Wolves survive Rovers rally

Warrington survived a furious Hull KR comeback to win 29-28 at Craven Park on Sunday.

The Wolves made a flying start, surging into a 28-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes of the match with five quick tries.

Rovers crossed the whitewash just once in the first half, but the home side launched an astonishing fightback just after the hour mark.

As the pressure mounted Hull KR ran in four more tries in the closing stages, but a drop-goal from Warrington's Michael Monaghan in amongst the attacks eventually proved to be the crucial point which won the match for the visitors.

The victory saw Paul Cullen's side move above their opponents into fifth place in the early-season Super League table.

Fast start

The Wolves, without injured stars Chris Bridge and Matt King, had hit the ground running, crossing the line after just three minutes when Martin Gleeson grabbed the opening try.

Chris Hicks scored a second on nine minutes before two tries in three minutes from Paul Johnson (18) and Ben Westwood (21) made it 22-0.

A shell-shocked Rovers side were powerless to stop Warrington and Hicks completed his brace on 25 minutes which, when converted by Lee Briers, made it 28-0.

Jake Webster finally gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a try six minutes before half time but the hosts went in 28-4 behind at the interval.

The second half started quietly and it wasn't until the 63rd minute when the score changed with Ben Cockayne touching down for Rovers, Scott Murrell adding the extras.

When Ben Fisher crossed the line three minutes later the game suddenly had a different feel about it with the Robins rocking the Wolves.

Monaghan then sent a drop-goal over six minutes from time which looked to have sealed the match with Rovers now more than two converted tries behind.

However, they refused to give up hope Kris Welham going over for the Robins on 75 minutes and when Ben Galea followed him a minute later, Murrell converting both, there was just a point in it.

The Wolves managed to hold out in the closing stages, though, Monaghan's one-pointer proving to be the difference as Rovers' brave efforts fell just short of rescuing the game.