Lee Briers kicks Wolves through

Hull KR 24 Warrington 25
LEE BRIERS dropped an extra-time goal to put Warrington through to the semi-finals rugby league’s Challenge Cup yesterday. Michael Dobson had kicked a penalty with just two minutes left on the clock to take the match into extra time.
Warrington looked to have won the game through Chris Bridge’s try in the 70th minute, but back came Hull KR to claim a vital penalty, which Dobson converted.
Both teams came into this game with a confidence born of recent success, Warrington having won four of their past five league games, Rovers all five, but the cautious opening forecast by some as a consequence did not materialise.
The match was still in the fourth minute when Wolves centre Simon Grix lost the ball in the tackle, conceding possession. Rovers worked the ball left, where Paul Cooke’s cut-out pass sent Peter Fox clear down the touchline. The wing drew Wolves full-back Richie Mathers before passing inside for centre Kris Welham to cross.
Warrington should have been back on level terms almost immediately, Grix failing to release Chris Riley when the young winger appeared to have a clear run to the line, but only the presence of an alert Dobson prevented Vinnie Anderson’s kick-through being touched down as the Wolves put Rovers’ defence under sustained pressure.
It paid off on the quarter hour, when Michael Monaghan’s brilliant and brave inside pass put Anderson over near the posts.
Only an outstanding last-ditch tackle by Shaun Briscoe prevented Anderson getting a second soon afterwards, and defence became the dominant theme of the remainder of the half.
Briers, with a chip and gather, looked to have created a breakthrough shortly before the break, but with players in support, the Warrington stand-off took the wrong option, attempting a kick-through that Briscoe blocked.
Throughout the half referee Phil Bentham had not impressed the home supporters, refusing to penalise what they felt were a series of offsides and forward passes. Their anger when Warrington took the lead shortly after the break was therefore considerable, because the pass from the right wing with which Matt King put Jon Clarke over appeared to be yards rather than inches forward.
Again, the response was immediate. First Dobson timed his short pass perfectly for prop Clint Newton, running on the angle, to breach the Wolves’ defensive line with surprising ease; then Cooke’s well-weighted grubber kick bounced unkindly for Mathers, and Ben Galea, following up, got just enough downward pressure on the ball to satisfy the video referee Richard Silverwood.
Gaps were beginning to appear, and on the hour, Scott Murrell’s sidestep and half-break set Rovers on their way to a length-of-the-field try which put them two scores clear. Daniel Fitzhenry took the ball on and released Dobson, who in turn sent Jake Webster clear.
The Rovers fans began to celebrate, but prematurely, as Briers’ kick was caught by King to keep the Wolves in touch. Bridge’s touchline goal reduced the gap to just four points.
And with 10 minutes remaining, Bridge turned try scorer, taking full advantage of Adrian Morley’s powerful break down the middle, and then goaling to put the Wolves ahead. But the drama for both sets of supporters did not finish there, with Dobson landing a penalty with two minutes left to take the tie in extra time.
Star man: Michael Dobson (Hull KR)
Scorers: Hull KR: Tries: Welham, Newton, Galea, Webster Goals: Dobson (4)
Warrington: Tries: V Anderson, Clarke, King, Bridge Goals: Bridge (4) Drop Goal: Briers
Referee: P Bentham
HULL KR: S Briscoe; P Fox, Webster, K Welham, L Colbon; P Cooke, M Dobson; N Fozzard, B Fisher, C Newton, S Gene, B Galea, S Murrell. Substitutes: M Aizue, D Fitzhenry, S Wheeldon, C Walker
WARRINGTON: R Mathers; C Riley, C Bridge, S Grix, M King; L Briers, M Monaghan; A Morley (capt), J Clarke, G Carvell, L Anderson, B Westwood, V Anderson. Substitutes: B Harrison, M Higham, P Rauhihi, P Wood
Source:The times