Warrington Wolves held their nerve in a rip-roaring contest at Sewell Group Craven Park, coming away with a 34-28 win over Hull KR in the rearranged Round Two fixture on Tuesday evening.
High drama at Craven Park
The match was tight for the first hour before Warrington pulled clear through a brace of tries that ultimately proved decisive. The result keeps Warrington in third place in the league table following the rearranged fixture.
The game opened with real tempo. Two minutes in, a high tackle from George Williams on Arthur Mourgue led to a penalty goal from Rhyse Martin, but Warrington reacted quickly. After forcing two goalline drop-outs, the Wolves worked the ball wide and Albert Hopoate went over on the right. Ewan Irwin’s conversion attempt struck the upright.
- Bentley then extended Warrington’s lead after collecting from a Williams pass and grounding the ball; Irwin added the kick for a 10-2 advantage.
- Hull KR struck back before half-time: Jez Litten’s clever kick was gathered by Mikey Lewis, and Karl Lawton finished under the posts with Arthur Mourgue converting to give the Robins a 14-10 half-time lead.
- In the second half, Toafofoa Sipley went over for Warrington after a spilled kick from Joe Burgess allowed Danny Walker to set up the play, with Irwin’s kick nudging them into a two-point lead.
Key players and incidents
The contest featured a number of notable moments and big-name performers. George Williams, playing in only his second match back from neck surgery, played a key role in the decisive period. Liam Byrne’s try, followed soon after by Williams’ score, put the Wolves into an unassailable position.
There were also disciplinary and head-injury concerns during the night. Hull KR lost Elliot Minchella to an HIA during the first half, which he subsequently passed, while Warrington's Bentley also completed the game after passing an HIA earlier. Jordan Crowther was removed with an HIA after a high shot by Tevita Pangai Jr. Mikey Lewis, returning from suspension, finished the match in the sin bin after a charge on young Warrington playmaker Ewan Irwin.
“It was certainly an action-packed thriller,” the match report noted, underlining the intensity that defined much of the evening.
What the scoreline tells us
The final whistle confirmed a 34-28 win for Warrington, but the match was far from straightforward. Both teams traded blows and momentum swung between them, with the Wolves improving when it mattered late in the contest.
| Venue | Date | Final score |
|---|---|---|
| Sewell Group Craven Park | 18 August 2026 | Hull KR 28 – Warrington Wolves 34 |
Key moments that swung the game included forced drop-outs and the two quickfire tries that established the gap Warrington needed. The performance highlighted the influence of returning and emerging playmakers: Williams’ return from neck surgery and Ewan Irwin’s composed kicking from the halves.
Local significance and next steps
For Warrington fans, the win offers a boost of confidence and keeps the Wolves in a strong league position. The match also provided more evidence of squad depth — with players stepping up in difficult circumstances and handling the pressure of a hostile Craven Park atmosphere.
There are still questions around discipline and injuries after a physical evening that included several HIAs and a sin-bin offence. Those issues will be watched closely by Warrington’s coaches as they prepare for the next fixtures.
Overall, it was the sort of gritty, high-energy performance that pleases the travelling fans and keeps the Wolves on course in what is shaping up to be an intriguing campaign.
