Two tries from Liam Farrell and Joe Burgess’ 100th for the Club helped Wigan Warriors to a 36-18 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League on Friday night. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
Wigan drew first blood through George Williams in the 5th-minute. A fantastic solo effort saw the stand-off break the KR line 40 metres out with a vicious step. Putting his pace to good use, Williams ran home to score just left of the posts.
The Robins bounced back through Ryan Shaw in the 10th-minute. Making good use of a penalty conceded by the Warriors on their own 10-metre line, Rovers shipped the ball out to the right edge to see their No.5 score in the corner.
The Warriors regained the lead in the 16th-minute through winger Liam Marshall. A tidy grubber executed by Thomas Leuluai 10-metres out caused a lot of confusion in the KR defence and it was ultimately pounced on by Marshall in the right corner.
KR responded again in the 37th-minute through Ben Crooks. A grubber from Michael Lewis found the centre to touch down. Shaw converted his second kick of the night, bringing the scores all level just before half-time.
Wigan started the second half as they started the first, by scoring the first try of the half. Liam Farrell latched onto a short ball from Sam Powell a couple of metres from the try line to touch down under pressure from two Rovers defenders.
Just two minutes later, the Robins clawed a try back through Josh Drinkwater. A grubber just 10-metres out from Drinkwater eluded a number of players from both sides in the in-goal area, leaving the half-back to chase his own kick and touch down.
The home side took the lead for the fourth time in the 57th-minute through Tom Burgess. The winger scored his 100th try for the Club, as a typically swift move down the left edge saw Oliver Gildart draw two KR defenders and feed the waiting Burgess, who crossed in the corner.
The Warriors extended their lead in the 68th-minute through Tony Clubb. A powerful 10-metre carry from the prop forward was too much for the Rovers defensive line, and the experienced forward rode a couple of tackles to touch down just to the right of the posts.
Wigan took further advantage of a tiring KR defence, scoring their sixth try of the night through Farrell in the 75th-minute. Collecting the ball 25 metres out, Farrell went on a marauding cross-field run from left to right to score to the right of the uprights and seal the Warriors’ eighth win from their last nine Betfred Super League games.
FOUR POINTERS
The Momentum Continues
As pointed out before, Wigan sealed their eighth win in their previous nine games and have moved up to third in the Super League table.
The Cherry and Whites had full control of the game and were able to pounce in the last 20 minutes when Rovers looked restless.
Tough Crack
The win-loss pattern continued for Tony Smith’s side as they couldn’t get their first two points at the DW Stadium in ten years.
Although the Red Robins were on par with Wigan and Australian head coach believed that if his side were more clinical with their chances it would have been a different result.
For Rovers it looks like they will have to rely on their previous opponents Castleford to do a job on London, if they are to retain their two point advantage over the Broncos.
Wigan Look Up to Lam
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Wigan head coach believed his half-time team talk helped his team to remain in full control of the second half.
Apparently he wasn’t impressed with his side’s performance in the first half, and the talk that was mentioned looked to have a positive effect on the team.
The Warriors dominated field position which meant Rovers struggled to get out of their own half of the pitch, it was only Drinkwater’s try that remained the second-half highlight for the East Hull side.
Wigan showed once again that they have the best defence in the league and Lam has expressed his desire of that.
Three Debutants Step Out
Wigan brought in former Parametta Eels player Bevan French who swapped for Tom Burgees after the latter bagged his 100th try in the second-half.
Hull KR also brought in one of their academy graduates Michael Lewis who had a dream debut as he recorded a full 80 minutes and helped provide two tries.
Kyle Trout also made his debut for the Robins following his announcement on Monday and looked confident on the ball.
THE RESULT
Wigan – 36
Tries: Williams (7), Marshall (15), Farrell (45,74), Burgess (57), Clubb (68)
Goals: Hardaker (6)
Drop Goals: n/a
Hull KR – 18
Tries: Shaw (10), Crooks (38), Drinkwater (48)
Goals: Shaw (3)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Wigan: Zak Hardaker, Liam Marshall, Chris Hankinson, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, George Williams, Thomas Leuluai, Tony Clubb, Sam Powell, Oliver Partington, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.
Interchanges: Joe Greenwood, Bevan French, Ben Flower, Liam Byrne.
Hull KR: Adam Quinlan, Ryan Shaw, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Will Dagger, Michael Lewis, Josh Drinkwater, Mose Masoe, Chris Atkin, Daniel Murray, Joel Tomkins, Weller Hauraki, Dean Hadley.
Interchanges: Kyle Trout, Robbie Mulhern, Jez Litten, Owen Harrison.
