Warrington Wolves book their place in the Challenge Cup semi-final after a tough battle with Hull Kingston Rovers. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
The Wire were first over with a try on the back of a drop-out forced by a Declan Patton kick on 10 minutes, wrapping Craig Hall up in-goal. Jake Mamo went over taking a pass from Patton over to the right.
The Wire were down to 12 men midway through the half after Tom Lineham was sent to the sin bin for his challenge on Jimmy Keinhorst; Rovers were on the attack on the back of repeat penalties but weren’t clinical enough to take their chances.
With the visitors on a team warning, a penalty conceded for offside at play the ball saw Patton sent to the sin-bin and the Wire down to 11 men as the half-hour mark approached, with Rovers still in the driving seat. The defence stood its ground though.
Both sides kept challenging for the line up to the half-time whistle and with quick hands, keeping the ball alive along the line it was the Wire who converted opportunity into points, Blake Austin taking the pass to find the gap score.
Two minutes into the second half and the Wire extended their lead, Lineham sliding over in the corner despite the best efforts of the defence to hold him up. Patton’s conversion attempt was short from the touchline.
Ben Murdoch-Masila was next to score as he set his eyes on the line, barging forward to reach out for the try on 53 minutes.
The home side hit straight back with a try of their own just a minute later. Ben Crooks taking full advantage of a loose ball to race over for the score from over half-way. The kick was missed.
As the final quarter got underway they struck again, Drinkwater finding the space through the line to score Rovers’ second.
And a third came with 10 minutes left on the clock. On the back of a penalty Rovers had the advantage from 20 metres out. A grubber to the in-goal under the posts was tracked well and Drinkwater was there first to get the try.
But Wire came back with their response, a try for Ben Currie to put them out of reach for a while longer.
Rovers weren’t done and kept pushing to the end, Hall crossing for a try with less than three minutes to go and they kept on going but Wire did just enough to hold on.
FOUR POINTERS
The Victors
The visitors Warrington booked their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals in Bolton with the draw still yet to be done.
As at this point, St Helens still need to play Wakefield Trinity and the same with Bradford Bulls with Halifax.
Concerning Times
The game could’ve been different if Hull KR were more clinical in their chances. Such as in the last 10 minutes in the first half Warrington were down to 11 men.
It’s at these moments where the underdogs need to make the most off and Rovers couldn’t do just that.
Lack of Discipline
To add to that it could’ve been a different game for the visitors if Rovers took advantage of their temper.
However despite most of the decisions going against them, the Wire hold on…Just.
Return to Super League
After the weekend has finished, the cup competition won’t return to the 27th and 28th of July.
Warrington will continue their chase for the League Leaders Shield. Whereas Hull KR will push for safety in the league and finish as high as they can in September.
THE RESULT
Hull KR + 22
Tries: Crooks (55), Drinkwater (62,70), Hall (77)
Goals: Shaw (3)
Drop Goals: n/a
Warrington + 28
Tries: Mamo (12), Austin (40), Lineham (43), Murdoch-Masila (52), Currie (73)
Goals: Patton (4)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR: Hall, Shaw, Linnett, Keinhorst, Crooks, Drinkwater, McGuire, Maria, Addy Masoe, Lawler, Hauraki, Mulhern.
Interchanges: Atkin, Garbutt, Lannon, Harrison.
Warrington: Mamo, Lineham, Goodwin, King, Charnley, Austin, Patton, Hill, D Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Philbin.
Interchanges: J Clark, Murdoch-Masila, Akauola, Davis.
