Warrington Wolves secured a 34-28 triumph over Hull KR in the rescheduled Super League round two fixture at Sewell Group Craven Park, a victory that moved them just two points shy of the league's top position. The match, originally postponed 22 rounds earlier because the Robins were competing in Las Vegas, finally took place under conditions that seemed to favor Sam Burgess’s side, allowing them to dominate the second half and claim the win.
The most notable storyline for Hull KR was the return of Mikey Lewis, who came back from a four‑match suspension that had coincided with a flawless run of four consecutive victories for the club. Unfortunately for Lewis, his comeback was marred by a sin‑bin offence. He was shown a yellow card for dangerous contact with Warrington’s kicker Ewan Irwin.
Burgess described the tackle as "dangerous" and stressed that Irwin was fortunate to walk away unharmed. "It was a bad challenge at the back end of the game," Burgess said.
"In the NRL such a move would attract a much harsher sanction." Hull KR held a 14-10 lead at halftime, thanks to a penalty from Rhyse Martin and converted tries from Lewis and Karl Lawton. However, the second half belonged to the Wolves. An early unconverted effort from Albert Hopoate and a try from James Bentley narrowed the gap, but the hosts remained four points behind. The Wolves then unleashed a relentless surge, with Toafofa Sipley, Liam Byrne, George Williams and Albert Hopoate all crossing the line.
Late‑stage scores from Dean Hadley and Tevita Pangai Jnr provided only consolation for the Robins as the Wolves sealed the match. The opening stages saw Hull KR take the initiative when Martin slotted a penalty after Warrington conceded a high tackle on French play‑maker Arthur Mourgue. The Robins then made a series of handling errors, dropping the ball twice and conceding another penalty, which allowed Warrington to gain momentum.
After forcing three repeat sets, the Wolves broke through with their first try: a sweeping move from left to right culminated in Hopoate diving into the corner after 18 minutes. Irwin missed the conversion, but the Wolves continued to create chances while Hull KR’s defense faltered. Hull KR responded when England captain George Williams delivered a crisp pass to James Bentley, who sprinted over for a close‑range try. Irwin added the extras this time, pushing the score to 10-2 in favour of the home side.
Before the break, Lewis, fresh from his suspension, capitalised on a well‑timed kick from Jez Litten, grounding the ball in the in‑goal area. A minute later, Lawton powered over, and both conversions were completed by Mourgue, giving Hull KR a 14-10 lead at the interval. The second half began with a burst of power from Warrington.
Prop Toafofa Sipley powered over from a few metres out after a smart pass from Danny Walker, and Irwin successfully converted, putting the Wolves ahead. At the 50‑minute mark, Mourgue narrowed the deficit with a penalty goal, leveling the scores and setting up a tense finish.
A heated moment ensued when players from both teams clashed, but the crucial incident came when Mourgue was penalised for a needless block on Walker as Hull KR were retreating from their own try line. Irwin seized the opportunity, slotting another penalty to restore a two‑point advantage for Warrington. Soon after, Lewis kicked the ball out on the full for the second time, and Warrington capitalised once more. Liam Byrne broke through the defensive line and dived over for a try that was converted, extending the Wolves’ lead to eight points as the game entered its final quarter.
The momentum was now firmly with Warrington. George Williams, showcasing his speed and agility, slipped inside Litten to score, and then delivered a brilliant kick that Hopoate finished with poise, further widening the margin. Hull KR managed two late consolation tries from Dean Hadley and Tevita Pangai Jnr, but they were insufficient to overturn the deficit.
The match concluded with a 34-28 victory for Warrington, a result that not only kept them within striking distance of the league leaders but also highlighted the team's resilience and physicality. Player of the match, George Williams, praised his teammate Mikey Lewis in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, describing him as "a quiet lad" who sometimes makes mistakes but remains one of the competition’s best players. Head coach Sam Burgess expressed pride in his squad’s effort, acknowledging periods where the team did not have things their way but emphasising the collective spirit and physical dominance displayed, especially in the second half.
He noted that the scoreline did not fully reflect the performance in either half, underscoring the Wolves’ superiority in many aspects of the game. Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, speaking to Sky Sports, admitted the second half was difficult to watch, citing numerous moments that the team would rather forget. He expressed disappointment with the defensive lapses that allowed Warrington to score repeatedly and indicated he would review the incident involving Mikey Lewis to determine its severity.
The match also featured several promotional reminders: viewers were encouraged to use Chrome for an optimal video player experience, and fans were invited to stream Super League games, purchase tickets, and follow the latest league table. Additionally, the Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon was highlighted as a source for further discussion. Sky Sports confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League game live throughout the season, with two matches each round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.