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Super League: Tony Smith and Lee Radford both full of praise after tough encounter

Image: Tony Smith: Pleased with the way his team played against Hull

Warrington coach Tony Smith was proud of his players after they overcame Hull FC in a "tough old game" to extend their winning run in Super League to eight matches.

The Wolves were made to work to maintain an unbeaten run at the KC Stadium that stretches back to 2007, battling back from an 8-6 deficit to triumph 24-18.

They gave us nothing in the first half - I think their first error was 55 minutes into the game - but I didn't think they troubled us defensively.
Tony Smith

Callum Lancaster marked his home debut with a hat-trick of tries for the Black and Whites, but Smith was delighted with the defensive efforts of his team in tough conditions.

"I thought we were terrific," he said. "Hull had a right dig and the conditions and the environment and a hostile crowd made it a tough old game but I thought my players handled it well.

"They gave us nothing in the first half - I think their first error was 55 minutes into the game -  but I didn't think they troubled us defensively. I thought our defence in the first half was awesome, as good as I've seen this year probably.

"I was really proud of them in the second half as well."

Positives

Despiting missing the chance to make up ground on eighth-placed Widnes in the table, Hull coach Lee Radford was able to pick the positives out of the defeat.

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"It's frustrating but it was an outstanding performance," Radford said. "We turn up every week and have a crack but we just don't have that craft we need to take the points.

"I thought it was a great simulation for a play-off game. We needed to win to push for the eight and we were playing top-four opposition in front of a big crowd and unfortunately we came up just short."

Lancaster's treble was certainly a highlighy for the hosts, taking his tally to eight in just four matches.

"The kid can finish, there is no doubt about that," Radford added. "We're going to work on his back field and his general skill needs improving but he can score."

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