The Robins scored four tries but it wasn’t enough against Sam Burgess’ side
Hull KR’s Rhyse Martin is tackled by Warrington.(Image: SW Pix)
Hull KR missed the opportunity to move up to third in the Super League table as they were beaten 34-28 by Warrington Wolves at Craven Park.
The Robins were overpowered by the Wolves on the night, who scored six tries to KR’s four in east Hull.
Albert Hopoate scored two tries, with efforts also coming from James Bentley, Tof Sipley, Liam Byrne and George Williams and that was enough to see off KR, who touched down through Mikey Lewis, Karl Lawton, Dean Hadley and Tevita Pangai Jr. The home side remain in fifth, knowing they still need at least two wins to cement their play-off status.
Rovers were given the opportunity to take an early lead against the Wolves as Arthur Mourgue was caught high within kicking range and they took it, with Martin duly slotting the two points.
However, the opening stages of the contest largely belonged to the visitors with Williams pulling the strings on his second game back from a long-term neck injury.
Sam Burgess’ side probed and asked questions of the Robins with Jack Broadbent and Lewis being forced into action to clear up the danger.
However, one lapse in concentration from KR was all Warrington needed to score the first try of the game through Hopoate on the wing. Bunching up in the middle of the park, KR’s defence was left outnumbered out wide as Warrington spread it and Joe Burgess could do little to prevent Hopoate touching down in the corner.
Warrington scored another around about the half hour mark as Williams hit Bentley on the short ball before watching his back-rower cruise through the hole on Peta Hiku’s inside shoulder and over.
Rovers hit back and they did it after another high tackle on Mourgue. This time KR ran the ball and Jez Litten found the run of Lewis with a delicate chip in behind Ewan Irwin, with the England stand-off touching down.
And, KR hit the front on the half-time hooter as Lawton shoved his way over through the middle after another smart kick forward from Litten.
Warrington hit back immediately after the break, capitalising on a Burgess knock on as Danny Walker put Sipley over from close range.
Rovers levelled things up through the boot of Mourgue but Wire hit the front once more after an obstruction penalty, with Ewan Irwin kicking it.
However, when Lewis’ kick-off sailed out into touch on the full, Warrington went up the other end and stretched their advantage with Liam Byrne brushing off Sam Luckley and Mourgue to touch down.
Williams then all but made sure of the result, showing a turn of pace to beat Jai Whitbread, Litten and Mourgue before touching down under the posts.
Mikey Lewis watched the final eight minutes of the game from the sin bin after catching Irwin with a stray boot in his attempts to charge down a kick.
Hopoate collected Irwin’s kick to touch down in the corner late on but Hadley and Pangai Jr rounded off proceedings with a consolation efforts.