By IAN JUDSON
HULL FC slipped to a heartbreaking defeat at the home of joint Betfred Super League leaders Warrington in a dire game – but one that was full of grit and determination.
Hull took an early lead and held it until well into the second half but their old failing of a lack of a real cutting edge cost them far too many chances again.
Try as they might, the Black & Whites just couldn’t make numerous chances count, before falling to a late double from Wolves centre Josh Smith.
Team News:
Andy Last brought blockbuster prop Herman Ese’Ese back on the bench for his first appearance of the season.
Club captain Aidan Sezer returned to the starting line-up after the scrum half was dropped for the visit to Leigh Leopards.
Cade Cust started at loose-forward, with Zak Hardaker who deputised there, moving to his preferred centre position.
The Match:
Both sides remembered the late John Kear before the kick off with the former Hull Challenge Cup winning coach having died the day after the recent Wembley final.
A successful captain’s challenge handed Hull territory and possession and the pressure increased as the home side knocked on with a desperate interception attempt in their own danger zone.
Eventually the pressure told on the home side and Harvey Barron dived spectacularly in the corner to give the Airlie Birds the early lead.
A set restart put the Wolves in prime attacking position but resilient defending and a controversial knock-on decision wasted the chance.
Warrington forced a contentious drop out but Hull’s resilient defending was able to keep them at bay again.
Warrington were then reduced to 12 men as Luke Thomas was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
The home side eventually got over the Hull line as Toby King was able to somehow reach out and touchdown. But the try was ruled out for a double movement.
The second half started in very end-to-end style with both teams testing each other’s defensive resolve from the restart.
Warrington eventually got themselves on the scoreboard as Josh Smith scored from a kick by Liam Byrne, the boot of Marc Sneyd gave the home side a thoroughly undeserved lead.
Hull thought they had retaken the lead as Barron scored a second try but it was chalked off for a questionable obstruction.
Warrington were handed repeat sets in Hull’s danger zone. But some committed scrambling defence kept them out yet again.
Warrington finally got the winning score as Josh Smith grounded a Marc Sneyd grubber kick with a minute remaining, Sneyd added the goal.
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