Warriors reach Wembley
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors beat Hull KR in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium.
- The Warriors scored seven tries in an emphatic performance to progress to the Betfred Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
- FT | Hull KR 6-38 Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors scored seven tries to defeat Hull KR 38-6 in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final to progress to Wembley Stadium.
The Warriors made one change from the 17 that beat Huddersfield Giants the previous week as Sam Walters made his long-awaited Wigan debut in place of the suspended Liam Byrne.
Report
Wigan attacked the stand holding their own fans in the first half as both sides completed their early sets before Wigan took the lead on four minutes when play switched from right to left. Hull KR did their best to stop Jake Wardle but his long reach completed the touchdown. Harry Smith’s touchline conversion attempt drifted wide but Wigan had an early lead.
The Warriors were forced to defend repeat sets on 12 minutes but the defence held firm to keep Hull KR at bay. The siege on the Wigan line ended when Liam Marshall jumped bravely to collect a Mikey Lewis chip to the corner, before he fought his way past two advancing Hull KR players to safety outside his in-goal area.
Wigan moved upfield and a brilliant chip into the corner by Bevan French was collected by Abbas Miski who dived over the live at an incredible angle to touchdown. Chris Kendall referred to the video referee who awarded the try. Smith’s touchline conversion went straight between the post to increase Wigan’s lead.
Lewis almost scored for Hull KR on 20 minutes when he kicked ahead on the fifth tackle, caught it himself and the chipped ahead, however, the ball ran over the dead-ball line.
Wigan went further ahead on 28 minutes when Junior Nsemba powered his way over. The set started with Wardle cleverly taking the ball from a high kick through by Smith before play was spread from left to right to send the second rower over. Despite a missed kick, Wigan led 18-0.
Hull KR went close when veteran Ryan Hall dived over in the corner despite the attendance of three Wigan defenders. The video referee took his time reviewing the decision, however, the score was disallowed due to Hall’s not being in control of the ball as it was grounded.
The Warriors turned up the pace before the break as two tries in quick succession built a 24-0 lead. First Miski went over after Wigan capitalised on a Hull KR handling error before a clever kick inside from Marshall was collected by Smith who scored. Adam Keighran took over kicking duties to add the extras on the hooter.
Wigan’s first attack of the second half resulted in a penalty which Adam Keighran opted to kick at goal and put Warriors five scores in front before Hull KR responded when Lewis’ clever offload found Joe Burgess who dived over in the corner. The extras reduced the score to 26-6.
From the restart an error gifted possession back to the Warriors, and following multiple carries through the middle, a short pass from Leeming set Dupree up to power over from close range. Keighran added the extras to make the score 32-6 on 54 minutes.
Sam Walters made his long-awaited debut on hour, before tempers boiled over minutes later when Keighran and Tom Opacic were shown yellow cards for an off the ball incident.
Wigan regrouped quickly and a crossfield kick by Miski went through several pairs of hands before Jake Wardle scored his second try on 66 minutes. Harry Smith resumed kicking duties with Keighran in the sin bin and his kick was accurate and gave Wigan a 32 point lead.
Hull KR threatened in the final stages of the match, however, Wigan stood firm to maintain their 38-6 lead to make their return to Wembley Stadium.
Gallery:
Hull KR : Niall Evalds, Joe Burgess, Peta Hiku, Tom Opacic, Ryan Hall, Tyrone May, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella
Interchanges: George King, Matt Parcell, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanganoa.
18th Player: Matty Storton
Tries: Burgess (50′).
Goals: Lewis (1/1).
Sin Bin: Opacic (64′).
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchanges: Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters.
18th Player: Harvie Hill.
Tries: Wardle (4’, 66’), Miski (14’, 35’), Nsemba (28’), Smith (38’) Dupree (54’).
Goals: Smith (2/5), Keighran (3/3).
Sin Bin: Keighran (64′).
Referee: Chris Kendall
Attendance: 11,163.
