Hull FC condemn Warrington to first Super League defeat of the season
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 28/03/16 10:17pm
Curtis Naughton claimed his second try five minutes from time as Hull ended Warrington's unbeaten start to the season with a dramatic 26-24 win at the KC Stadium.
Warrington looked on course to claim an eighth successive win in the Super League after snuffing out Hull's recovery from 20-10 down with a second try from former home favourite Tom Lineham.
But in a compelling encounter losing nothing in entertainment value from the heavy Easter programme, Hull had the final word.
The schedule may have robbed Hull of Frank Pritchard and Mark Minichiello and cost Warrington the services of Matty Russell and Kurt Gidley, but the players on show seemed to continue at full throttle.
The Hull supporters, buoyed by their dramatic Good Friday derby win over Hull KR, were in good voice and cheered loudly as Lineham was denied an early try out wide.
Their mood got even better as Marc Sneyd chipped through and gathered his own kick to score the opening try.
But Warrington responded with some now-almost-typical Chris Sandow magic. The scrum-half wrong-footed the Hull defence with some nifty work on halfway and found Ben Currie, who in turn sent Ryan Atkins on a clear run to the line.
The visitors took the lead for the first time after 23 minutes as Lineham barged his way over from a quick tap penalty. He bulldozed Naughton out of the way to touch down again soon after but this time his effort was disallowed for a forward pass.
Jamie Shaul brought Hull back level with a good overlapping run to finish off a Sneyd-inspired attack but Warrington hit back with two tries before half-time.
Kevin Penny first went over on the left after the ball was spread along the line and Sandow then got on the scoresheet with a fine individual effort, diving through the posts after breaking from halfway.
Hull were not bowed and started the second half positively. Shaul was unable to take a good opportunity on the right but Naughton accepted one on the left after a break by Danny Washbrook.
Sandwiched between those chances Lineham spurned one for Warrington, spilling the ball attempting one of his trademark dives into the corner.
It was one the Wolves were to rue as Hull contined their fightback with Shaul dabbing through a delicate kick for Kirk Yeaman to score.
With Sneyd's goals, Hull were back ahead 22-20 after an hour but Warrington rallied again and Rhys Evans sent Lineham over for his second try after the visitors opted to run a penalty.
Yet still Hull were not finished, and after Callum Lancaster went close, Naughton found his way over after a Sneyd kick was charged down and was reclaimed by the home side.