Josh Jones try and a touchline conversion from Lee Gaskell handed the Saints a stunning 24-23 victory.
Joel Moon did his best to help Salford supporters forget about the departing Manny Smith as the ex-Warrior scored a try in a 24-22 victory over Hull KR.
Nick Youngquest helped heap more misery on Huddersfield as he scored a try in a seventh-straight defeat for the Giants, Castleford running out comfortable 52-6 winners.
Elsewhere, Brett Delaney helped Jamie Peacock celebrate his 350th Leeds appearance in style on Friday, scoring a try in the Rhinos’ 21-6 win over an injury-ravaged Hull.
