Hull FC were 21-12 winners in an ill-tempered match by the Humber as they secured only their second victory of the new Super League season on a night where both they and Warrington had a player sent off.
It was Warrington’s red card – issued to the half-back, Declan Patton, with half an hour remaining – which was more telling, though. Hull led 10-0 when Patton was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Bureta Faraimo, and they quickly extended that lead to 18 points in the moments afterwards thanks to a Carlos Tuimavave try and two goals from Marc Sneyd.
But Warrington, who had been forced to travel by train to this fixture following the wintry conditions which had closed the M62, rallied well. In fact they threatened a remarkable comeback despite their man disadvantage when two tries in five minutes from Jack Hughes and Ryan Atkins reduced the deficit to six points.
However, a penalty from Sneyd calmed Hull’s nerves before they too were reduced to 12 men when the forward, Liam Watts, was dismissed for a mindless headbutt that will ensure he is banned for several weeks. “He’s going to miss loads of games and he deserves it,” his coach, Lee Radford, said.
Radford’s opposite number, Steve Price, who was disappointed with his side’s completion rate and penalties, said: “I thought we competed better with 12 men.”
The other winners on Friday night were Wigan, who scored 32 unanswered points to continue their impressive start to the season with a 32-16 victory over Widnes. The Warriors trailed 16-0 midway through the first half courtesy of tries from Matt Whitley and Stefan Marsh but a try from Joe Burgess on the stroke of half-time reduced the Widnes advantage to 12 points at the break.
From there Wigan improved drastically, scoring five further tries without reply as they ran out comfortable winners against a Widnes side missing half a dozen first-team regulars.
Sam Tomkins and Thomas Leuluai were among the second-half try-scorers for the Warriors, who now have three wins from their first four Super League games in 2018.
Hull FC Shaul; Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Talanoa; Connor, Sneyd; Taylor, Washbrook, Watts, Minichiello, Manu, Hadley.
Interchange Bowden, Abdull, Fash, Turgut.
Tries Faraimo, Tuimavave. Goals Sneyd 6. Drop goal Sneyd (79). Sent off Watts (71).
Warrington Ratchford; Brown, Atkins, Goodwin, Lineham; Patton, Roberts; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Murdoch-Masila, Hughes, Westwood.
Interchange Crosby, Philbin, King, Akauola.
Tries Hughes, Atkins. Goals Ratchford 2. Sent off Patton (49).
Referee B Thaler.
