WARRINGTON Wolves stumbled to yet another defeat against Leeds Rhinos after an error-strewn performance at Headingley Stadium.

Wolves fell to their fourth defeat in seven games against a Leeds side who were comfortably the better team for the majority of the match. But they will still be kicking themselves for not making their periods of strength pay, with dropped ball and knock ons preventing them from hitting back after Sinfield’s three missed conversions had kept Warrington in the game.

Tries from Joel Monaghan, two, Richie Myler and Ryan Atkins were not enough to fight back against two tries from Ryan Hall, one each from Danny McGuire, Kallum Watkins and Paul McShane and two Sinfield penalties, but Wolves can hardly complain about losing a game they never really controlled at any point.

Wolves were dealt an early blow after less than five minutes. Just when they thought they had made a promising break through Simon Grix, referee James Child handed the home side a penalty for obstruction after Ben Westwood was deemed to have blocked the chasing defender. Leeds were clinical in their execution, moving to within a metre of Wolves’ line before Danny McGuire scooped up from dummy half and twisted over for the game’s first try. Kevin Sinfield added the conversion and another penalty goal minutes later following a high shot on Rob Burrow from Ben Harrison.

Until the 12th minute Leeds were the dominant force, chasing harder, kicking better and generally keeping Wolves under wraps. That was until a stroke of luck fell Wolves’ way to allow the visitors to drag themselves within two points. A pass from Sinfield uncharacteristically hit the ground and Joel Monaghan was in place to pick up the loose ball and break free. Some Keystone Cops defending saw Zak Hardaker trip Danny McGuire as they both went to tackle, and Monaghan raced away 70 metres to drop over next to the posts. Hodgson converted.

Unfortunately for Wolves that try did little to shift the momentum back in their direction. Instead, Leeds kept the pressure on and try as they might, Wolves were largely held in their own half. Another penalty for a ball steal sent Leeds to within metres of the away line and when Ryan Atkins fumbled a tame grubber to gift Rhinos a fresh set, the writing was on the wall. Immediately from the scrum Leeds whipped the ball left and Ryan Hall dived over the in the corner to hand his side a 12-6 lead after 19 minutes.

But the errors kept on coming for the visitors, as within five minutes they again found themselves defending their own line after Hodgson fumbled McGuire’s bomb over the line for a goal line drop out. Leeds were clinical again, sending the ball wide for Kallum Watkins to shrug off the challenge of Chris Riley to open a 16-6 home lead. Sinfield was not having the best of times from the kicking tee, missing his second of the night.

This allowed Warrington to keep in touch despite only crossing for their second of the night on 32 minutes. Despite enjoying far fewer chances on Leeds’ line, they were equally clinical when those chances arose. Some offloads from Trent Waterhouse and Garreth Carvell kept the ball live in front of the post, though Ben Currie was perhaps fortunate that his fumbled catch was not judged to have gone forward. From the next play-the-ball Micky Higham sent Richie Myler over for his seventh try of the season. Hodgson’s kick reduced the arrears to 16-12.

But the last score of the half went, as expected, to the hosts. Zak Hardaker’s break from his own 20 metre line was only halted by Stefan Ratchford’s fine chase, but Leeds were on the front foot again. Moments later they crossed for their fourth of the night, Paul McShane crashing through Myler and Riley in the right corner. Sinfield’s poor night from the tee continued and Wolves trooped in 20-12 behind at the break.

Wolves steadied themselves at half time and kept the game scoreless for the first 10 minutes the second half. But when Ben Westwood gifted the home side a penalty on 50 minutes, they used it to full effect. Some sparkling back play down the line sent the ball out for Hall to dive over in the corner, and despite Monaghan’s best efforts the video referee judged him to have got the ball down. Sinfield converted.

In the following 10 minutes Wolves fans could have been forgiven for thinking the game was gone. First, Ratchford’s break should have been rewarded with a try, but instead of sending the ball wide to the open Monaghan he was hauled down short of the line. Some heroic defending from the hosts followed, as did mistakes from the visitors. Knock ons from Atkins and Harrison, the latter within metres of Leeds’ line, ensured Wolves were kept at bay during their most threatening period of the half.

Luckily Wolves’ persistence was finally rewarded on the hour. Ratchford’s kick fortuitously bounced back into his hands off Rob Burrow and the stand off raced away up the field before lifting a delicate kick out wide for Monaghan to score his 11th of the season and his fifth brace of the year. Hodgson converted to make it 26-18.

Then came a critical moment in the game. With Wolves on the front foot after a penalty and with the try line beckoning, Mike Cooper’s pass was fumbled by Harrison and a superb chance to move within two points went begging. In reply, Leeds put the game to bed. A penalty for a high shot from Higham gave Sinfield the chance to extend their lead to 28-18 with minutes remaining.

Wolves still had the chance to strike late, but another attacking error stopped their chances short. There was still time for Atkins to cross in the corner after some lovely play down the line, but Hodgson’s missed conversion summed up Wolves’ attacking play after the break. All in all it was too little, too late.

Leeds: Zak Hardaker; Kallum Watkins, Carl Ablett, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall; Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire; Kylie Leuluai, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock, Stevie Ward, Mitch Achurch, Jamie Jones-Buchanan. Subs: Chris Clarkson, Brad Singleton, Paul McShane, Richard Moore.

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Chris Riley, Ryan Atkins, Simon Grix, Joel Monaghan; Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Michael Monaghan, Mike Cooper, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Garreth Carvell, Micky Higham, Paul Wood, Ben Currie.