Hull 16-30 Warrington

MATCH FACTS Hull: 16 (6) Tries: Kearney, Blacklock (2) Goals: Cooke 2 Warrington 30 (16) Tries: Swann (2), Grose, Kohe-Love (2) Goals: Johns (5)

Warrington held off a battling Hull side to seal a gripping victory and climb to third in the Super League.

The home side were made to pay for some sloppy defending in the first half as Logan Swann rolled over two quick tries before Brent Grose added a third.

Steven Kearney went over for Hull just before the break and a fightback saw Nathan Blacklock add a second.

Warrington rallied and a Toa Kohe-Love braced stretched their lead as a second Blacklock score was too late for Hull.

Hull had surged forward in the opening stages but the first time their defence came under pressure from Warrington their game quickly fell apart.

A breakaway move by Wolves was rewarded with a try by Swann after five minutes.

We think Danny (Brough) has a broken leg, which is not a good way to finish the season Hull coach John Kear

Andrew Johns missed the conversion but Wolves quickly added more points as Lee Briers fed a short pass to Swann for the New Zealander's second try.

Briers then made a brilliant interception and surged down the field in a solo run only to be halted by Richie Barnett.

But the resulting play saw Grose nip over for a one-handed try right beside the posts and Johns added the extras as Wolves built up a 16-0 lead.

Hull were stirred out of their lethargy by replacements Jamie Thackray and Paul King.

The home side's fightback was rewarded six minutes before half-time when Kearney managed to ground the ball with three players clinging to him.

Hull kept up the momentum after half-time but despite a wave of attacks Wolves held firm.

Chris Bridge helped switch the play Warrington's way with a long run and Johns edges the visitors further ahead with a penalty after King was guilty of a high tackle on the Australian.

Hull continued to press forward and Blacklock pulled them back into contention, walking over a try after a clean pass from Cooke in the 55th minute.

But the absorbing contest swung back in Warrington's favour when Kohe-Love strolled over for a try after picking up a bad bounce.

Bridge made a long run to feed Kohe-Love for his second and Johns, who had a quiet game for the Wolves, added the conversion.

Blacklock stole a try for Hull in the dying minutes of the match but it was mere consolation.

The result saw Warrington record their highest-ever Super League finish and means they will be at home for the first play-off match next weekend.

There was more bad news for Hull as scrum-half Danny Brough was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

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Hull coach John Kear:

"There were a lot of heroic performances tonight so we're still quite upbeat.

"Where we go is out of our hands. We'll just turn up ready to play."

But Kear had bad news after scrum-half Danny Brough was injured: "We think Danny has a broken leg, which is not a good way to finish the season."

Warrington coach Paul Cullen:

"It was purely precautionary and a little bit of insurance for next week.

"John Kear will produce one or two aces and we want to make sure the main ace up our sleeve is fit and fresh.

"I was delighted with our effort. Our defence tonight was superb."

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Hull: Saxton, Blacklock, Faumuina, Raynor, Barnett, Whiting, Brough, Dowes, Swain, Carvell, McMenemy, Kearney, Cooke. Replacements: King, Thackray, Chester, G. Horne.

Warrington: Grose, Fa'afili, M. Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Bridge, Briers, Johns, Leikvoll, N. Wood, P. Wood, Swann, Noone, Clarke. Replacements: Hilton, M. Gleeson, Lima, Bracek.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)