Wigan 44-6 Hull KR: Warriors crush Rovers on Super League Easter Monday
Last Updated: 02/04/18 6:35pm
Wigan bounced back to winning ways in the Betfred Super League as they ran in eight tries in testing conditions to beat Hull KR 44-6.
Fresh from losing a bruising derby to St Helens, the Warriors took a firm hold of the game with five tries in 13 minutes through Sam Tomkins, Liam Farrell (two), George Williams and Liam Marshall as Hull KR failed to create one clear chance in the opening 40 minutes.
Marshall was the hero in the second period as he scored three tries to take his match total to four as Wigan recorded their sixth win from eight games in 2018.
The opening 20 minutes failed to live up to expectations for both sides, the best chance falling to Wigan when Sam Tomkins made a jinking run down the right but his pass was put down by Dan Sarginson who had Tom Davies waiting on his outside for a pass.
Gabe Hamlin was introduced after 20 minutes for his Wigan debut just as Sarginson made a break deep in Hull KR's half, but the chance came to nothing.
The Warriors finally got on the scoresheet in the 25th minute when Sam Tomkins forced his way over from close range. He added the extras to put the Warriors 6-0 in front.
Hull KR were struggling to cause Wigan any real problems in the driving rain, while the Warriors were starting to hit their stride and they were soon over again as George Williams and Liam Farrell continued their partnership down the left, with the latter taking a short ball before racing over. Sam Tomkins converted for a 12-0 advantage.
Williams was starting to take control now and a neat interchange with Marshall saw the stand-off race 30 metres to cross for Wigan's third try just after the half-hour mark.
The Warriors still had time to add two more tries before the break as Sam Tomkins took on the Rovers line before kicking ahead for Marshall to touch down.
It was then Williams' turn to cause problems with his kicking game as he slid one across for Farrell to grab his second as Wigan led 26-0 at half-time.
The Robins finally got on the scoresheet after 45 minutes with their first real attack of the game, Chris Atkin chasing his own grubber kick to touch down. Ryan Shaw converted as they trailed 26-6.
Wigan extended their lead five minutes later, as Hamlin set up good field position with a strong run and Joel Tomkins and Williams combined before Sam Tomkins put in a neat grubber for Marshall to ground in the corner for his second.
Romain Navarrete and Hamlin were punching holes in the Rovers defence as Wigan looked to boost their points difference. The Robins were put on a team warning for consistent offending and they were soon reduced to 12 men as Josh Johnson was sin-binned.
The Warriors took full advantage with Marshall grabbing his hat-trick as they had the overlap down the left. The winger soon added a fourth as he chased down a kick from Williams to outpace the Rovers defence and touch down.
A late penalty from Sam Tomkins saw them claim an impressive 44-6 success.
