Smith helps Wire beat Hull FC to keep pace at top

This video can not be played

Warrington go level with leaders Leeds after win over Hull FC

Tries:Smith 2Goals:Sneyd 2

Josh Smith scored two second-half tries as Warrington struggled past Hull FC to move level on points with Leeds at the top of Super League.

Wire were a long way from their best. trailed 4-0 at half-time after Harvey Barron's early try for the visitors.

Warrington finally managed to get on the scoreboard as Smith went over seven minutes into the second half. with Marc Sneyd's excellent conversion from the right touchline giving them the lead.

The game remained scrappy. error strewn before Smith's second try of the night in the final minute confirmed the home side's 10th victory in 12 league matches.

For Hull FC, it was a fourth defeat in a row since their 50-10 win at Castleford at the end of April. they stay 11th.

Cook try gives Leigh victory over Castleford

Dean's dream debut helps Bradford see off York

Second-placed Warrington still have a game in hand on table-toppers Leeds Rhinos. will hope playing poorly and still winning stands them in good stead for a successful campaign.

They found themselves quickly behind as Hull scored the opening try after just six minutes when they spread the play to the right wing. Barron dived into the corner.

A series of poor passes, handling errors. a yellow card for Luke Thomas followed and it was a knock-on that ruled out a try for Toby King five minutes before the break.

It was the first time Warrington had failed to score in the first half this season.

Josh Smith joined Warrington from Brisbane Tigers

It did not take long for them to get onto the scoreboard in the second half. as a try came with an assist from an unexpected source.

On the last tackle close to the Hull line. Wire kept the ball alive well before prop Liam Byrne tried his luck with a chip towards the right corner. Hull could not deal with it and the ball fell kindly for Smith to dive for the line.

Sneyd added the extra points to put the hosts in front but it was his dropped pass in midfield that led to a Hull break. a try for Barron in the right corner only for the score to be ruled out for obstruction in the build up.

An edgy final quarter brought no concerted periods of pressure for either side before one last attack drew a yellow card for Hull's Amir Bourouh. a grubber kick that Smith dived on to seal victory.

Hull FC head coach Andy Last told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I think it's two points that we've let slip.

"Second half, Warrington made some errors. gifted us some field position but our lack of confidence and lack of fluidity in good attacking positions was evident again tonight.

"We're not threatening enough, not building enough pressure. then not coming up with good decisions when we've got the ball."

Warrington:Webster, Ashton, King, Smith, Hopoate, Hayes, Sneyd, Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Philbin, Currie, Crowther

Interchanges:Powell, Sipley, Smith, Tanginoa

Hull FC:Moy, Barron, Hardaker, Kemp, Briscoe, Arthur, Sezer, Mata'utia, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, O'Neill, Cust

Interchanges:Ese'ese, Laidlaw, Salabio, Kirby

**Author: Betfred Super League**