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Hull Sharks ... 28 |
vs |
Warrington Wolves ... 32 |
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Hull Sharks ... 28 |
vs |
Warrington Wolves ... 32 |
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Attendance: 5,157
Referee: Steve Presley (Castleford)
Half Time: 16 - 12
Penalty Count: -
Sharks |
Wolves |
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1. Steve Prescott 2. David Baildon 21. Alan Hunte (C) 4. Graeme Hallas 15. Fili Seru 23. Logan Campbell 6. Gary Lester 8. Steve Craven 13. Brad Hepi 17. Hitro Okesene 11. Simon Booth 12. Matt Schultz 26. Dean Busby Subs: 3. Rob Nolan 16. Jim Leatham 22. Jamie Smith 27. David Stephenson Tries: Seru 2 (33 Campbell (11 mins) Prescott (17 mins) Lester Goals: Hallas 4 On-Report: Brad Hepi - High Tackles |
1. Lee Penny 5. Chris Rudd 14. Toa Kohe-Love 3. Micahel Eager 2. Mark Forster 4. Jon Roper 7. Lee Briers 10. Gary Chambers 9. Danny Farrar (C) 15. Danny Nutley 12. Steve McCurrie 22. Brendon Tuuta 23. Mike Wainwright Subs: 6. Adam Doyle 13. Chris Morley 17. Mark Hilton 24. Vince Fawcett Tries: Penny (14 mins) Farrar(23 mins) Rudd Forster Roper Goals: Briers 4 |
The Wolves kicked off this encounter that would put a lid on Round 7 and decide crucial table position for both sides. Warrington were desperate for a win, not having won away from home playing Paris last year. The Sharks were equally up for the match looking to cement there mid table spot and use it as a base to launch an attack on the top five.
Both teams poked and prodded the opposition, with neither willing to give much away.
Tuuta gave up a penalty for an attempted punch, Craven not quite making the try line after the restart. Hull used the field position and there next set of six to pressure the Wolves line, but to no avail, Penny fielding the kick and bringing the ball out.
The Wolves then almost self destructed as Booth stole the ball from Eager in a one-on-one on the twenty. Hunte latched onto a pass from the forward and headed for the line, miraculously being held just short. The Wolves were fortunate to get a penalty from the play of the ball and retrieved what almost certainly would have been a lost situation.
The Wolves were fighting back as Nutley slipped a tackle and set off on run deep into Shark territory to give them there first real attacking chance. The move broke down when Briers' dummy half pass to Forster went astray.
Hull were beginning to use their home field advantage, looking the better attacking side. There efforts were rewarded on 11 mins when Campbell took the ball and looked to put a move on. No one was there but neither were the Wolves defenders as they'd moved up to fast expecting a pass. Spotting a gap Campbell neatly stepped through and then around Penny to score a good try under the post. Hallas made sure of the easy two points (6 - 0).
Straight from the kick off the Wolves gained a penalty and moved swiftly down the field. Tuuta made a mess of the pass to Chambers, but Penny was on hand to tidy up and flick the ball to Roper. The Cumbrian stand off blasted forwards, breaking a tackle before half slipping-half dropping the ball to the supporting Penny who strolled in under the sticks. Briers also made sure of an easy conversion and equaliser (6 - 6).
The Wolves regained possession after the restart from a great tackle on Craven by Briers and Eager, both players gang tackling the forward into touch. Eager took the ball up from the resulting scrum but the play of the ball was not good and Prescott, who was marking, pounced. He hacked and dribbled the ball fully forty metres down field, pursued closely by Briers. Both men dived for the ball as it went over the try line, but it was too close for the ref and the touch judge to call. The Video Referee had a long look at the evidence, Briers looking like he got a hand on the ball first. Not so, said the man on high, simultaneous touchdown and a try!
Stevo was convinced otherwise and voiced his opinion!
Hallas added another goal (12 - 6) to swing the lead back to the home side.
Both teams put in good sets of six , but it was the Wolves who struck next. The ball was moved powerfully up field. McCurrie took a short ball 10 metres out from Farrar and used his size and strength but was held just short. Just as he was about to hit the ground he made an outstanding off load to his ever-supporting Captain, Farrar took two steps and planted the ball. Briers had another easy conversion and again equalled the scores (12 - 12). What a game this was turning to be.....
The Sharks almost hit straight back in what was turning out to be a real ding-dong end to end battle. Hunte was again denied just inches from the line.
The Sharks had the final say scoring wise for the first half when the usually rock steady Penny fluffed a kick, he protested that he was facing his own posts but the ball plainly went back over his shoulder for a knock on.
From the well positioned scrum the Sharks moved forward. The winger Seru took the ball 10 metres out and powered his way to line to plant the ball. The Video Ref had another say and awarded the obvious try. Hallas missing for the first time, but the Sharks were back in the lead (16 - 12).
That sealed the first half and very entertaining period it was too, the scene was set for a great last forty minutes.
Second half to appear here.