PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
WARRINGTON Wolves’ recent revival was brought to an end with a 34-10 defeat at Hull.
In a repeat of last season’s Challenge Cup final, which the Airlie Birds also won, the Wolves were never at the races as they missed out on the chance to climb in to the top eight.
It took four minutes for Hull to take the lead, Jake Connor scoring off Marc Sneyd’s kick, and it was soon 12-0 as Mane Fonua pounced at the end of a seven tackle set.
Stefan Ratchford, fresh from his call-up to the England squad for next season’s international against Samoa Down Under, got Warrington on the board with a lovely cut out pass that found Matty Russell.
And then the game turned completely as Sika Manu was sin-binned for a nasty looking on tackle on Ryan Atkins which many thought he was fortunate not to receive a red card.
Warrington wasted no time taking advantage, Joe Westerman scoring against his former club and it was 12-10.
Hull weathered the storm in the 10 minutes they were a man down, and they came out of the other end two points better off, Sneyd tagging on a penalty on 33 minutes for 14-10, which is how it remained at half-time.
It looked like being a dream start to the second half for the Wolves when Jack Hughes crossed within a minute of the restart, but it was ruled out by the video referee for obstruction.
In the end it was Hull that would get the scoring underway after the break, full-back Jamie Shaul taking Connor’s pass over for a try after Hull had forced a drop out.
Then came the gamebreaking passage. Sneyd added two more to their lead with a penalty, and then barely a minute later kicked a 40/20 from which Hull were able to add their fourth try and it was 28-10.
That knocked the wind out of Warrington’s sails, and Hull were able to see the game out relatively comfortably, and even managed to put the icing on the cake five minutes from time when Albert Kelly backed up Fonua’s interception to score his second try of the night.
After the game Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “After a poor start I thought we did really well to get back into by half time.
“I was a little disappointed with the Jack Hughes No Try decision, but after that we really struggled to get hold of the ball.
“I thought Fonua was outstanding for Hull and we struggled to contain him.
“Our kicking game was very average tonight. When we have to defend as much as we did tonight it makes it harder to attack with fluency.”
Meanwhile Kurt Gidley suffered a burst ear drum and Joe Westerman has a nerve problem in his neck. Smith also reported that Clark has a tight hamstring although he should be ok for next week’s visit of St Helens.
He added: “We are also fortunate Ryan Atkins wasn’t seriously injured too.”
Hull: Shaul, Fonua, Connor, Tuimavave, Michaels, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Washbrook, Green, Manu, Minichiello, Thompson. Subs: Downs, Griffin, Turgut, Fash.
Warrington: Ratchford, Russell, Evans, Atkins, Lineham, Brown, Patton, Hill, Gidley, Sims, Julien, Hughes, Westerman. Subs: Cooper, Dwyer, Savelio, Philbin.
