WOLVES fans will be getting excited for the business end of the season if the performance during Sunday’s win at Castleford is a taste of what is to come.

There was a feeling of perhaps ‘it is our year’ from those who braved the rain to witness Wolves all-but seal victory in a rampant first half at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Tony Smith’s side showed a clinical edge, opening up a 30-point gap by the break, that could prove key come the Super 8s if they are to close in on a top four play-offs spot.

Castleford offered little in return, a half chance for winger Justin Carney aside, but that was largely due to The Wire’s momentum steam-rolling the hosts back into their own half.

Joel Monaghan made a confident return with two tries, while having another chalked off, as he benefited from Richie Myler and Gareth O’Brien’s best combined performance in the halves all season.

Whether it took time to gel or the imminent arrival of Chris Sandow sparked a fight for places, Wolves’ half backs were the catalyst for some expansive rugby off the back of a pack firing on all cylinders.

Bennie Westwood and Daryl Clark stood out, while Roy Asotasi and Anthony England were a presence off the bench and young Sam Wilde savoured his first Super League try.

However the loss of Matty Russell and Westwood, to injury and suspension, proved a blow.

Wolves moved steadily through the gears after Monaghan’s opener, the skipper grounding at full stretch in the corner from Myler’s well-weighted kick.

Westwood’s power took him over soon after and the visitors proved they were prepared to dealt with the conditions better than their hosts when O’Brien pounced on Mike McMeeken’s fumble.

Gene Ormsby, who would likely have slid back to Warrington had Adam Milner not slowed his path, made Cas pay for another handling error from inside his own half.

Once Ben Currie sauntered through it was 30-0 in Wolves’ favour, and despite a scrappier second half they were well worth the win.

The highlight of the second 40 came with teenager Wilde, keeping out those his senior, finishing well from close range for his first senior try, followed by a score for Stefan Ratchford, finishing at full back.

Even a Junior Moors reply could not dampen Wolves' afternoon, the impressive Myler sprinting home in front of a rain-drenched, umbrella-wielding away end.

MATCH FACTS

Super League Round 23, Sunday, July 26, 2015

Castleford Tigers...6 Warrington Wolves...44

Castleford: Luke Dorn; Ashley Gibson, Jake Webster, Michael Shenton, Justin Carney; Liam Finn, Luke Gale; Andy Lynch, Adam Milner, Grant MIllington, Oliver Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Gadwin Springer. Subs: Ryan Boyle, Matt Cook, Junior Moors, Ben Roberts.

Wolves: Matty Russell; Gene Ormsby, Stefan Ratchford, Ryan Atkins, Joel Monaghan; Gareth O’Brien, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie, Ben Harrison. Subs: Brad Dwyer, Roy Asotasi, Sam Wilde, Anthony England.

Scoring: Monaghan try, 7mins, 0-4; Westwood try, 12mins, O’Brien goal, 0-10; O’Brien try, 20mins, O’Brien goal, 0-16; Ormsby try, 33mins, 0-20; Monaghan try, 37mins, 0-24; Currie try, 39mins, O’Brien goal, 0-30; Ratchford try, 52mins, O’Brien goal, 0-36; Wilde try, 66mins, 0-40; Moors try, 72mins, Finn goal, 6-40; Myler try, 77mins, 6-44.

Penalties: Castleford 5 Wolves 3

Referee: Phil Bentham

Attendance: 7,239

Top man: Richie Myler