Warriors downed by Rovers

• Wigan Warriors suffer Round 11 defeat to Hull KR.
• Tries from Powell, Smith and Hastings not enough for the Warriors.
• Full time: Hull Kingston Rovers 34-18 Wigan Warriors

Wigan’s winning run post-lockdown came to an end as Hull KR gained their first win over the Warriors since 2016 at Emerald Headingley Stadium.

Before kick off, the two sides found themselves at opposite ends of the Betfred Super League table, with Wigan in first and Hull KR in 11th. However, it was the Robins who came away with the spoils on Thursday evening.

After some end-to-end action in the opening five minutes, Wigan struck first through hooker Sam Powell in the ninth. A short ball from Harry Smith just two metres from the Rovers line found the on-running Powell who crashed over for the four points.

It took KR just eight minutes to respond through Elliot Minchella. A line-break on halfway from hooker Jez Litten eventually provided the assist to the forward who was in support.

The momentum of the game swung further in the favour of Tony Smith’s side in the 21st-minute when Greg Minikin grabbed a second try for the Robins.

They added further pressure to Wigan in the 23rd, scoring a third try and the second of the evening for Minchella, thanks to a flashy offload from Jordan Abdull.

Wigan didn’t take long to grab a try back, when provider-turned-scorer Smith crossed the whitewash. A free-flowing move saw a pass-and-return between Willie Isa and Smith, setting up the half-back to touch down.

Rovers would head in the happier of the two sides at the break as Minikin crossed for a second in the corner on the stroke of half time. 

It took just three minutes for the Robins to score again, this time through Dean Hadley, latching onto an Abdull offload to cross in the corner.

Minikin grabbed his third of the game in the 46th-minute after another move down the left came good for Rovers.

Wigan scored their first points of the half in the 71st when a clever run from dummy-half by Jackson Hastings enabled the Warriors No.31 to touch down to the left of the posts.

The Robins extended their lead on the 76th when Abdull kicked a penalty to add an extra 2 points.

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Hull Kingston Rovers: Will Dagger, Ethan Ryan, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kane Linnett, Greg Minikin, Jordan Abdull, Mikey Lewis, Weller Hauraki, Jez Litten, George Lawler, Matty Storton, Dean Hadley, Elliot Minchella.

Interchanges: Joe Keyes, Daniel Murray, Nathaniel Peteru, Harvey Livett.

Tries: Minchella (17′, 23′), Minikin (21′, 40′ 46′), Dean Hadley (23′)

Conversions: Lewis (2/3), Dagger (2/3)

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Dom Manfredi, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Jake Bibby, Harry Smith, Jackson Hastings, Ben Flower, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Oliver Partington.

Interchanges: Amir Bourouh, Mitch Clark, Joe Greenwood, Joe Shorrocks.

Tries: Powell (9′), Smith (27′), Hastings (71′)

Conversions: Hardaker (3/3)