Hull FC were beaten at Warrington.
Harvey Barron scores for Hull FC.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Warrington Wolves did enough to topple injury-hit Hull FC on Friday night, producing a second-half comeback to record a 12-4 victory in what was a scrappy and untidy Super League game.
The Wire had two tries from Josh Smith to thank, with the centre’s second coming in the game’s final minute – ending Hull’s resilience after what was another gritty display, albeit in defeat.
The Black and Whites showed plenty of spirit and resilience once again but ultimately lacked the quality when it mattered most. That’s the brutal reality of top-flight rugby league, with Andy Last’s side ruing some missed chances to take what was an ugly contest by the scruff of its neck.
Hull defended well throughout and got the numbers in to repel and frustrate Warrington, but at the other end, they couldn’t break through to build on a 4-0 half-time lead. Ultimately, it was the Wire who then hit back to gain another league win and keep up their chase on league leaders Leeds Rhinos.
Heading over the Pennines, the Black and Whites were without 14 players due to injury and suspension, but they did welcome back Herman Ese’ese for the first time this year. Elsewhere, Amir Bourouh and Matty Laidlaw returned to the side, with Aidan Sezer back in the fold after being dropped for the Leigh game.
And it was Last’s depleted outfit that came out firing early on. They defended resiliently, and at the other end, they were the side to strike first, capitalising on a Wire error to score through Harvey Barron. The winger finished superbly in the corner after a free-flowing move, but that was as good as the first half got.
Hull continued to scramble on defence. They got the numbers in and drifted across the defensive line accordingly. They were gritty and at the other end, they could, and perhaps should, have added to their lead.
The visitors had the chances, but that final pass was lacking, and none more so than after a Sezer break, with Marc Sneyd first to the Hull skipper’s pass and keeping his own side – who played ten minutes a man down after Luke Thomas’s sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Harvie Hill – in touching distance.
In a first half that took over 50 minutes to complete – with lengthy captains’ challenge reviews causing delays – Hull continued to roll up their sleeves. Warrington thought they levelled the scores through Toby King, but the video referee ruled the try out in a play that saw Hull lose Zak Hardaker to a head knock and failed HIA. Ben Currie also went off after a heavy collision, with FC taking a 4-0 lead into the break.
It was Wire who hit back early in the second half. They frantically kept the ball alive on the last tackle, and after Liam Bryne, of all people’s kick, Josh Smith touched down in the corner. Sneyd’s touchline conversion then put Wire ahead.
Barron crossed over again after a pass from Moy, but the try was ruled out by the video ref for an obstruction on Sneyd. Hull kept knocking on the door; they won their third captain’s challenge of the night, overturning a live error call, but they couldn’t land the decisive blow.
Warrington then sealed victory in the final play of the game, with Leon Hayes kicking through for Smith to score his second and, with that, cement another win. They continue to fly high, but for valiant Hull, built of much sterner stuff these days, it’s now a fourth defeat in a row. It’s a cruel game at times.
Teams
Warrington Starting XIII: 35. Lachlan Webster; 5. Matty Ashton, 3. Toby King, 26. Josh Smith, 4. Albert Hopoate; 19. Leon Hayes, 7. Marc Sneyd; 21. Luke Thomas, 9. Danny Walker, 16. Liam Bryne; 22. Joe Philbin, 13. Ben Currie; 17. Jordan Crowther
Interchange: 14. Sam Powell, 15. Toafofoa Sipley, 32. Ewan Smith, 34. Kelepi Tanginoa. 18th Man: 29. Zach Gardner
Hull Starting XIII: 24. Logan Moy; 2. Harvey Barron, 4. Zak Hardaker, 32. Lloyd Kemp, 19. Tom Briscoe; 6. Jake Arthur, 7. Aidan Sezer; 38. Jeremiah Mata’utia, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Harvie Hill; 11. Joe Batchelor, 39. Ethan O’Neill; 14. Cade Cust
Interchange: 8. Herman Ese’ese, 25. Matty Laidlaw, 26. Hugo Salabio, 30. Will Kirby. 18th Man: 27. Callum Kemp
Scorers
Warrington Tries: Smith 2. Goals: Sneyd 2/2
Hull Tries: Barron. Goals: Hardaker 0/1
Scoring System: 0-4, HT, 6-4, 12-4, FT
Referee: Ryan Cox. Video Referee: Jack Smith
Attendance: 8,815