Super League: Warrington 34-6 Hull KR – Wire brush aside the reigning champions

Betfred Super League

Warrington (22) 34

Try: Webster, Harrison, Ashton 2, Walker, Philbin Aim: Irwin 5

Hull KR (0) 12

Try: Gildart, Bachelor Aim: Martin 2

Sin-bin: Lewis (72)

Warrington Wolves rediscovered their early-season form by dominating Super League champions Hull KR to move within two points of second place.

Three defeats in their previous four games had raised doubts about Wear’s play-off credentials but they allayed those fears as Lachlan Webster, James Harrison, Matty Ashton and Danny Walker put them virtually out of sight by the break.

Joe Philbin celebrated his return to action with another in the second half and after Oliver Gildart struck back, Ashton made his Warrington try two on the night and a second late score to make the total 101.

The defeat sees the Robins now lose three of their last four, risking relegation from the top six, with rivals Leigh Leopards set to start next.

With both sides badly needing a win to revive their respective flagging bids for the play-offs, Robins boss Willie Peters admitted before the game that defeat would likely end their defense of the League Leaders’ Shield which they won in such style last summer.

There was little sign of that panache at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, as they started well but misfired at crucial moments, and 19-year-old Wolves full-back Webster punished them with his first Super League try.

Harrison cut through a scruffy defense to extend the lead and, after Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis was brilliantly held up in goal by Albert Hoppoet, Ashton scored his 100th try for the club.

Walker was soon on the back of another goal after Tofofoa Siple ran through a gaping hole in the visitors’ defence.

The Robins tried to raise their game early in the second half but Ware again soaked it up and led 28-0 as Philbin returned from a five-game injury lay-off.

Gildart used a superb Jack Broadbent pass to finally get the away side on the scoreboard, but Lewis’ growing frustration finally showed as he sin-binned Ewan Irwin for a late challenge, who kicked the resulting penalty.

Ashton added his second try of the afternoon before James Batchelor grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Warrington: Webster; Ashton, King, J Smith, Hoppoet; Irwin, Hayes; Byrne, Walker, Thomas, Holroyd, Harrison, Currie

exchange: Sipley, Bentley, Philbin, Tangino.

Hull KR: the morgue; Davies, Martin, Gildart, Booth; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Lawton, Batchelor, Minchella.

exchange: Ammon, Broadbent, Luckley, Dezaria.

Referee: Liam Moore