A Liam Marshall hat-trick helped Wigan Warriors cruise past Hull Kingston Rovers at the DW Stadium the Round 21 of the Betfred Super League on Friday night. Here’s our verdict..
MATCH DETAILS
The Warriors got off to a flyer courtesy of second-row Farrell. A quick show of hands from Farrell on half-way found Gildart, who then fed Burgess to make plenty of ground on the left flank.
He was able to draw in the KR full-back Adam Quinlan which allowed Burgess to slip it back inside to find Liam Farrell in support to run over from 20 metres.
Hardaker added two more to the Warriors score in the 11th-minute via a successful penalty kick. Rovers conceded a dangerous tackle on George Williams to give the Cherry and Whites a shot on goal.
The Robins grabbed their first points of the game two minutes later through Quinlan. A pacey move down the right edge led to the ball finding winger Craig Hall, who fed the ball back inside to Quinlan to cross the whitewash in the corner.
Lam’s men didn’t wait long to put on another try, with Marshall going over in the corner in the 18th-minute. A well-timed pass from Hardaker drew out KR winger Ryan Shaw, to leave Marshall with plenty of room to touch down.
Wigan’s right edge proved dangerous once more in the 21st-minute when Marshall bagged his second of the game. Dan Sarginson this time the provider. Hardaker however failed to convert.
Hardaker scored a try of his own in the 37th-minute thanks to a well-placed kick from Williams. The half-back nudged one forward, upon realising the Rovers defenders were going to catch him, following a line break on the 40-metre line. Hardaker won the race to the ball and managed to touch down in the corner.
Marshall completed his hat-trick in the 54th-minute; a try that marked his 50th for the Club. A gut-busting run from prop forward Joe Bullock made up plenty of yards down the middle of the park.
After Rovers finally dropped him, a right edge move found its way to Marshall, who touched down in the corner. Hardaker again failing to add the extras.
Momentum firmly stayed with Wigan and just three minutes later they crossed again. Williams found himself 10 yards from the Rovers line with acres of space to stroll in and touch down under the posts.
The Warriors struck again in the 60th-minute through Farrell. The second row’s well-timed line break meant he could easily gallop home from 20 metres to score his second of the game.
Wigan piled on more misery for the Robins four minutes later, as Gildart scored touched down on his 100th Super League appearance.
Jarrod Sammut broke free of the Rovers line from half-way, but was unable to run the distance before being caught be two defenders. A clever offload to Gildart saw the centre cross the whitewash easily.
Just three minutes later, Burgess strolled home from 30 metres to score easily in the left corner and mark his 99th try for the Club.
Hull KR grabbed their first points of the second half in the 71st-minute via Quinlan. The full-back grabbed his second of the game, crossing the line in the left corner.
Shaw failed to add the extras and the try was nothing more than consolation as the Warriors ran out deserved 52-10 winners.
FOUR POINTERS
Still In Form
Wigan have now won their last five Betfred Super League games and move up to fourth in the table, just two points off third place Hull FC who had suffered a heavy defeat to St Helens.
Head coach Adrian Lam mentioned that it was his side’s “best performance of the season” and rightfully so as their run has put them in contention of a spot in the top three.
The Away Drought Continues
Hull KR’s heavy defeat means that they still have two league wins away from home which has kept them in the bottom four all season.
The result has also meant that Rovers sink to the bottom of the Super League (again) meaning that if they are to survive, they need to start winning away games.
A Night to Remember
Liam Marshall’s hat-trick has meant his club tally has surpassed 50 tries, his teammate Joe Burgess who sits on the other wing is also one try away from the benchmark.
Lam’s side also scored nine tries, including five in 13 minutes during the second half. A memorable night for Warriors fans but a night to forget for fans travelling back to East Hull.
Below Their Best
Rovers have looked like a team that are defying the odds since Tony Smith’s appointment as head coach as they’ve beaten Warrington Wolves and Hull FC.
However they look to be a different side when they play away from home. They didn’t look energised and didn’t move the ball quick enough against one of the best defences in the league.
Smith said the performance was “the least attractive rugby they’ve played” and now they have to do it all again next week against Leeds Rhinos.
THE RESULT
Wigan + 52
Tries: Farrell (4,60), Marshall (18,22,54), Hardaker (37), Williams (58), Gildart (64), Burgess (67)
Goals: (7)
Drop Goals: n/a
Hull KR + 10
Tries: Quinlan (13,70)
Goals: Shaw (1)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Wigan: Zak Hardaker, Liam Marshall, Dan Sarginson, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, George Williams, Thomas Leuluai, Tony Clubb, Sam Powell, Romain Navarre, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies
Interchanges: Joe Bullock, Chris Hankinson, Jarrod Sammut, Ollie Partington
Hull KR: Adam Quinlan, Ryan Shaw, Kane Linett, Ben Crooks, Craig Hall, Josh Drinkwater, Danny McGuire, Mitch Garbutt, Matt Parcell, Lui Johnson, Joel Tomkins, Harvey Livett, Weller Hauraki
Interchanges: Chris Atkin, Mose Masoe, Robbie Mulhern, Daniel Murray
