Report: Hull KR 22-28 Warrington

It was a tense finish but Warrington took a huge step towards Challenge Cup glory on Friday night by dumping Hull KR out of the competition and moving into the semi finals at Bolton.
Steve Price named the same starting 13 as in last week's win over Wigan, the only change to the 17 being Matt Davis coming in for Danny Walker on the bench. 

It was actually a poor start to the game for Wire, with Blake Austin failing to find touch from a penalty. However, a strong, high kick from Declan Patton was brilliantly chased down by Patton himself and then he managed to force Hull KR's Ryan Shaw over the line for a drop-out. The resulting drop-out led to the first try of the game, with a lovely delayed pass from Patton finding Jake Mamo, who ran into the space to score his fourth try of the season - his first since Round Six. Patton converted the try and it was 0-6 after ten minutes. 

Then came an unbelievable defensive effort from Warrington. Tom Lineham, sporting a new bald head, was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Jimmy Keinhorst, and KR had a great chance to score. Ben Currie made an absolutely jaw-dropping tackle to deny what seemed to be a certain try for George Lawler - a huge moment. A series of Wire penalties and knock-ons continued to facilitate KR pressure, pressure which further intensified when Patton found himself in the sin bin for being offside when on a team warning. Even with 11 men, Wire defended outstandingly well to keep KR out, despite the Yorkshire side coming close on three occasions. Austin managed the game well during this period, kicking to touch on a few occasions to kill the time when we did have the ball. Lineham and Patton returned to the field but the Rovers chances continued, with Jack Hughes and Mamo doing very well to prevent a Mitch Garbutt try. Finally, Wire had some possession and territory and made it count on the stroke of half time. Great work on the flank to keep the ball alive culminated in Goodwin setting Austin free, and the stand off raced through to score for the third game in a row, and try number 17 of 2019. Patton kicked the conversion right on the stroke of half time for a 0-12 lead at the break, following an enthralling 40 minutes which was all about terrific defence and two quality tries.

The lead was extended early in the second period Austin and Currie combined to send Lineham over in the corner, beating Ben Crooks to touch down for yet another try in the city of Hull for the former Hull FC winger. Patton couldn't add the extras from a wide angle, though the lead was now up to 0-16. Wire moved into an even more comfortable position when an attack down the left side led to Austin playing Ben Murdoch-Masila in, who powered home for a fourth Warrington try near the posts, a try which Patton had no trouble converting for a 0-22 lead. At this point the game seemed secure, but when Goodwin had the ball stolen from him, Ben Crooks had no trouble making up the yards and touching down to get KR on the board, though Ryan Shaw was unable to convert, so the score was 4-22. 

Poor discipline from Murdoch-Masila and an unnecessary offload from Austin gave KR the ball back, and good play from Craig Hall and Danny McGuire sent Josh Drinkwater over. The Australian beat the challenge of Mamo to give Tim Sheens' side some hope. Shaw converted for a 10-22 score, though Wire were given a golden opportunity to put three scores between themselves and KR when awarded a penalty for obstruction. Unfortunately, Patton couldn't kick the penalty, and the ball failed to even go dead, giving KR possession of the football. Patton then got himself into a touch of bother when he was displeased with a late challenge on him. The scrum half was lucky not to see red for an aggressive reaction to the situation, and this behaviour led to a KR penalty which in turn, led to a third try for the Robins. A short kick from McGuire was touched down under the posts by Drinkwater, with Shaw converting for a six-point game. 

Mercifully, a high kick from Austin was well taken by Toby King. King fed the ball back to Austin who sidestepped and played in Currie, who crossed for his third try of the season and marked a tremendous individual display. Patton had no trouble from the tee this time, and the Wire now had a 12 point lead and looked to be in the semi finals with seven minutes left. There was more drama left in this one though, with an Austin knock-on leading to KR having possession. A great dummy from Hall led him to the try line where he touched down with ease, and Shaw had a simple task of reducing the arrears to six points again. Into the final minute, the Yorkshire side were piling on the pressure, and McGuire booted the ball high, but it was taken excellently by King, and KR's final attack went out of play as Wire confirmed a place in the semi finals for the second year running.

It was a satisfying night in East Yorkshire for Steve Price. The first 60 minutes of the game were exceptional defensively and had plenty of quality going forward too. To not concede a point when down to 11 men and under constant pressure is admirable, though we wouldn't have been down to 11 but for moments of poor discipline from Lineham and Patton. Discipline was an issue which continued in the second half too. As for KR's scoring streak, that was surprising as we hung on so well in the first half with two men down, yet conceded 22 points with our full compliment. Perhaps it was tiredness kicking in from the defensive effort early on. There were some outstanding performances from Ben Currie and Jake Mamo, while Sitaleki Akauola and Blake Austin were very good too. This was probably the best we've seen Declan Patton play barring a few discipline issues.

Into the semi finals we go. 80 minutes away from Wembley...

It's always our year.

Daniel (@aloosewire)