Wolves leave it late
Brett Hodgson converted his own try three minutes from time to give Warrington a 24-22 win over Hull KR.
Last Updated: 20/02/11 5:57pm
Brett Hodgson got Warrington Wolves' season back on track by converting his own try three minutes from time to clinch a 24-22 victory over Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Warrington were trailing 22-18 when they finally found a way through the Rovers rearguard in the closing stages of an enteraining encounter.
A crisp passing movement along the line ended with stand off Lee Briers sending Hodgson crashing over to level the scores at 22-22.
And the Australian full-back, signed from Huddersfield Giants in the close-season, then kept his nerve to land the extras from the right of the posts and give the Wolves their first win of the new engage Super League campaign.
Depleted
Warrington were without Matt King, Chris Bridge, Simon Grix and Mike Cooper, who all picked up injuries in the opening day defeat to Huddersfield at Millennium Magic.
But Briers did make the starting line-up after recovering from his neck problem and Warrington welcomed back Chris Riley and Garreth Carvell after missing out on the Cardiff clash while Matty Blythe and David Solomona were given starting spots.
In contrast, Hull KR were set to field an unchanged line-up that were victorious against rivals Hull in the Welsh capital. But they were forced into making a late change when Ben Fisher picked up an injury in the warm up which saw Josh Hodgson promoted to the hooker's role and Jason Netherton a late call-up n the substitutes bench.
Warrington were quick out of the blocks and started in impressive fashion as they opened up a 10-0 advantage in as many minutes.
The Wolves were ahead after just three minutes when a long pass from Briers allowed Australian winger Joel Monaghan to crash over in the corner for his second try of the season.
As the home side applied all the early pressure they turned it into more points six minutes later when Michael Monaghan sent Richie Myler racing clear to score and Brett Hodgson added the conversion to make it 10-0.
The visitors' defence continued to repel wave after wave of Warrington attacks and then with their first real venture into opposition territory came away with points as Blake Green's grubber kick was pounced upon by Clint Newton to touch down and Michael Dobson converted.
Double strike
Rovers drew level on 27 minutes when Green wrestled his way out of Brett Hodgson's tackle to crash over and six minutes later they hit the front when Newton crossed for his second try of the game - to which Dobson added the conversion to give the visitors a 16-10 lead.
But right on the stroke of half time Warrington grabbed their third try of the half when Ryan Atkins rounded opposite centre Jake Webster and managed to squeeze over in the corner to cut Hull KR's lead to two points at 16-14 at half time.
Hull KR increased their lead just four minutes after the restart with a super move involving Green, Newton and Webster which resulted in Shaun Briscoe going over for the try. Dobson's conversion gave his side an eight-point cushion at 22-14.
Warrington then started to dominate territory and possession and cut the lead again midway through the half when Riley crossed in the corner to make it 22-18 and set up a thrilling finale.
The Rovers line led a charmed life at times in a thrilling climax to the game but the pressure finally told in the closing stages with Brett Hodgson's dramatic late winner.
