Smith pragmatic over end of Warrington’s unbeaten run

The Wolves had a try by Richie Myler disallowed on the hour as they trailed 20-18 and they eventually went down 26-18 to defending champions Leeds at Headingley.

“I thought we did okay in many areas,” said Smith, who agreed with video referee Ian Smith’s decision to rule out Myler’s try.

“We probably didn’t control the ball as much as we would have liked but we were good on our own tryline.

“It was fine-line stuff, the result could easily have gone the other way.

“We made them work hard for their points, but they obviously have attacking players that are dangerous.

“We had to expend a lot of energy early in the game and it counted against us later in the game.”

The Wolves trailed 12-0 after conceding early tries to Danny McGuire and youngster Zak Hardaker but fought back to level at half-time thanks to touchdowns from Matty Blythe and Chris Hill.

Kallum Watkins (Leeds) and Ben Westwood (Warrington) touched down early in the second half but Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield edged his side back in front with a penalty and substitute hooker Liam Hood pounced for the match-winning try on his home debut.

The win lifts Leeds to within a point of pace-setting Warrington with a game in hand and understandably delighted their coach Brian McDermott.

“There’s a long way to go yet but we’re pleased with that,” he said. “Some parts of that performance were very strong and some were very scratchy.

“It lets us know we’re heading in the right direction, we’re gathering some momentum.

“Some of the things we’re practising in training are coming off.

“It puts a smile on our face but we’re not punching the air yet,” he said.

“We didn’t beat Warrington in the league last year and it was something we wanted to put right.

“Both teams were a bit off with the ball but both were outstanding in defence.

“In the second half I thought we upped the ante and we did need to.

“I felt Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai gave us a platform and Rob Burrow terrorised them all night.”

Warrington, who went into the game without Brett Hodgson, Ben Harrison, Michael Monaghan and Chris Bridge, lost full-back Stefan Ratchford with a shoulder injury early in the second half.

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