Warrington Wolves just edged out Hull FC in a scrappy game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Two tries from Josh Smith were enough for Warrington, who ran out 12-4 winners as the Wolves kept pace atop the table with Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos.
Herman Ese’ese returned from his Achilles injury whilst Aidan Sezer was also recalled in a big call made by Andy Last, however, it was the Warrington team news that caught the eye.
Ewan Irwin missed out through illness meaning Marc Sneyd partnered Leon Hayes, whilst Josh Thewlis also missed out so Lachlan Webster started at full-back.
Here are our talking points from what was an incredibly scrappy game.
Wigan Warriors win Challenge Cup, John Kear remembered and Sam Walters’ monster ban – Click here to listen to the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show.
Warrington Wolves and Hull FC talking points
Wire win… just
It was a game that Warrington were expected to win easily and win by a big margin and perhaps they thought that too as Sam Burgess’ side were made to fight for everything in what was a scrappy performance.
Booed off at half time, Warrington’s performance did not improve that much but ultimately they were able to get the try to put them in front and highlighting just how bizarre the game was, the try came from a Liam Byrne kick.
Josh Smith would score a second very late on to cement the win but it’s a victory that Sam Burgess’ side will learn plenty from with their performance lacking throughout.
How Hull FC gamed the Captain’s Challenge
In a key moment in the first half, Hull FC seemed to give a penalty away in front of the sticks to give Warrington a fresh set of six in dangerous territory. In reality, Jake Arthur knew exactly what he was doing by holding on in the tackle.
Tom Briscoe had carried the ball forward and was deemed to have knocked on but decisions cannot be contested until there is a stoppage in play, thus Jake Arthur gave away a penalty to allow Briscoe to challenge his knock on call.
Briscoe was justified in that decision with the captain’s challenge proving that Luke Thomas had ripped the ball out, and on the resulting set Thomas tipped Harvie Hill past the horizontal and found himself sent to the sin bin in a critical 90-second period of play.
Another big Hull FC injury
They’ve been peppered with injury issues all year long and even tonight when welcoming back Herman Ese’ese (Achilles) and Amir Bourouh (HIA), Hull FC lost yet another key man.
Zak Hardaker failed a HIA with the centre throwing himself into a tackle and unfortunately colliding with the hip of teammate Joe Batchelor, resulting in the veteran receiving treatment for an extended period. As such, it was no surprise that Hardaker failed that HIA meaning the Black and Whites will be without him for next week’s big game against Huddersfield Giants.
Crucial no try call
Harvey Barron thought he’d scored his second try of the night to put Hull FC in front, much to the disgust of the Warrington crowd. That crowd were eventually vindicated when a formal review took place with Ben Currie ruled to have been obstructed, with the try then chalked off.
In a low-scoring game where the conversion separated the sides, it was a pivotal call by video referee Jack Smith and one that ensured Warrington Wolves kept their winning run going.
Debut referee Ryan Cox
As debut games go, Ryan Cox had a tough first match to officiate with neither side very clean in their discipline and that meant that Cox had to twice go to his pocket and flash a yellow card.
The 24-year-old from St Helens will have hoped for a far easier debut match but he’ll learn plenty and will surely kick on as a result of the experience.
.@WarringtonRLFC win a tough encounter 🐺#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/q2dGi62QPw
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 5, 2026
