Warriors win away at Hull KR
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park on Friday Night.
- Tries from Eckersley, Wardle, Field, Smith and Miski earned the Warriors the win.
- FT | Hull KR 12-28 Wigan Warriors.
Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park on Friday Night.
It was an intense first 40 at Sewell Group Craven Park as Joe Burgess went over for the first score. Zach Eckersley levelled the game with a great supporting effort to Bevan French as Patrick Mago came off the interchange bench to make his 100th appearance for Wigan. A converted Peta Hiku effort on the half hour saw Hull KR in with the 12-6 lead at the break.
Four second half tries from Wigan saw Jake Wardle race through the defence, Harry Smith dart over and a racing finish from Jai Field. Abbas Miski added the final effort of the evening to see Wigan overturn the deficit to take home the two points with a 28-12 victory on the road.
Report
After a feisty opening five minutes, Hull KR broke the deadlock through former Warrior Joe Burgess who went in for a diving effort on the left edge. The video referee was called in for assistance but the try was awarded to give the home side an early advantage. Mourgue’s conversion from the touchline was good as the Robins led 6-0.
Zach Eckersley got the leveller for Wigan on 20 minutes, a great offload from Abbas Miski allowed Bevan French to find a gap, feeding Zach Eckersley who raced 70m to score close to the uprights. Harry Smith added the two and it was 6-apiece.
Peta Hiku swung the game back in Hull KR’s favour 10 minutes later as a gap opened up on the attack for the centre to strike. Arthur Mourgue converted again to make it 12-6 with 9 minutes until the half-time hooter.
Hull KR had a further effort denied shortly afterwards by Tyrone May as the ball went forward in the build-up for the hosts to hold on to the 12-6 lead at the turnaround.
Hull KR once again thought they’d extended their lead 5 minutes into the second half as a kick-through was knocked on as Joe Burgess tried to ground the effort. Wigan then went up the other end and a great turn of pace saw Jake Wardle burst through the line to score. Harry Smith’s touchline conversion went the wrong side of the posts as Hull KR held the narrow 12-10 advantage.
A physical encounter continued as both sides had to put in some solid defence, with Wigan continuing to look for another score and they did so in the 67th minute. A six-again for failing to clear the ruck allowed Wigan a full set in good field position and a smart switch from Harry Smith saw the half-back dart over to put Wigan ahead for the first time in the match. Smith converted his own effort for 16-12 to the Warriors as we entered the final 10 minutes.
Wigan extended the lead moments later, a big tackle from Abbas Miski forcing a loose ball from KR which Bevan French collected to send a galloping Jai Field racing through the middle of the park to go in under the sticks. Smith converted and it was 22-12 with 7 minutes to go.
Abbas Miski then looked to have got over in the dying minutes, the video referee had a second look with the winger grounding the ball to notch Wigan further ahead. Harry Smith converted to confirm a 28-12 victory on the road for the Warriors.
Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Jez Litten, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Elliot Minchella.
Interchange: Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent, Jack Brown.
18th Player: Eribe Doro.
Tries: Burgess (7′), Hiku (29′)
Goals: Mourgue 2/2
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Sam Walters, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchange: Brad O’Neill, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.
18th Player: Jack Farrimond.
Tries: Eckersley (20′), Wardle (45′), Smith (67′), Field (71′), Miski (77′)
Goals: Smith 4/5
Referee: Jack Smith.
