MATCH DETAILS
Hull KR picked up an important win over Wigan Warriors at the KC Lightstream Stadium on Friday night., securing an unexpected 24-8 win over high-flying Wigan.
The Warriors opened the scoring through Joel Tomkins when two Rovers defenders couldn’t deal with a George Williams grubber kick.
The home side bounced back when Junior Vaivai found the end of a smart Tommy Lee kick, beating Tom Davies to ground the ball.
The Robins soon put themselves in front when fancy footwork saw Will Dagger offload the ball to Adam Quinlan, who used his small stature to burst over the line.
Wigan had many chances just before half time to break down the Hull KR defence but the home side stood their ground and were able to take a 10-8 into the break.
Chris Atkin produced a bit of individual magic in the second half. The England Knights half back scooted from hooker and dummied twice to cross the try line.
Joel Tomkins was sent to the sin bin with 11 minutes to go for dissent, before the game was rounded off by Junior Vaivai, who notched his second of the evening.ย John Bateman looked for a desperate offload but the ball could only find the floor, with James Greenwood ready to pounce on the loose ball and find Vaivai who raced home to send the red and white fans home happy.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
Performance of the season
Tim Sheens stated in his post match interview that this was his sides performance of the season, and no one can argue with the former Australia coach.
Wigan’s run comes to an end
Wigan’s eight game winning run came to an end following the defeat showing they aren’t quite the finished package just yet. Shaun Wane’s men will be looking to bounce back with a strong cup performance against Warrington next Saturday, a game which promises to be the highlight of the Challenge Cup quarter finals.
Man Of The Match- Junior Vaivai
The man of the match award could’ve been given to many players but for me, Vaivai’s two tries and his try saving tackle gives him the edge.
THE RESULT
Hull KR 24
Tries:ย Vaivai (23, 74), Quinlan (27), Atkin (51)
Goals:ย Tickle 4/5
Drop Goals: n/a
Wigan 8
Tries:ย J Tomkins (7)
Goals: S Tomkins (2/2)
Drop Goals:ย n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR:ย Quinlan; Wallis, Salter, Vaivai, Carney; Dagger, Blair; Johnson, Lee, Greenwood, Clarkson, Tickle, Donaldson.
Interchanges:ย Masoe, Scruton, Atkin, Kavanagh.
Wigan:ย S Tomkins; Davies, Bateman, Forsyth, L Marshall; Williams, Escare; Navarrete, Powell, Flower, Isa, Farrell, J Tomkins.
Interchanges:ย Clubb, Sutton, Tautai, Ganson.
Referee:ย Ben Thaler
