Wolves Rise To The Challenge At Kc
Hull FC 10 Warrington Wolves 24
By Rachel Arnett
Match Facts: Chris Riley made his 150th club appearance
Paul Wood made his 300th appearance for the Wolves
Warrington made their first of two trips to Humberside to take on the Black and Whites in round 4 before they return to face the Robins next week.
Last time the two sides met at the KC Stadium was back in round 1 last season with the tight game ending in a 20-all draw. The last clash between the teams was in the play-offs on the Wolves road to the Grand Final.
This time around saw Paul Wood and Chris Riley celebrate club milestones as Paul made his 300th appearance in primrose and blue, and Chris marked his 150th.
Both sides went into the game having started the new season in good form with 2 wins and a draw for the Wolves, and a win, draw and loss for the Airlie Birds. There was everything to play for with a place at the top of the table up for grabs for the Warrington side.
The Wolves line-up saw a few changes due to injury and suspension with Ben Currie and Tyrone McCarthy coming in on the bench.
The Hull 17 also saw a number of changes from last week with Holdsworth and Crookes out, Lineham and Tickle in.
The first half was a close affair with just one try apiece and the home side with their nose in front by a two-point conversion. The momentum of the game changed in the second forty as the Wolves broke away taking control adding to the scoreboard to secure victory. This win has taken them to the top of the table as they remain unbeaten so far this season,
The Wolves were first in attack with their set taking them past half way with a strong drive forward from Hill.
The home side backed this up with a strong first set of their own down the left wing but the kick was collected safely by Hodgson.
A penalty for the Wolves soon after set up the early lead for the visitors. Keeping the ball alive with quick hands over to the left saw space open up for Riley to cross for his first try of the evening. Hodgson's touchline conversion attempt drifted wide. 0-4 after five minutes.
Hull responded almost immediately. The Wolves did well to keep the home side out as they challenged the line but after being caught offside they presented Hull with the opportunity to equalise from 10 metres out through a try from Westerman, Crooks added the extras to nudge them in front 6-4 on 11 minutes.
This is how the score stayed for the remainder of the first half despite both teams piling on the pressure.
Briscoe came close following a run down the wing but a foot in touch put a stop to their possession. Waterhouse then crossed the line for the Wolves following a break from Joel Monaghan, a penalty 20 metres out and a cross kick from Michael Monaghan. The decision was transferred to the video referee who ruled no try, first tackle attack giving the Wolves another chance to pressure the line but Hull wrapped up the attack to deny a score on that occasion.
Opportunities arose for both sides as the ball was kept alive but the defensive lines proved too strong and neither side was able to capitalise. The Wolves went in 6-4 behind at half time.
A one-on-one ball steal by Myler seemed to be the turning point as the Wolves took control of the game in the second half. His grubber kick at the end of this set landed in the hands of the Hull defence but gave the visitors the control they needed.
The Wolves backed this up with a charge down and sprint by Atkins down the left. The kick on the last was fumbled but showed the desire of the visitors once again.
Both sides kept the ball alive with quick hands resulting in errors creeping in as they strived for the next score but it would be the Wolves who converted field position into points.
On 55 minutes a Myler kick to the in goal resulted in a drop out and from the resulting set Joel Monaghan touched down having collected a Ratchford kick to the right. This time Hodgson added the extras. 6-10.
This kick started a series of tries for the visitors. Riley was next over for his second taking a well-timed pass from Myler on his inside on 64 minutes.
Higham backed this up almost immediately flying over under the sticks following some great pace and quick hands down the middle initiated by a Michael Monaghan dummy and quick pass inside by Hodgson. Hodgson added the conversion to the latter to make it 6-20.
The Wolves then sealed the win on 68 minutes when Joel Monaghan touched down for his second collecting a kick as play moved from left to right. Ratchford's conversion attempt drifted to the side of the post. 6-24.
Hull responded with a try from Crooks after a video referee decision awarded the touchdown in the corner. Tickle's conversion was missed.
Both teams pushed the game to the final whistle building some pressure with their kicking game but time caught up with them and the match ended 10-24.
Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith said: "In the first half we felt we were a little bit off the pace of the game that we like to play, that can happen in games sometimes but that's not taking anything away from Hull as I thought they were really good in the first half and asked some questions of us. Both teams defended pretty well but there were just some signs from us, maybe it's the bus trip as sometimes when you sit on a bus for a couple of hours and it's cold and miserable you are not quite full of the energy you want to have.
"It looked like whichever team could lift from half time would possibly go away with it and get the spoils. Someone had to lift a bit as we were so evenly matched in that first half the game was singing out for someone to grab hold of it and fortunately on this occasion it was us.
"I don't like the fact that we weren't quite ourselves in the first half but that's what happens sometimes; we were trying individually rather than as a team. I couldn't fault the effort in the first half but in the second they gelled and communicated with each other, everyone knew what they were doing which is necessary to play well. It's nice to know we can lift when needed."
Hull FC
Shannon McDonnell, Tom Lineham, Ben Crooks, Kirk Yeaman, Tom Briscoe, Aaron Heremaia, Richard Horne, Mark O'Meley, Danny Houghton, Andy Lynch, Ben Galea, Joe Westerman, Chris Green
Subs: Danny Tickle, Jay Pitts, Paul Johnson, Richard Whiting
Tries:Westerman, Crooks
Goals:Crooks
Warrington
Brett Hodgson, Joel Monaghan, Rhys Evans, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley, Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler, Chris Hill, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Trent Waterhouse, Simon Grix, Mike Cooper
Subs:Micky Higham, Garreth Carvell, Ben Currie, Tyrone McCarthy
Tries: Riley (2), J Monaghan (2), Higham
Goals: Hodgson (2)
Half Time: 6-4
Full Time: 10-24
Attendance: 10,712
Games Pics Here (courtesy of Bob Brough)
24, Feb, 2013
