Dual hat-tricks rock Rovers

Tomkins: Three tries

Pat Richards and Sam Tomkins both scored hat-tricks as Wigan claimed a crushing 40-6 victory over Hull KR at the DW Stadium.

The Warriors' sixth straight engage Super League win brings them back level with Warrington and Huddersfield at the top of the table with a game in hand.

The reigning champions were forced into some resolute defending at times but produced some wonderful attacking play to run away with a comfortable victory.

The hosts made a bright start as Tomkins scored from the opening set in the second minute after evading a Jake Webster tackle to burst down the left and dummy his way over the line.

Richards added the extras and crossed the try-line himself after Brett Finch and George Carmont combined to send him over in the corner, with the winger converting to make it 12-0 inside 10 minutes.

Held up

The hosts threatened a third early try as Finch was halted short of the line before Richards was held up and Kris Welham collected Finch's high kick.

Rovers then hit back with their best spell yet but could not manage to score as Josh Charnley dealt with a dangerous grubber kick and Shaun Briscoe could not take in Michael Dobson's short ball as the Wigan defence saw off a four straight sets.

Rovers would finally get their first points on the board in the 36th minute as Green kicked behind Charnley for Ben Cockayne, who passed back inside for Welham to finish the move off.

Briscoe's slip allowed the restart to go behind for a drop-out and while Rovers managed to survive, they left themselves exposed as the half-time interval approached.

Tomkins sent a kick in behind Fox moments after the hooter sounded for Richards to reach, although the try was only confirmed after lengthy deliberation by video referee Ben Thaler.

Replays suggested Richards had bounced the ball down, but Thaler appeared to believe he had grounded it with his middle finger.

Errors

The start to the second half was filled with errors, with the visitors having the majority of possession, before a rare Tomkins fumble resulted in a goal-line drop-out.

But Wigan's stout defending managed to force a knock-on and they got back on the front foot after Charnley broke from deep and forced a penalty.

Tomkins received a pass from Finch on the left and stepped inside at least two defenders to touch down under the posts in the 59th minute.

Joel Tomkins released Charnley down the right before his brother Sam charged onto Thomas Leuluai's pass to cross the Rovers line for a third time in the 69th minute.

A certain try went then begging due to Paul Prescott's loose pass but Carmont charged upfield after taking Green's bomb and laid off for Richards to complete his treble before Joel Tomkins sent Carmont over in the closing stages.