WARRINGTON Wolves move up to third in Super League after a hard-earned win against a never-say-die Hull KR.

Wolves found it tough to put daylight between them and much-improved opponents, twice Hull KR fighting back from eight-point deficits.

Only two points in Wolves favour separated the two sides with six minutes to go but Ben Currie left former Parramatta Eels wingman Ken Sio trailing in his wake over 50 metres to score the decisive try.

Wolves went into the clash with five positional changes to the side that started in the 38-18 loss at Catalans Dragons, some forced by the withdrawal of centre Ryan Atkins with illness.

Tony Smith’s men applied the early pressure and came close when Chris Hill was held on his back over the try line.

Rovers survived though and struck the first blow.

A sweeping move on the left handed Hull KR a seventh-minute lead.

Fast hands from Terry Campese, Ben Cockayne and Kris Welham fed Italy international Josh Mantellato over by the corner post and the winger converted himself.

The Robins continued to test Wolves’ right-hand edge of Joel Monaghan and Kevin Penny, with Campese calling the shots to a degree of success.

A high tackle from ex-Wolf Tyrone McCarthy and Ashton Sims led to a scuffle and both being sent to the sin bin.

Warrington adapted to 12 v 12 better and crossed twice during their absence.

Wolves were awarded the penalty and another for interference, making the visitors pay when Stefan Ratchford’s long looping pass was gathered in by Matty Russell and he cut inside Ken Sio to reduce the gap to two points.

A penalty for obstruction allowed Wolves to raid again.

Ratchford was again the supplier as Monaghan crashed through a hole in the 28th minute. With Ratchford’s extras, Wolves were in front at 10-6.

Kicking out on the full from the restart put Rovers under pressure and Daryl Clark’s pass from dummy half allowed Joe Philbin to power over with a twist of his body. Ratchford was off target with the kick.

The Robins again found joy down Wolves’ right, with Welham being able to withstand the tackle of Kevin Penny and offload inside for Mantellato to scoot past the onrushing Ratchford. Mantellato also converted to cut the gap to two points after 37 minutes.

Albert Kelly was deemed to have been blocked as he attempted to chase his own chip kick and so with the last kick of the half Mantellato pushed a 51-metre penalty goal wide.

Five minutes into the second half Ratchford looked to have sent Penny flying down the right wing in front of the South Stand but the pass was ruled forward.

But it was Rovers next to score.

Kevin Larroyer dummied a runaround move and sneaked over at the side of the posts in the 52nd minute, with Mantellato improving to push the visitors 18-14 in front.

Wolves struck back in the best possible way with Gary Wheeler starting and finishing a last-tackle play.

Wheeler’s booming pass to Philbin allowed Ben Currie to send Russell clear and he beat full back Cockayne with an inside ball to the supporting Wheeler who completed the 60-metre effort. Ratchford converted to restore Wolves’ two-point advantage after 56 minutes.

Interference on Monaghan at a play-the-ball allowed Wolves to strike again.

When Currie sped a pass to Russell there was not a lot of room but the winger cut inside Kelly and kept his balance despite stumbling to score with an outstretched arm. Ratchford’s extras from wide out made it 26-18.

The tit-for-tat nature of the scoring continued when Campese dummied through and Ratchford was unable to stop Graeme Horne from crossing in support. Mantellato added the goal with 12 minutes remaining and two points the difference.

Then came Currie’s moment of glory, racing home from 50 metres to touch down between the posts in front of the East Stand with Ratchford’s goal extending the lead to eight points for a third time.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Kevin Penny, Joel Monaghan, Ben Currie, Matty Russell; Gareth O’Brien, Gary Wheeler; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Joe Philbin, James Laithwaite, Ben Westwood. Subs: Mick Higham, Roy Asotasi, Ben Evans, George King.

Hull KR: Ben Cockayne; Ken Sio, Darrell Goulding, Kris Welham, Josh Mantellato; Terry Campese, Albert Kelly; Adam Walker, Jon Boudebza, Mitch Allgood, Tyrone McCarthy, Maurice Blair, Greg Burke. Subs: James Green, Graeme Horne, Kevin Larroyer, Kieran Dixon.

Referee: James Child