Warrington Wolves pull clear at Super League summit

WARRINGTON Wolves moved four points clear at the top of the Super League table with a hard-fought 21-14 win over Hull KR.

The Robins started the day in third place after five straight wins, as Daryl Powell’s side passed a stern test to earn their 10th win of the season and push them clear of their opponents on the night and Wigan, who suffered a home defeat to Leeds.

The scores were locked at 14-all going in to the last quarter of an hour, before Stefan Ratchford’s penalty put Warrington ahead for the first time.

A try from Matty Ashton with eight minutes to go gave them a six point advantage, and George Williams’ drop goal gave some breathing space for the final five minutes.

Warrington, who left Matt Dufty on the bench for the second successive game, had to fight back from a 12-0 deficit as tries from Tom Opacic and Kane Linnett put the visitors in front in the opening 20 minutes.

It took 34 minutes for Warrington to trouble the scorers, Australian forward Josh McGuire pouncing on Danny Walker’s kick to claim his first try for the club, and the score was 12-6 at half time.

Ben Currie’s converted try within six minutes of the restart levelled the scores, but Mikey Lewis’ penalty put Hull KR two in front before Ratchford’s equaliser.

The win gives Warrington a cushion at the top ahead of next week’s break from league action with a trip to Catalans in the Challenge Cup.

Warrington: Thewlis, Russell, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Bullock, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, McGuire, Harrison. Subs: Dufty, Clark, Kasiano, Philbin (Green)

Hull KR: Ryan, Kenny-Dowall, Opacic, C Hall, R Hall, Lewis, Litten, Hadley, Parcell, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella. Subs: Sue, Kennedy, Wood, Luckley (Storton)