Just got back now, really enjoyed the game.

Ratch had his arm in a sling after the game but did manage to clap the fans with both hands.
Kev Penny played well which was good to see, losing Ratch in the 1st minute (literally) threw our game plan.
Our defence was awesome, Hull scored in the corner and we held our line on a number of occasions against back to back sets.
Ben Currie was awesome both in defence and in attack with a couple of nice offloads in the tackle.
Rhys Evans tackled like a Tiger he was great and in my top 3 for MOM.
Ben Evans played well and deserves a spot next week.
Hilly was just Hilly.
Joels finger looked like it was dislocated and being a Rugby player just got the Physio to put in back in clapped his hands together (he really did) & just played on.

For me without a doubt if Ratch hadn't gone off with 40 seconds it would have been a bigger score, losing him did throw us for about 20 minutes & we put Kev at FB & then GOB.

Finally a good turn out from Warrington given the weather and game day.

Great to have a game like this so early in the season. I imagine Smith will learn alot more about his players from a game like this than a 30 odd point blow out.

The stats on the SL website show that it was as close the scoreline suggests. Darryl Clark perhaps the difference between the teams?

Also good to see a low penalty count that reflects well on two teams who both were tough in defense without having to resort to spoiling tactics or cheap cannonball / chicken-wing tricks.

Individual highlights from the stats for me:

Clark going from 4m last week to 144m this week with 8 tackle breaks and 44 tackles.
2nd row of Currie and Laithwaite amassing 97 tackles between them.
Benny Westwood growing into his central channel role with 21 carries for 171m and 34 tackles.


Mark Minichiello looks to be a good below the radar signing for Hull

As Paul wrote in a previous response, the drop goal from Gareth OBrien was brilliant.

He obviously had a look at the count down clock at the Wire end of the ground, & there were literally seconds left as he kicked the ball. Because of the distance he was standing from the posts....Aprox. 40 metres, none of the Hull players anticipated a drop goal, & couldn`t get anywhere near him

He hit the ball sweetly, & it sailed high between the posts. Given the height of the ball as it past over the cross bar, he would have scored it, if was stood on the halfway line.

He also got a very long 40/20 in the second half, & is starting to mature into the ball playing halfback that we need.

The early injury to Ratchford meant that the backline was disrupted. Initially we started with Kev Penny at fullback, while we were defending, & Gary Wheeler playing there when Wire had the ball. Later Gareth OBrien played there for the rest of the match, with Wheeler at halfback.

Very conservative style of rugby played by us tonight. Nowhere near as attractive to watch as our previous flamboyant free flowing passing game. Not sure if Tony Smith has decided we were making too many mistakes, & gifting possession to our opponents, & this is a step change to be a more successful team in the tight games in the play offs?

I couldn`t tell if Rhys Evans was in touch as he scored in the corner.....The In-goal touch definitely signalled for a try, but Bentham after pondering his decision, listened to the other touch judge.

We blew 6 points on the left wing, when Ryan Atkins ignored his supporting unmarked inside player, & went for the line himself, & was tackled over the line.

Very tough uncompromising game. Old school rugby, from both teams.

Good defence from Wire to hold out, & win, without adding any points in the second half.

You have to say that a win is a win, especially at a fired up Hull so early in the season.

However, to be held to a scoreless second half has lights flashing for me.

Good game last night and I thought you just about deserved it, slightly better especially your off load game, had we had Sa and Ellis maybe we could have sneaked it, but fair play to you for your defence and the drop goal.

Westwood (best back rower in SL) was fantastic along with Simms was a real handful. Clark looked very lively and scored a great try.

Disappointed we couldn't get a point, but happy with the effort and performance against a team that I reckon will be at least in the GF.

I thought that at the time but somebody else who was there told me that Ben Evans had overran the play and was stood in front of Atkins, hence it would have been called as a forward pass. I'd have taken that chance i think.

Don't be silly.

We might have been held to a scoreless second half but we controlled the game enough to win.

I was impressed with the fact TS appears to have listened and realised that we need to play controlling rugby some times. That's what wins trophies.

bet you were not at the match both teams played well

On the drive home I was saying why didn't Ryan slip the pass out but my friend also said he thought the player (think it was Ben Evans) had overrun the play.

Good effort last night. Especially after losing Ratchford. GOB filled in well at fullback and hit a sweet drop goal. We looked very solid in defence. Evans/Penny did well shutting hull down when they passed it wide. Currie had a great game. Especially up against Minichello.

I was right in line and it would have been forward, right decision from Atkins, just great scrambling defence by us.

Ah Ok. Right choice then.

Thanks

Thanks from me at the time I was screaming at Ryan 'Get it out', but it looks like he made the right choice.