Hull's six-try show rebuilds self-respect

Three unanswered tries in the second half at Wilderspool last night brought Hull an immensely valuable first Super League victory of the season at the end of a traumatic week for the club.

Defeated - like Warrington - in a Challenge Cup semi-final last weekend, but then disgraced by a section of their fans, Hull went a long way towardsrebuilding self-respect by showing more patience and stamina than opponents equally desperate for a morale-boosting win.

The cut and thrust of the first half showed the game at something close to its best. Warrington got an early penalty, but Hull then took command with two tries in four minutes, both of them exceptionally well crafted.

Steve Collins got the first, from Ben Sammut's pass, after the ball had been moved along the line, and Adam Maher the second, from Tony Grimaldi'soffload, after Paul Cooke earned possession with a 40/20 kick.

Warrington would have been in worse difficulties but for Lee Briers. The stand-off prevented a try by getting underneath Collins and then set one up at the other end to change the complexion of the match.

Allan Langer sent Briers away and he did superbly to draw the defence and steer Ian Sibbit inside to score. Three minutes later, the game swung Warrington's way as Langer and Briers combined again, this time to send Alan Hunte steaming through from full-back for the try that levelled the scores.

Briers' conversion and penalty put Warrington four points ahead, but Hull struck back with a converted try by Sammut that was ruled valid only after a long look at a suspected obstruction in the build-up. Briers' penalty levelled it again and this truly was a match neither side deserved to be losing. Hull made the crucial breakthrough two minutes after the break, however, Grimaldi backing up David Maiden's incisive run.

Warrington then wasted three promising positions in the Hull 20-metre area by trying to force difficult passes; they were not to get any further chances.

Luke Felsch and Matt Daylight kept the ball alive on the wing for Sammut to make the points safe and, with five minutes to play, Wayne McDonald stormed through for Hull's sixth try. "Old Faithful" was sung with rare gusto by travelling supporters who were, inevitably after the publicity they have had this week,impeccably behaved.

Warrington: Hunte; Roper, Kohe-Love, Sibbit, Forster; Briers, Langer; Gee, Farrar, Nutley, McCurrie, Guisset, Nikau. Substitutes used: Chambers, Busby, Hilton, Knott.

Hull: Sammut; Daylight, Collins, Simon, Carney; Cooke, Robinson; Felsch, Jenkins, Hick, Maher, Grimaldi, Maiden. Substitutes used: Broadbent, McDonald, King, Bird.

Referee: S Presley (Castleford).