Hull Kingston Rovers 24 Warrington Wolves 28

WOLVES could do without making a habit of having to engineer second-half comebacks, if only to settle the nerves of fans.

However, the comeback is starting to epitomise the spirit of a Warrington squad that looked to be on the ropes at Huddersfield and Hull KR, but prevailed on both counts.

Tony Smith’s charges fought to keep their Challenge Cup dreams alive on Sunday, overcome difficult conditions, not least a hostile crowd, and secure a home tie with Doncaster in the fifth round.

Smith made changes earlier than he admittedly would have liked, but the introduction of Paul Wood – his first appearance this season – James Laithwaite and Michael Monaghan off the bench proved vital in turning the tide after Wolves went 12-0 down.

Ben Cockyane and Adam Walker had put the hosts ahead, but Wolves quelled the Robins’ roar when Richie Myler’s perfect grubber was seized by the returning Ryan Atkins.

Myler enjoyed his best start in a primrose and blue shirt this year and appears to have forged an understanding with Atkins after the pair produced an almost identical try following the break.

By the time Joel Monaghan crossed, Travis Burns had slotted a penalty, and – like the previous week against Giants – Wolves entered the break in the ascendancy despite trailing on the scoreboard.

They had crossed twice more, referee Richard Silverwood ruling Laithwaite and Ben Evans to have performed double movements when touching down.

That, eventually, mattered little.

Immediately after the interval Trent Waterhouse’s clever offload found Myler and he span a pass out to Rhys Evans. One sidestep later and Wolves were ahead.

Matty Russell continued to make the full back spot his own – the 20-year-old executed a crucial tackle to stop Burns crossing and later conjured up a superb offload for the decisive try.

On-loan St Helens winger Ade Gardner continued to haunt Wolves with scoring prowess and Atkins added his second.

Experienced New Zealand international Roy Asotasi cut an influential figure during his second spell on the field and put the game out of Hull KR’s reach thanks to Russell feeding a pass out of a three-man tackle.

Omari Caro’s late consolation had no impact on the outcome.

INTERESTING NOTES

Simon Grix’s 200th appearance in his career, having played 169 for Warrington, 29 for Halifax and two for Ireland

Ryan Atkins needs three tries to reach 150 career touchdowns. His total of 147 is made up of 49 for Wakefield (2006-2009), 92 for Warrington (2010-2014) and 6 for England (2006, 2009-2010 & 2012)

Joel Monaghan needs four tries to reach 100 for Warrington. He has scored 96 times in 94 games for Wolves since 2011

Rhys Evans and Joel Monaghan are Wolves’ leading try scorers this term, with six each. They are joint sixth in the Super League charts, with five each

MATCH FACTS

Challenge Cup 4th Round Sunday, April 6, 2014

Hull Kingston Rovers 24 Warrington Wolves 28

Rovers: Ben Cockayne; Ade Gardner, Liam Salter, Kris Welham, Omari Caro; Travis Burns, Kris Keating; Adam Walker, Josh Hodgson, Mick Weyman, Kevin Larroyer, Jordan Cox, Neville Costigan. Subs: Keal Carlile, James Green, Jason Netherton, Rhys Lovegrove.

Wolves: Matty Russell; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Evans; Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Micky Higham, Roy Asotasi, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix. Subs: Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, James Laithwaite, Ben Evans.

Scoring: Cockyane try, 14mins, Burns goal, 6-0; Walker try, 18mins, Burns goal, 12-0; Atkins try, 20mins, Bridge goal, 12-6; Burns penalty, 27mins, 14-6; J Monaghan try, 33mins, 14-10; R Evans try, 43mins, Bridge goal, 14-16; Gardner try, 52mins, 18-16; Atkins try, 59mins, Bridge goal, 18-22; Asotasi try, 75mins, Bridge goal, 18-28; Caro try, 79mins, Burns goal, 24-28.

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Penalties: Hull KR 8 Wolves 6

Attendance: 4,911

Top man: Richie Myler