Smith up beat despite defeat

WARRINGTON Wolves’ Head Coach Tony Smith remained up beat despite seeing his team edged out 28-36 by Hull KR in the final game of the Murrayfield Magic Weekend in Edinburgh.
Warrington looked the better team as they built up a 16-6 lead after just 15 minutes but there is still a big question mark over their defensive capabilities, particularly when defending their own try line.
But despite the defeat Smith (pictured) was “not too critical” of the performance from a team missing the experience of Skipper Adrian Morley and playmaker Lee Briers.
With Louis Anderson also missing Paul Wood was also a late casualty, with Matty Blythe drafted in as his replacement.
The Wolves had the best possible start on just four minutes when Chris Hicks latched on to a long pass from stand-off Chris Bridge to go over in the corner and then added the extras for a 6-0 lead.
But four minutes later Rovers were on level terms after Paul Rauhihi was penalised for interference at the play the ball. From the resulting penalty Shaun Brisco burst through a paper thin defence as Michael Dobson added the extras.
Warrington hit back with a great flowing move which saw Grix make a great break allowing Michael Monaghan to go over but Hicks was wide with the conversion.
Then on 15 minutes a superb delayed pass by Monaghan allowed Vinnie Anderson to go in at the corner, with Hicks landing a great conversion to make it 16-6.
But another penalty allowed Rovers to capitalise as Dobson went over on 22 minutes and added the conversion to make it 16-12. defences remained on top for the rest of the half.
Another cheap penalty early in the second half allowed Rovers field position for Michael Vella to score and Dobson’s conversion gave Rovers a lead they were never going to relinquish.
On 50 minutes Scot Murrell landed the first 40-20 kick of the entire weekend and from the resulting scrum Clint Newton went over with Dobson adding the extras to make it 16-24.
Warrington hit back as Hicks went in at the corner for his second try after good work by Jon Clarke and Hicks added the two to bring the scores to 22-24.
But Warrington conceeded another penalty 10 minutes from time which Ben Galea capitalised on to score, with Dobson again on target to open up an eight point lead.
A try saving tackle by Chris Riley gave the Wolves a lift as they immediately went upfield with a beautiful pass from Monaghan sending Anderson over for his second try. Hicks kept his cool to land the conversion and close the gap to 28-30 to set up a grand stand finish.
But it was Rovers who clinched the victory when the Wolves lost possession allowing Galea in for his second try with Dobson again on target to make it 28-36.
After the game Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “I can not be too critical of that performance and there was some good Rugby League.
“If we play like that on a regular basis we will win more games than we lose.
“I am pretty confident about what we are doing and considering we were missing some experienced players I think the young lads did well against a team which is second in the competition.”