Currie serves up takeaway
NEIL JUKES insists Leigh have achieved nothing yet – despite putting one foot in Super League.
This was a fourth Qualifiers triumph from four for the Championship outfit.
One more win from their final three matches – including home games against Huddersfield and part- time Batley – is likely to secure promotion without having to navigate the Million Pound Game.
But boss Jukes was keen to keep any celebrations under BEN CURRIE’S try three minutes from time gave Warrington the ideal reply to their Challenge Cup final defeat.
Currie (right) touched down to clinch victory at Catalans Dragons, after he was denied being the hero at Wembley.
A week ago Currie – with a similar time on the clock – looked set to win Wire the Cup when he broke through the Hull defence, only for Danny control despite a stunning second triumph against Super League opposition.
The coach admitted he feared the worst when his side trailed 12-0 after a one-sided opening quarter.
But substitutes Harrison Hansen and Andrew Dixon led a comeback charge that was finally complete when Martyn Ridyard coolly potted a late drop goal.
Jukes said: “At 12-0, I thought we were going to get mullered. While we had effort, we couldn’t do anything right and it was a little bit like rabbits in the headlights.
“But we had a meeting at the hotel in Hull and spoke about coming to a moment that will test our resolve and unity as a group, and we either go in different directions or we pull together. They were beating us hands down in every department.
“But we hung in there and I’m delighted.
“But it’s nowhere near job done and the lads know that.
“Mathematically, 10 points doesn’t even guarantee it so we have to keep working hard.
“But to come and win at a place like Hull KR is a massive result for us.”
On the opposite side, defeat plunges Hull KR’s Super League status into doubt after pre-match controversy surrounding key man Albert Kelly.
The Australian scrum-half was suspended by the club for returning home late from a sanctioned family trip Down Houghton to deny him. But in France, Currie dotted down to earn Tony Smith’s men a win which edges them above Hull at the top of the table.
It had looked like an easy afternoon for Warrington at the Stade Gilbert Brutus with three first-half tries.
Half-back Declan Patton – in for Chris Sandow, who missed out after Wembley – scored tries in the sixth and 38th minutes, with recalled winger Kevin Penny also going in.
Patton slotted three goals and a Under, and his absence was telling in a potentially crucial defeat.
Robins coach James Webster said: “I’m not dodging the question.
“But it’s a simple remit for me – I coach the people that are available.
“The decision was made that Albert was not available for us today.
“We started the game really well and we didn’t get beat because of a lack of effort.
“But we made some crucial errors, particularly after half time. patched-up Wolves went in 18-0 up at the break. But fatigue was always likely to catch up with the visitors and in the second half Vincent Duport, ex-Wolf Richie Myler and Benjamin Garcia all crossed for the home side.
Tony Gigot converted and also slotted a penalty and Patton replied with one of his own, locking it at 20-all. Gigot put his side two points clear with a penalty until Currie went over to win it.