“It’s a must win game” – Matty Ashton highlights importance of Hull KR clash

Josh McAllister
Matty Ashton

Warrington winger Matty Ashton believes his side’s clash against Hull KR is a must win game if they are to reach the play-offs this season.

Despite a rollercoaster year that has only included seven wins, Daryl Powell’s side remain just four points away from sixth-placed Hull FC.

Friday’s opposition in Hull KR sit just one place about Warrington in the table with 16 points. Both sides will be looking to pick up a vital two points at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with the play-offs still in sight.

“It’s a massive game for us,” Ashton told Love Rugby League.

“We’ve talked about that all week. At the end of the day it’s a must win game for us. 

“Obviously just to put our season to order again and just keep fighting for them play-offs every week. 

“I think the fans deserve it, so it’d be good to get one a win at home for the fans.

“They’ve [Hull KR] got some players who like to play off the cuff like Mikey Lewis with his skill game.

“They’ve got a strong back-line like Ryan Hall coming out of yardage. They like to play off the cuff rugby, so they’re a very hard team to defend.

“But I think we know what we’re ready for and hopefully the challenge ahead should be good and we need to get that win.”

Matty Ashton: ‘We’ve got to look upwards’

Warrington have picked up just two wins in their last five Super League games. They recently fell to a 35-22 defeat away to Castleford just a week after the impressive 36-10 Magic Weekend win over Catalans.

“It’s been tough at times,” Ashton added. “We’ve had our ups and downs. I think every team goes through it. 

“I think it’s about us all sticking together and getting through it and hopefully picking up more wins for the rest of the year. Obviously we want to keep fighting for them play-offs. We know it’s been tough. 

“We’ve got to look upwards, not downwards. We know what team we’ve got here. We just need to put it together and have that confidence in each other.

“I think it’s been down to more individuals, including myself, not having that consistency this year. As soon as you get that right, we will start picking up some wins and playing together as a team.”

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