LET us get one thing perfectly clear. This Wire team deserves praise for the way they came through on Saturday.

When their significant half-time advantage came within touching distance of being reversed, it would have been easy for them to succumb to Hull KR’s momentum and lose the game.

They remained calm, took the sting out of Rovers and allowed them to tire themselves out before ruthlessly exposing their low energy levels late on.

They found a way to win, as all good teams tend to do when things are not all going their way.

Warrington have proved themselves to be just that – a good team. They would not have rocketed themselves into contention for a top-four spot if they were not.

However, their performance shows there are still vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

Their start to both halves, particularly the second period, was very lacklustre.

While they were only a Ryan Shaw penalty in arrears as a result of their delay in getting going in the first half, a better team would have took more advantage of the field position afforded to them.

After half-time, it genuinely looked like there was panic in the ranks as Rovers stormed back into contention.

Granted, their first two tries had an element of luck to them, but it goes to show that this time like any other is capable of a bit of a meltdown.

In that situation, facing a torrid final half-hour with the opposition breathing down their necks, the Wire team of last year and even the one from earlier in 2018 would probably have lost.

The fact they were able to find another gear to pull away again speaks volumes.

Another solid display up front was complimented by the creative spine, with Kevin Brown displaying the kind of confident display that is winning his doubters over.

Stefan Ratchford showed how critical his role joining the line as essentially a third half-back is, while Daryl Clark continues to be a constant in man-of-the-match discussions.

The drier weather brought a more expansive game with ball in hand and for the first real time this season, we got the chance to see how The Wire could profit from a strong offload game.

This was far from a perfect performance, but at the same time it displays the potential of this group. To put 40 points on a team whilst not being particularly outstanding is not to be sniffed at.

Of course, there is deficiencies to be straightened out. As Steve Price said, however, good teams find a way.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Daryl Clark makes his 100th appearance for Warrington.

. Highest number of points scored by a Wire side in 2018 but also the highest total conceded in victory.

. First try of the season for Ben Currie.

. Wire’s sixth victory in a row.

MATCH FACTS:

Super League Round 11

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Warrington Wolves…40 Hull Kingston Rovers 26

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Ryan Atkins, Bryson Goodwin, Tom Lineham; Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood. Subs: Joe Philbin, Sitaleki Akauola, Dom Crosby, Morgan Smith.

Rovers: Adam Quinlan; Ryan Shaw, Liam Salter, Junior Vaivai, Justin Carney; Danny McGuire, Chris Atkin; Robbie Mulhern, Shaun Lunt, Mose Masoe, Maurice Blair, Danny Tickle, Ben Kavanagh. Subs: Nick Scruton, Matty Marsh, James Greenwood, James Donaldson.

Scoring: Shaw penalty, 7mins, 0-2; Cooper try, 20mins, Ratchford goal, 6-2; Hughes try, 25mins, Ratchford goal, 12-2; Currie try, 30mins, Ratchford goal, 18-2; Hughes try, 40mins, 22-2; Blair try, 43mins, Shaw goal, 22-8; Donaldson try, 47mins, Shaw goal, 22-14; Atkin try, 50mins, Shaw goal, 22-20; Lineham try, 66mins, Ratchford goal, 28-20; Ratchford try, 68mins, Ratchford goal, 34-20; Atkins try, 72mins, Ratchford goal, 40-20; McGuire try, 76mins, Shaw goal, 40-26.

Penalties: Wolves 8 Rovers 7

Referee: Jack Smith

Attendance: 9,305

Top man (Guardian readers’ vote): Stefan Ratchford