Late try denies Wolves win against twelve man Hull KR

A late try from twelve man Hull KR denied Warrington the chance to move level on points with second placed Wigan.

The Wolves had come from behind to lead 16-10 with three minutes to play against a Rovers team which had to play more than 40 minutes of the game with a man down following James Green’s first half dismissal.

The draw denied Warrington the chance going level on points with second placed Wigan in the Super League table.

In a closely fought first half Warrington thought they had broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when winger Matty Russell went over, only for the referee to rule it was a forward pass.

Two minutes later Chris Hill was tackled just short of the line as Warrington looked for the opening points of the half.

More pressure from Warrington failed to find a way through and then on 38 minutes Green was shown red for a high shot on cox.

Remarkably despite being a man down and having been under pressure for much of the half it was the home side who took the lead just before the break as space opened up for Donaldson to go under the sticks and Cockayne adding the extras to make it 6-0 at the interval.

Five minutes after the re-start Rovers extended their lead as Minns went in at the corner. Cockayne couldn’t add the extras from out wide making it 10-0.

Warrington hit back on 50 minutes when Russell went in at the corner, but Ratchford couldn’t add the extras from out wide.

Then on 56 minutes a good dummy by Brad Dwyer saw the live wire hooker go under the sticks, giving Ratchford an easy conversion to level the scores.

Warrington continued to push as Chris Sandow kicked forcing a drop out and with the clock ticking down Dec Patton showed a good dummy to send Jack Hughes over on 74 minutes with Ratchford making it 10-16.

But with just three minutes left on the clock Rovers secured an unlikely draw as Thornley scored off his own grubber kick and Cockayne added the extras.

After the match Wolves’ Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “Effort wise Hull KR were fantastic and won on spirit. It was a frustrating game for both sides.

“There were handling and discipline issues for both sides. It wasn’t a classic by any means. I am not fussed about point or no point. I am more concerned about the performance and that was pretty average from us.”

Hull KR (6) 16
Tries: Donaldson, Minns, Thornley Goals: Cockayne 2
Warrington Wolves (0) 16
Tries: Russell, Dwyer, Hughes Goals: Ratchford 2