CATALAN DRAGONS 20 WARRINGTON W 24

JOSH Thewlis scored a dramatic late try as Warrington boosted their hopes of reaching the Super League playoffs with a hard-fought 24-20 win over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

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Tries from Zack Gardner, George Williams and Jordan Crowther helped Wire take an 18-2 halftime lead at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Dragons responded after the break with tries from on-loan Hull hooker Denive Balmforth, who crossed twice, and Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet to lead 20-18 before Thewlis converted his own late score to win it for the visitors.

A third successive victory saw Warrington move level on points with seventh-placed Wakefield and within one of Hull in sixth as the playoff battle intensifies.

The game was threatened by torrential rain and thunderstorms after weeks of excessive heat, ground safety officers consulting with the officials on safety protocols prior to kickoff.