Uncompromising in defence, ruthless in attack, Warrington Wolves - rated a club in crisis after losing at home to Castleford Tigers last month - looked anything but as they beat a careless Hull Kingston Rovers side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium yesterday to claim fourth place in the engage Super League table.

James Lowes, who took over as caretaker coach after Paul Cullen's dismissal, was deservedly delighted with his team's second successive win under his charge and did his chances of a full-time appointment no harm. He has confirmed that he would like the job.

Warrington's commitment was evident and nowhere more so than in the contributions of Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood and Jon Clarke. In the second half particularly, Lee Briers tormented the opposition with his wide-ranging skills.

Justin Morgan, the Rovers coach, was optimistic at half-time, when his side were only two points adrift, but found that Warrington upped the tempo and took advantage of every opportunity. “Our second-half display was poor,” he admitted.

It was, in the main, an even first half, although Hull KR kicked poorly. Nonetheless, they answered Warrington's tries by Westwood, Martin Gleeson and Ben Harrison with three of their own by Chris Chester, Ben Fisher and the outstanding Shaun Briscoe.

Yet they were not to score again until after the final hooter had sounded, Peter Fox going over for a consolation. By then, Warrington had waltzed clear with some splendid running for tries by Briers, with two, Paul Rauhihi and Chris Riley. Chris Hicks landed five goals.