Warrington boss Daryl Powell hails Joe Philbin's display in comeback win

12 May 2023 , 22:17

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Josh McGuire scores for Warrington Wolves as they beat Hull KR (Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

WARRINGTON boss Daryl Powell hailed his side’s resilience as they overcame an early deficit to end Hull KR’s six-match winning run.

The leaders were far from their best but showed real character to bounce back from going 12-0 down in a pulsating Super League encounter. Wolves captain Stefan Ratchford slotted a 68th minute penalty to put his side 14-12 ahead - just two minutes after KR’s Mikey Lewis saw his effort hit a post. Matty Ashton’s late try and a George Williams drop goal sealed a hard-fought victory in an epic contest.

Powell said: “We lost our composure in the first half and made quite a few errors. The weight of that possession and pressure was too much for us. Hull KR started getting too many offloads away and we had to regroup but we dominated for large parts of the second period.

“It was a tough game. Hull KR have clearly got something going on there. We had to work hard. Joe Philbin was unbelievable and Sam Kasiano and Matt Dufty were great off the bench. We needed to win and found a way to do it.”

Rovers - who would have drawn level with Wolves at the top with another win - were sensational in the first half despite missing injured playmakers Jordan Abdull, Lachlan Coote and Rowan Milnes. They tore into the lead with converted efforts from Ethan Ryan and Kane Linnett. But Josh McGuire’s first try in Warrington colours, improved by Ratchford, got the hosts back in it just before the break. Ben Currie’s converted try levelled matters at the start of the second period before Lewis and Ratchford exchanged penalties.

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Rovers will rue not going 18-0 up when Jez Litten went through in the 23rd minute only for Josh McGuire’s brilliant try-saving tackle to deny Elliot Minchella. But coach Willie Peters also bemoaned Matt Parcell’s HIA two minutes before the break. KR’s influential hooker - who didn’t return - was furious with referee Ben Thaler for missing an alleged foul.

Warrington's Matty Ashton seals the win against Hull KR (Martin Rickett/PA Wire) (PA)

Peters said: “Matty seems to think it was a forearm. I didn’t see it but I'm not sure how you can go down and be concussed if there's not something. It's a big moment in the game. And if we’d gone 18-0 up it could have been different. It was there to be won. But I’m really proud of the boys given all the adversity thrown at us in the game and before it.”

David Craven