Super League: Castleford Tigers 35-22 Warrington Wolves

Jason Qareqare (centre) produced another superb score for Castleford as evidence of his talents

Castleford overcame Cheyse Blair's red card to beat Warrington and spoil former boss Daryl Powell's first return to the Mend-a-Hose Jungle.

Four first-half tries blew Warrington away, with Derrell Olpherts, Danny Richardson and Niall Evalds scoring.

Jason Qareqare powered over to extend the lead, before Ben Currie, Matty Ashton and Daryl Clark gave Wire hope.

Alex Sutcliffe's score ensured Blair's dismissal would not be costly, despite Oli Holmes' late consolation.

Powell was brought to Warrington to deliver silverware but his first season looks like it will be an empty-handed one, and this loss is damaging as they missed the chance to gain ground on their opponents in the top six.

Whether it was the emotion of Powell's return or the desperate need for points in the push for the play-offs that proved the inspiration, Castleford produced a white-hot performance in soaring temperatures to stamp their own credentials.

Eden, filling in at stand-off, was imperious early on, delivering two perfect cut-out balls to put Olpherts away on the left.

Richardson tracked a kick from captain Paul McShane to score as the Wire failed to react before dropping a one-pointer after the skipper's 40-20, and Evalds polished off a slick inside-outside move just before the break to delight the home crowd.

Qareqare stepped off the bench and stepped through the cover to add a fifth try, but Lee Radford's side were left to play with 12 for 20 minutes after Blair's dismissal for a high tackle with the forearm on Josh Thewlis.

By contrast, Warrington lacked the energy and intensity that marked their Magic Weekend win over Catalans in a miserable first half, and took almost an hour to post points and find a groove.

George Williams tried to generate some promising attack around the ruck, threading a kick for Currie's try, and the second-rower then turned provider for the pacey Ashton to stream through.

Ex-Tigers Clark and Holmes crossed to give the sizeable contingent of Wire fans on the Railway End something to cheer, without meaningfully cutting into the deficit.

But ultimately, an exasperated Powell was left to rue a sloppy start at a ground where he enjoyed eight-and-a-half years as Tigers boss.

Castleford head coach Lee Radford:

On Powell's return to Wheldon Road: "He's done a great job for the club but he was copping stick right, left and centre. It's safe to say I might be in that position this time next week (when Castleford visit Radford's former club Hull FC)."

On injuries: "His (Niall Evalds) shoulder popped out, so we lose another one. In three weeks that's Ryan Hampshire, Jake Trueman and Niall Evalds and they are massive blows for us.

"But they are an unbelievable group at swimming against the tide. We're fighting above our weight, we keep fighting and scrapping.

"There was a period when the game swung away from us but fortunately we found some answers, we found a way to win the game, which was an important game for us."

On Blair's red card: "I didn't see it but, if there is any contact with the head, it's illegal."

Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell:

"Things are not going the way we wanted them to go but I came here to change the culture and turn the club into a championship-winning team and I'm still doing that.

"The fact is a lot needed to change and I asked them to give me time. I'm working seven days a week to get us to where want to be.

"The chances are we're not going to win the comp this year but we've a great chance of winning it next year.

"Coming here and losing is tough, especially the way we did. Last week was about as complete a performance as we've had but this week we were all over the place.

"How we started the game was as dumb as you are ever going to see. We put ourselves under way too much pressure. We were poor defensively and conceded some real soft tries.

"The boys are trying hard but not using brains in an effective way. We handed Castleford gilt-edged opportunities to attack our line."

Castleford: Evalds; Olpherts, Blair, Fonua, Faraimo; Eden, Richardson; Griffin, McShane, Lawler, Edwards, Mellor, Westerman.

Interchanges: Sutcliffe, Smith, Matagi, Qareqare.

Sent off: Blair (60).

Warrington: Ratchford; Thewlis, Mata'utia, Wardle, Ashton; Williams, Dean; Mulhern, D Clark, Harrison, Currie, Nicholson, Holmes.

Interchanges: Mikaele, Bullock, J Clark, Wrench.

Referee: Liam Moore.

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