Hull KR 28 Warrington 29: Monaghan's kick lets Wolves hold off Rovers return

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Despite leading by five tries at one stage, it took a humble drop goal from Michael Monaghan to save Warrington from the most spectacular comeback in Super League history.

The Wolves' 28 point lead was down to 12 when Monaghan slotted over what seemed a cautious one pointer which proved vital as Rovers scored twice more in the last five minutes through Kris Welham and Daniel Fitzhenry. They were pressing all the way into the last few seconds when Jake Webster's kick forced a drop out but there was no time for Warrington to take.

"It wasn't meant to be," said Rovers coach, Justin Morgan, "you can't give up 28 points and expect to win."

Warrington's Paul Cullen described it as: "From the sublime to the ridiculous. We scored 28 points in 28 minutes and were completely dominant and then somebody pulled the plug on us."

That was a veiled reference to the referee, Ashley Klein, who apart from putting Stanley Gene on report for the tackle that saw Simon Grix stretchered off, penalised Warrington heavily as Rovers made a come back.

The game had started badly for the Robins and rapidly got worse. Inside the first two minutes, Warrington's slick movement of the ball allowed Martin Gleeson in for their first try.

The Anderson brothers combined to show Kevin Penny the touchline and he put in a raking kick to which Chris Hicks won the race.

Fitzhenry gave the Wolves a gift for their third, throwing a pass which was intercepted by Paul Johnson to go half the length of the field. Ben Westwood crossed from Lee Briers' pass and the Wolves were allowed to throw the ball around at will before Hicks found a way through for his second.

Four Briers conversions made up the 28 point lead before Rovers got moving. They finally did so when Webster forced his way over at the second attempt.

Rovers' supporters continued to sing a line from their club's song: "Wake up, wake up, you sleepy heads."

With 15 minutes to play, they obliged. Ben Cockayne started the charge with a side-stepping try, with Ben Fisher going over three minutes later. Monaghan decided it was time for an insurance policy before Gene's magnificent run set up Welham and Fitzhenry finished it off. It was not quite enough, but it was stirring stuff by any standards.

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Jake Webster, Steel, Fitzhenry, James Webster, Vella, Fisher, Aizue, Newton, Galea, Murrell. Substitutes: Crossman, Mills, Gene, Cockayne.

Warrington: Hicks, Johnson, Martin Gleeson, V Anderson, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, Westwood, L Anderson, Grix. Substitutes: Mark Gleeson, Bracek, Parker, Harrison.

Referee: A Klein (Keighley).