WIRE skipper Chris Hill says the players need to channel the way they are feeling into a first Super League title bid.

‘Devastated’ is the word that slipped from each player’s lips as they left the Wembley dressing rooms following the 20-14 loss to Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup Final.

Steve Price’s side trailed 6-0 inside the opening two minutes, conceded a penalty goal not long later and were 20-6 behind early in the second half.

“It’s a bit raw at the minute to sum up how I’m feeling,” he said.

Price reacts to gut-wrenching cup final loss

“In that first 20 minutes we were behind before we could blink.

“We weren’t good enough. They did to us what we wanted to do to them.”

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When asked if he could put his finger on why Wire got themselves off to a bad start, he said: “It was just a slow start and we were chasing our tail the rest of the game.

“I think we had only two sets of good ball in the first half. We were giving up some cheap ball.

“I can’t remember Catalans making a mistake until a few in the last 10 minutes when they got a bit tired.

“We gave away some rubbish tries, including Ben Garcia going over from nine ¬- it’s just not good enough.”

When George King crossed to give The Wire a lifeline at 20-12 hopes were high of a late Warrington rally, especially with Catalans visibly tiring.

“We definitely thought we were back in it,” said Hill.

“Benny Westwood went straight through and the ball banged off his chest.

“We had our chances but we didn’t take them. And we didn’t take the ones we created in the first half really.

“We kept going and going, and that’s what this group of lads does but it was just a little bit too late.

“We weren’t just happy to be here we wanted to go on and win it. Full credit to Catalans they did the job.”

St Helens found it difficult to come to terms with the loss to Catalans after the semi finals but now Warrington have to find a way, with Hull visiting The Halliwell Jones Stadium in the Super 8s on Thursday.

“We’ve got to come together as a team and as a club,” said Hill, who was also skipper when The Wire lost to the Airlie Birds in 2016.

“We’ve got to bottle up the hurt and the feelings because it’s not nice, and make it want you to go on and win the Grand Final.

“We’ve got to use this. It’s hard, it’s a horrible feeling and it’s going to be a tough couple of days but we’ve got to use that motivation.

“We need a few good wins in Super League.

“We’re still in a good position to finish maybe in second. That’s got to be our aim.”