Warriors still in the hunt

Wigan's hopes of reaching the play-offs were boosted by their 40-24 victory at Hull KR.

Brian Noble's men scored a comfortable success over a side who secured their Super League status with a resounding derby win over Hull last weekend.

The Warriors moved themselves about Warrington into the top six, but with competition fierce for a play-off place they know they must win at bitter rivals St Helens on Friday to hold on.

Despite posting seven tries to see off the Robins, the Cherry and Whites must perform considerably better if they are to defeat the league leaders in five days' time.

For spells, especially in the second half, their composure left a lot to be desired and should be of concern to Noble, especially against under-cooked opponents.

Off the pace

Despite being well off the pace in defence, Rovers were able to notch five tries of their own as they aimed to win their first home game since March. Had Paul Cooke not failed with three conversions, they may well have done so.

Rovers were soon two scores behind, with Pat Richards sending in Liam Colbon in the corner for Wigan's first try after just two minutes.

Darrell Goulding then barged his way over for a second try four minutes later, with Richards adding the conversion each time.

The early shock seemed to wake the home side and they could have been back in the game almost instantly had captain James Webster not spilt the ball after Rhys Lovegrove made the best of Cooke's cut-out pass to send him clear.

A close-range charge from Scott Murrell got Rovers off the mark with 21 minutes gone before three further Wigan tries before the break ended the contest.

The first of the trio came from David Vaealiki, who went over after a neat Sean O'Loughlin pass, with Richards again slotting the extras.

Andreas Bauer then pinched one back for Rovers, before a second from Colbon and a Paul Prescott score extended the Wigan lead.

Prescott's try came as he exploited Rovers' weak defence down the middle, although an apparent block from referee Ian Smith on the covering Ian Hardman did little to assist. Richards' fourth goal set up an interval lead of 28-8.

Iain Morrison crept in from Webster's pass four minutes into the second period to revive the home side a little, but Cooke's third failed conversion - this time a wild effort that flew hopelessly wide - left them three scores in arrears.

The difference between the home side defensively and offensively was again underlined as Thomas Leuluai hurdled three tacklers to reach over the line.

A combination of goalline drop-outs and penalties then forced Wigan to defend five straight sets, which they did with considerable ease, although a debut try for youngster Kris Welham with 10 minutes remaining was due reward for the home side's second-half efforts.

With Cooke opting out of converting, Mark Lennon duly obliged.

Had Lennon been handed the kicking tee earlier, Wigan could have had a much harder time of it too, with a Rhys Lovegrove try and Lennon goal three minutes from the hooter reducing the deficit further, only for Mark Calderwood to cross for Wigan right at the end.