Hull KR took a big step towards the second leg of a historic treble after a statement victory at the defending Super League champions, Wigan Warriors, left them with one hand on the League Leaders’ Shield.
Having already won the Challenge Cup earlier this summer, Willie Peters’ side are now six points clear of the second-placed Warriors with five rounds to go after producing a defensive masterclass to stun Matt Peet’s Wigan on a night that felt like it firmly underlined their credentials as Super League’s new force.
It was Rovers who dominated the majority of an engrossing first half. By the interval they led 8-0: an advantage which could, and perhaps should, have been even greater. It was no surprise that they took the lead given the dominance they had enjoyed.
Arthur Mourgue’s inch-perfect pass proved to be the moment that unlocked a resolute Wigan defensive line, allowing Dean Hadley to cut through and giving Rhyse Martin a straightforward conversion to make it 6-0 in favour of the Robins.
But Hull KR could have gone further ahead. Kelepi Tanginoa’s break was halted by some spirited Wigan defence and twice more the reigning champions kept their opponents at bay before a crucial moment four minutes before the interval.
Wigan captain Liam Farrell fouled his opposite number, Elliot Minchella, as he looked certain to ground a Jez Litten kick. It was a telling moment, Wigan’s leader and most experienced player committing a sure-fire foul to deny Hull KR a second try and sacrifice himself with his side visibly holding back the tide.
Martin kicked the resulting penalty to make it 8-0 and it was difficult to argue that the visitors didn’t deserve an even bigger lead.
Rovers continued to control proceedings after the break, though the Warriors were guilty of some seriously below-par handling, far from what we are used to from the defending champions.
Hull KR struck another blow as the game entered the final quarter after Wigan were penalised, with Martin adding another penalty to make it 10-0.
It looked as though the Robins would hold their opponents out all evening, before Adam Keighran’s try with six minutes remaining set up a grandstand finale after a handling error deep in the Robins’ half.
But the visitors held firm amid a late flurry of pressure from Wigan to secure a remarkable victory.
Wigan Field; Miski, Eckersley, Wardle, Marshall; Keighran, Smith; Havard, O’Neill, Byrne, Walters, Farrell, Ellis. Interchange Mago, Leeming, Dupree, Hill. Try Keighran. Goal Keighran. Sin bin Farrell.
Hull KR Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Batchelor, Burgess; Mourgue, Lewis; Sue, Litten, Whitbread, Hadley, Martin, Minchella. Interchange Waerea-Hargreaves, Luckley, Tanginoa, Leyland.Try Hadley. Goals Martin (3).
Referee Liam Moore.
