Round 4
Wigan Warriors 16 l. Hull KR 26

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Hull KR bounce back to stun Wigan
Sat March 3, 2007
Source: www.hullkr.co.uk

After a disappointing showing against the Harlequins the week before, the Robins needed to produce a strong display in their toughest Super League game of the season - away to the Wigan Warriors.
A daunting prospect for most top-flight sides, but the Red and Whites got off to a dream start, with Byron Ford going over in the first two minutes. A long kick from James Webster forced Chris Ashton to put a foot into touch as he attempted to keep the ball in play. This set up the position for Ben Cockayne to put Chris Chester into a gap. And the returning back-rower looped a pass over to Ford, who squeezed in at the corner. Gareth Morton missed the touchline conversion, but the Scotsman made up for it only three minutes later. The Warriors defence was caught offside thirty metres out from their own line, and Morton booted the ball straight and true to increase the Rovers lead to six points to nil.

Things got even better for the Robins as Wigan were made to pay for spurning several good positions through poor handling. A Chris Chester grubber into the in-goal area evaded winger Mark Calderwood and Byron Ford touched down for his second try of the game. Morton was again off-target with the touchline conversion, but the Robins were ten nil to the good, and playing the better of the rugby.

An already shell-shocked JJB Stadium couldn't believe what they were seeing, as their side caught out again by the red hot Robins. A Ben Fisher forty-twenty gave his side a great attacking platform, and the Australian hooker sneaked over to send the substantial travelling support crazy once again. Morton added the extras, but then the Robins were dealt a blow, when Jason Netherton was sin-binned for a late challenge on Thomas Leuluai. It looked as though this was going to signal a Wigan revival, but instead the Robins extended their lead twice more before the break!

First a high kick from James Webster was taken by Jon Goddard, the ball was kept alive, and Ben Cockayne put in a superb cross-kick for Luke Dyer to touch down wide out. Then, in the last minute of the half, Morton made amends for his missed conversions as he ploughed over at the corner and added the extras to leave the Wigan fans to boo their side from the field.

Half-Time: Wigan Warriors 0 Hull Kingston Rovers 26

There is nothing quite as dangerous as a wounded animal, and Wigan were certainly that. The Robins knew they would have to pick up where they left off in the first period, but they soon had their backs to the wall.

First, Mark Calderwood touched down, then Chris Chester was sent to the sin-bin for pulling back a Wigan player who was supporting a Calderwood break, and in the next set, Thomas Leuluai put Shane Millard over. Pat Richards added the extras, and the belief had returned to the Cherry and Whites. The Robins were struggling with a man in the bin, and they were soon behind their own posts again as Sean O'Loughlin touched down after Leuluai had put Harrison Hansen clear. Richards was once again on the mark with the conversion to cut the gap to ten points.

Rovers had to stem the tide of Wigan pressure, and with some great work from Byron Ford and Luke Dyer, diffusing dangerous kicks, they managed to gain some field position.

With ten minutes to go, two scores separated the sides, and heroic defence was needed to repel no less than five repeat sets on the Robins' line. Time was running out on the Warriors. The Red and White army was on its feet, singing their side to a memorable and historic win that will live long in the memory of all Rovers fans. And it was no less than the Robins deserved.

Full-Time: Wigan Warriors 16 Hull Kingston Rovers 26

Hull KR: 1. Ben Cockayne; 21. Luke Dyer, 3. Jon Goddard, 4. Gareth Morton, 5. Byron Ford; 6. Scott Murrell, 7. James Webster (c); 20. Mick Vella, 9. Ben Fisher, 8. Makali Aizue; 16. Jason Netherton, 28. Chris Chester, 14. Stanley Gene.
Replacements: 15. Jim Gannon, 18. Danny Ward, 12. Michael Smith, 13. Tommy Gallagher.

Wigan: 1. Chris Ashton; 2, Mark Calderwood, 3. Phil Bailey, 14. David Vaealiki, 5. Pat Richards; 4. Michael Withers, 7. Thomas Leuluai; 8. Stuart Fielden, 9. Mickey Higham, 10. Iafeta Palea'asina; 11. Gareth Hock, 12. Bryan Fletcher, 13. Sean O'Loughlin (c).
Replacements: 16. Shane Millard, 18. Paul Prescott, 19. Harrison Hansen, 21. Danny Hill.

Referee: Mr. P. Bentham
Attendance: 15,178

Hull KR:
Complete Sets: 20+14
Incomplete Sets: 2+2

Wigan:
Complete Sets: 7+21
Incomplete Sets: 8+5


Report source: www.hullkr.co.uk

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