Warrington Wolves Academy produced a commanding second-half display to defeat Castleford Tigers Academy 46-12 in a physical encounter at Victoria Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The victory keeps the Wolves' Grand Final hopes alive. They now need to avoid defeat at Leeds Rhinos in Qualifier Three to secure a place in the final.

First Half

The Wolves opened the scoring in the ninth minute when hooker Leyton Haddrell intercepted a Tigers pass on his own line and raced sixty metres. Scrum half Jack Pendlebury then used great footwork to sidestep three defenders and score on the right. Stand off Tommy Rhodes converted.

Four minutes later, Castleford second row Saul Campbell was sin binned for a spear tackle. While he was off the field, Castleford were awarded three consecutive 'six agains'. Scrum half Sonny Wall kicked out wide and winger Jack Pallister collected the ball to score at the right of the posts. Wall added the conversion to level the score.

Just before the half hour, the Wolves went back ahead when Haddrell found Rhodes. His short ball was collected by full back Bailey Lund, who ran a great line and wove round four defenders to score on the right. Rhodes converted.

Four minutes later, Lund picked up the ball after the Tigers had knocked it down and found Haddrell, who rounded the cover to score on the right. Rhodes added the conversion.

Four minutes before the break, Tigers substitute Will Gardner was held just short. Hooker Leo Ogilvie caught the Wolves defenders flat-footed and burrowed over from dummy half to score on the left. Wall converted to make the half-time score 18-12 to the Wolves.

Second Half

Eight minutes into the second half, the Wolves were awarded a penalty on the Tigers line. Substitute Ed Williams tapped the ball and forced his way over at the side of the posts. Rhodes converted.

Nine minutes later, the Wolves kept the ball alive through nine sets of hands. Winger Jack Fallon slipped a nice pass to Rhodes, who scored a team try on the right. Rhodes added the conversion.

Just after the hour, substitute Oliver Orgill found Rhodes, whose long ball was collected by centre Cameron Cooper. His quick pass saw winger Regan Parkman step round his opposite number to score wide out on the left.

Five minutes later, a lovely offload from substitute Tom Marshall sent Williams clear through a gap. Williams passed back inside to Marshall, who raced over under the posts. Rhodes added the conversion.

Five minutes before the end, both Bailey Lund and Castleford's Jack Pallister were sin binned following a flare up.