Megan Wellens
Digital Sports Journalist @MegWellensX
Four unanswered tries in the second half proved the difference for Wigan Warriors as they brought an end to Hull KR’s unbeaten start to the season; St Helens defeated Wakefield Trinity 26-14; Sky Sports is the only place to watch every Super League game live in 2025
Last Updated: 11/04/25 10:21pm
Beven French and Jai Field combine to extend the lead for Wigan against Hull KR
Beven French and Jai Field combine to extend the lead for Wigan against Hull KR
Wigan Warriors brought an end to Hull KR’s six-game unbeaten Betfred Super League run with a statement 28-12 victory at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Hull KR had a 12-6 lead at the break thanks to converted efforts from Joe Burgess and Peta Hiku, Wigan hitting back through a length-of-the-field effort from Zach Eckersley.
However, in the second half it was four unanswered tries from Wigan that were the difference, Jake Wardle and Harry Smith scoring before the hammer blow of Jai Field and Abbas Miski both going over to cement the Warriors’ win.
The victory for Wigan moves them into second place in the table on 10 points, just two points behind the Robins who keep top spot despite the loss.
Zach Eckersley sprints away to score an amazing solo try for Wigan
It also sends a big message to local foes St Helens as they prepare to face them in Rivals Round next week. St Helens also picked up a win as they beat Wakefield Trinity 26-14 at home.
Second-half dominance proves key for Wigan
With the always atmospheric Craven Park crowd in fine voice, Hull KR and Wigan rewarded them with a breathless opening to the contest, but it was the home team who broke the dam in the eighth minute, Burgess diving over in the corner in silky fashion and Arthur Mourgue converting to put the Robins 6-0 up.
Joe Burgess leaps for the line to open the scoring for Hull KR
After the arm wrestle that then ensued, it was a costly substitution from Hull KR that finally saw Wigan hit back, Micky McIlorum departing the field and leaving a hole which Wigan exploited.
With the space evident, Eckerlsey was sent racing down the field and won the foot race and go over, Smith converting to bring the scores level.
The referee has a joke after Junior Nsemba and Dean Hadley
However, just before the 30-minute mark, Hull KR had good field position and made it count, a top-drawer dummy from Tyrone May creating the gap for Hiku to go through for the hosts’ second try, Mourgue obliging with the conversion to give his side the six-point advantage.
A costly knock-on in the air from Field had Hull KR thinking they had extended their lead once again, but, with a forward pass in the build-up, May’s try was chalked off and the Robins went in 12-6 up at the break.
Jake Wardle slices through to close the gap for Wigan
Despite the home team looking like they were on top in the early exchanges of the second half, it was Wigan who were first to cross the whitewash, Field sending Wardle slicing through a gap for an unconverted effort that cut the Warriors’ deficit to two points with 35 minutes remaining.
Wigan had discovered a new gear in the second 40 and it paid dividends once again as, following a penalty to bring good territory, Smith ducked under to score then convert his own effort, giving Wigan the lead for the first time at 16-12 with just over 10 minutes left.
Harry Smith drops the shoulder to find the space to take the lead for Wigan
It was not long until the hammer blow was then dealt as a loose pass from Burgess, trying to avoid touch, was picked up by French and sent on to Field to produce the afterburners and score, the icing on the cake coming with just two minutes remaining as Miski took advantage of some poor fumbles at the back from a bad Mourgue pass, Smith converting both to secure a solid 28-12 win for Wigan.
Super League Round 7- upcoming fixtures (all live on Sky Sports+ via the red button)
Sat April 12: Warrington vs Hull FC – 5.30pm
Sat April 12: Castleford vs Leigh – 8pm
Sun April 13: Huddersfield vs Catalans – 3pm
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining four matches each week shown on Sky Sports+ via the red button.
