Warrington 24 Hull KR 22: Hodgson pinches win for Wolves

Warrington were trailing 22-18 when the Wolves finally found a way through a tremendous Rovers rearguard action in the closing stages.

A crisp passing movement along the line ended with stand-off Lee Briers sending Hodgson crashing over to level the scores at 22-22.

Hodgson, signed from Huddersfield Giants this season, then kept his nerve to land the tricky conversion to the right of the posts and gave Warrington their first win of the new Super League campaign,

Rovers were forced into making a late change when Ben Fisher picked up an injury in the warm up which saw Josh Hodgson promoted to the hooker’s role and Jason Netherton a late call-up n the substitutes bench.

Warrington were quick out of the blocks and started in impressive fashion as they opened up a 10-0 advantage in as many minutes.

The Wolves were ahead after just three minutes when a long pass from Lee Briers allowed Australian winger Joel Monaghan to crash over in the corner for his second try of the season.

As the home side applied all the early pressure they turned it into more points six minutes later when Michael Monaghan sent Richie Myler racing clear to score and Brett Hodgson added the conversion to make it 10-0.

The visitors’ defence continued to repel wave after wave of Warrington attacks and then with their first real venture into opposition territory came away with points as Blake Green’s grubber kick was pounced upon by Clint Newton to touch down and Michael Dobson converted.

Rovers drew level when Green wrestled his way out of Brett Hodgson’s tackle to crash over and then hit the front. Josh Hodgson’s pass was scooped up by Newton who crossed for his second try of the game to which Dobson added the conversion to give the visitors a 16-10 lead.

But right on the stroke of half time Warrington grabbed their third try when Ryan Atkins rounded opposite centre Jake Webster and managed to squeeze over in the corner.

Hull KR increased their lead just four minutes after the restart with a super move involving Green, Newton and Webster which resulted in Shaun Briscoe going over for the try. Dobson’s conversion made it 22-14.

Warrington then started to dominate territory and possession and cut the lead again midway through the half when Riley crossed in the corner to make it 22-18 and set up a thrilling finale before Brett Hodgson’s dramatic late winner.

Warrington: Hodgson, Riley, Blythe, Atkins, J. Monaghan, Briers, Myler, Morley, M. Monaghan, Carvell, Anderson, Westwood, Solomona. Substitutes: Harrison, Higham, Wood, Mitchell.

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Webster, Colbon, Green, Dobson, Vella, Hodgson, Clinton, Newton, Galea, Murrell. Substitutes: Watts, Wheeldon, Cockayne, Netherton. Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).