Wolves' patience pays off
Warrington overcame a spirited Hull side 36-18 to strengthen their grip on second place in the engage Super League.
Last Updated: 20/08/10 10:34pm
Warrington overcame a spirited Hull side 36-18 to strengthen their grip on second place in the engage Super League.
Wolves coach Tony Smith fielded his strongest possible side despite next week's Challenge Cup final date, but the hosts were made to battle by the Black and Whites.
Hull had lost their last five games to Warrington but matched them every step of the way for the opening 40 minutes.
Only when the Wolves' pace and handling skills finally began to tell on a tiring defence did Warrington kick clear in the final quarter.
Hull dominated the opening exchanges and were good value for the first try after eight minutes, Danny Tickle's fine long pass bettered only by the brilliance of Tom Briscoe's finish in the corner under sever pressure. Tickle added the extras from the touchline and Hull led 6-0.
But they were made to pay for Willie Manu's careless high shot on Ben Harrison, as Louis Anderson put Chris Riley in for the winger's 24th try of the season. Ben Westwood matched Tickle's touchline effort and the scores were level.
Just past the half-hour mark Craig Hall thought he was in for Hull's second try only for the video referee to chalk it off for Tickle's obstruction on Richie Myler.
But there was no denying Epalahame Lauaki moments later as the giant Tongan collected Craig Fitzgibbon's offload to score.
Hit back
Tickle again converted but Warrington hit back on the final play of the half, as the ball was swept out wide and Ryan Atkins offloaded on his way into touch for Riley to score his second try.
Westwood added another touchline conversion and the sides headed in tied at 12-12.
But Hull could not match that fiercely committed display in the second half, as the Wolves seized control.
Tickle's sin-binning for holding down Monaghan quickly proved costly, as Monaghan shaped to kick on the last tackle, broke instead and exchanged passes with Westwood before putting Jon Clarke over, Westwood again converting.
Five minutes later Danny Houghton and Manu were penalised in quick succession and Westwood powered over, then knocked over the kick.
Hull were briefly back in the contest after Lee Radford hacked on to score, but the veteran had barely finished celebrating before he knocked on straight from the kick off and Wolves skipper Adrian Morley barged his way over.
There was no coming back from there for Hull, as Clarke put Myler over beneath the posts and Westwood slotted his sixth kick from six attempts.
