Warrington’s Stefan Ratchford inspires thrilling win against Hull KR

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/08/warrington-hull-kr-super-league-match-report

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The sensational start to the Super League season continued apace when Warrington and Hull Kingston Rovers served up a Sunday thriller in the spring sunshine.

The Rugby Football League’s pre-season mantra was that “every minute mattered” – and on the strength of the first four weeks of the competition that wish is being realised.

The hallmark of a good game is not always in the skill level which, to be fair, was of the highest quality on occasions here. However, a game where the result is never confirmed until the very end creates tension, drama and excitement. Warrington’s victory had all of that.

It seemed to be one of those rare afternoons where both sides could be satisfied with their afternoon’s work, in truth. While the Wire will be delighted with a start to the season that has now brought three wins from four, Hull KR will be heartened by their two recent performances against title-chasing sides.

A guide to how much they are improving is that in a pre-season friendly here just six weeks ago, Rovers were dismantled 40-0 in a ridiculously one-sided performance.

Even though they could not back up the previous Sunday’s victory against Wigan Warriors, there was enough in this Hull KR performance to suggest they have plenty to be positive about as the season rolls on. One win from four is far from perfect but Chris Chester’s men seem to be steadily progressing, led by the silky smooth Terry Campese, who again was impressive.

“I thought we deserved more for the effort we put in. We dominated for big periods of the game but take nothing away from Warrington, they’re a class side,” Chester, the Hull KR coach, said.

Warrington continue to keep up with the pacesetters with an ultimately well-earned win. Led by the creativguile and ity of Stefan Ratchford, and the brute force from international forwards in Ashton Sims and Chris Hill, they bounced back from defeat to Catalans Dragons the previous weekend.

“We were good in patches; all of our game was a bit patchy and there were a few areas that made us grimace for a little while,” said Tony Smith, the demanding Warrington coach.

Even though eight points was the winning margin, Warrington were never really able to get out of sight until a late Ben Currie try. They fell behind early on thanks to the impressive Josh Mantellato touching down but both teams being reduced to 12 men thanks to a fracas in midfield spurred the home side into life.

Whilst Sims and Tyrone McCarthy sat out the next 10 minutes, the hosts tore away with three tries in nine minutes, the pick coming from the winger Matthew Russell. Suddenly the home side led 14-6.

Hull KR hit back to reduce the gap to just two at the break as Mantellato scored again, before Kevin Larroyer nudged the visitors back in front with a well-worked try after the break. Warrington’s resolve and match-winning ability was being tested but they showed what they are made of when tries from Gary Wheeler and another from Russell – both courtesy of fine play from Ratchford – handed the initiative back to the home side.

Graeme Horne offered late hope for Rovers with a smart finish to make it 26-24 but the telling try finally arrived six minutes from time when Currie scampered over and claimed the points.

Warrington Ratchford; Penny, Currie, Monaghan, Russell; O’Brien, Wheeler; Sims, Clark, Hill, Philbin, Laithwaite, Westwood. Interchange Higham, Asotasi, Evans, King

Tries Russell 2, Monaghan, Philbin, Wheeler, Currie. Goals Ratchford 4.

Hull KR Cockayne; Mantellato, Welham, Goulding, Sio; Campese, Kelly; Walker, Boudebza, Allgood, McCarthy, Blair, Burke. Interchange Green, Horne, Larroyer, Dixon.

Tries Mantellato 2, Larroyer, Horne. Goals Mantellato 4.

Attendance 9,587. Referee J Child (Dewsbury).