WIRE skipper Chris Hill was “made up” to share in a teammate’s successful comeback and another’s return to form in the victory over Widnes Vikings.

Fellow front-rower Dom Crosby caught the eye as he made his first appearance for nine months off the bench, while Stefan Ratchford turned in a man-of-the-match display.

“I said to Dom that he’s an absolute credit to himself,” revealed the England international after Crosby returned earlier than scheduled from shoulder surgery.

“We all know what happened last year (with his family) and it was tough for him.

“He’s slowly and surely getting his head round it. I’m absolutely made up to see him back and what a positive impact he had.”

Hill added: “And then he’s had a full shoulder reconstruction and got himself back three games into a Super League season.

“A couple of weeks off into the off-season he was in doing rehab on his own, which involved early mornings and he was last one to leave at night.

“That all shows what kind of a bloke he is.”

Hill’s history with Ratchford goes back to their junior days at Wigan St Patricks and it put a smile on the skipper’s face to the Wire and England full-back playing an influential role in the opening win of the year.

“If you ask him, he’d tell you he’d had two average performances in the first two games and that’s not like Stef,” said Hilly.

“He was outstanding against Widnes and made a real difference.

“It was a key moment with Jay Chapelhow (try-saving tackle). That’s what full-backs are for, as a last line of defence, and sometimes, especially in the first couple of games, Stef’s been disappointed with his last line of defence.

“He proved what a quality full-back he is.

“I know what kind of ability he’s got. He’s an international for a reason. He’s a good mate of mine and I know it’s been a tough couple weeks for him. He’s got himself through it. He’s mentally strong anyway and I thought he was top-class on Friday.”

And he was pleased to have the first win in the bag.

He said: “We knew we had performances and wins in us. We’ve just got to keep learning each week. If we keep hold of the ball and reduce the penalty count, we’ll win most games.”