Spirited Warriors beaten at Hull KR

• Match Report as a young Wigan Warriors side fall to defeat at Hull KR.
• Seven debutants for Wigan in what was a spirited performance at Sewell Group Craven Park.
• FT | Hull KR 38-28 Wigan Warriors.

Despite a spirited performance and a terrific effort, a youthful Wigan Warriors side were beaten 38-28 by Hull KR on Monday afternoon.

Three tries in the opening 27 minutes put the home side in a commanding lead, but there was hope for the Warriors on the half hour mark after Oliver Partington scored – seconds after returning to the pitch following a yellow card.

The Robins posted two more touchdowns before half time to put them in control at the break. The home side then scored another two before the 60th minute, but Wigan were not going down without a fight.

Ben O’Keefe scored on debut before Hull KR scored their seventh and final try, but there were three more tries to come for the Cherry and Whites in the last 10 minutes. Jack Bibby touched down for his first senior try before Sam Halsall and James McDonnell crossed over.

Despite a late flurry of tries from the Warriors, Hull KR held on for the victory in what was an entertaining game at Sewell Group Craven Park.

Report

With a top two finish confirmed following last Friday’s win over St Helens, it was a youthful Warriors squad travel that travelled over to Hull.

Matt Peet gave debuts to seven youngsters as Alex Sutton, Junior Nsemba and Ben O’Keefe all started, while Harvie Hill, Jack Bibby, Tom Forber and Zach Eckersley all came off the bench. It was a proud day for the Warriors Academy system as all seven debutants came through the system – from Scholarship to Academy and now first team.

Oliver Partington Captained his hometown Club for the first time, while Ethan Havard returned from a lengthy spell out with an ankle injury.

After a set restart on their own 40-metre line, Hull KR gained possession inside the Wigan half and that led to the opening try as Will Tate crossed over after some neat hands down the left flank. Rowan Milnes missed the kick. 4-0 the score.

The Robins’ second try came again on the left edge as they moved it out wide and Ryan Hall was there to get past Umyla Hanley and power over for the home side’s second of the afternoon. Milnes couldn’t convert. 8-0.

Wigan’s task became more difficult midway through the first half as Partington was sent to the bin for 10 minutes. The Wigan Captain was shown a yellow card for a coming together with one of the Hull KR players after referee Chris Kendall blew his whistle for a penalty, following a dangerous tackle from Ethan Havard.

Just before the half hour mark, the Robins made the most of the extra man and posted their third try of the afternoon. A Milnes grubber kick through the Wigan defence caused all sorts of danger and Korbin Sims was there to touch down towards the right of the sticks. Milnes added the two. 14-0.

On 30 minutes, Wigan got their first try as some brilliant feet from Sam Halsall allowed the centre to get the ball away with one hand to the supporting Partington, who had just come back on the field from his sin-bin, and the Captain touched down. Ben O’Keefe added the two. 14-6.

Five minutes later, Hull KR extended their lead as Kane Linnet powered over. On the last tackle and on Wigan’s line, the Robins pounced and prop forward Linnett took a short pass to go over under the sticks. Milnes converted. 20-6.

Into the second half and Zach Fishwick put his side further in front as he dived over from close range. A lapse in concentration in the Wigan line allowed Fishwick to go over for his side’s fifth of the afternoon. Milnes added the two. 26-6.

Another Hull KR try followed just before the hour mark. A nice pass from Milnes created space in the Wigan line and allowed Ethan Ryan to go through the gap and score. Milnes converted. 32-6.

Wigan’s performance wasn’t short of effort as O’Keefe got the visitors’ second try. The winger took a pass out wide and sprinted towards the line, managing to touch down with one hand, despite the efforts from the chasing Hull KR defenders to bring him down. O’Keefe converted his own try with a brilliant kick from the touchline. 32-12.

Hull KR strengthened their advantage in the 67th-minute as Ryan crossed over for his second try of the game. It was Tate who darted for the line before getting the ball away to Ryan who was there to touch down. Milnes added the two. 38-12.

Into the final 10 minutes and shortly after coming on for his debut, Jack Bibby got on the scoresheet. The prop forward took a short pass and darted over from close range under the sticks. O’Keefe made it three from three with the kicks. 38-18.

Three minutes from the final hooter and Sam Halsall grabbed Wigan’s fourth try. Halsall, who was playing in the halves with Logan Astley, ran through the Hull KR line to add to Wigan’s points tally. O’Keefe kick hit the inside of the right post and went over. 38-24.

The final try of the game came from James McDonnell. A break down the right edge from Abbas Miski was supported by McDonnell and the second rower was there to take the pass and ease over. O’Keefe missed the kick, seeing the scoreline end 38-28.

The defeat means Wigan can no longer win the League Leaders’ Shield with St Helens now four points ahead of the Warriors with one regular game to go in the Betfred Super League.

Wigan host Catalans Dragons in Round 27 at the DW Stadium on Friday 2nd September.

Hull KR: Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Ethan Ryan, Sam Wood, Will Tate, Ryan Hall, Rowan Milnes, Elliot Minchella, Will Maher, Matt Parcell, George King, Korbin Sims, Kane Linnett, Matty Storton.

Interchange: Albert Vete, Connor Moore, Zach Fishwick, Connor Barley.

Tries: Tate (4′), Hall (14′), Sims (27′), Storton (35′), Fishwick (49′), Ryan (56′, 67′)

Goals: Milnes 5/7

Wigan Warriors: Umyla Hanley, Abbas Miski, Jake Bibby, Alex Sutton, Ben O’Keefe, Sam Halsall, Logan Astley, Ethan Havard, Joe Shorrocks, Patrick Mago, Junior Nsemba, James McDonnell, Oliver Partington.

Interchange: Harvie Hill, Jack Bibby, Tom Forber, Zach Eckersley.

Tries: Partington (30′), O’Keefe (59′), Jack Bibby (71′), Halsall (77′), McDonnell (79′)

Goals: O’Keefe 4/5

Sin-bin: Partington (20′)

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 7,315