Hull KR 14 Wigan Warriors 46: Four-try Tomkins punishes Hull KR’s profligacy

Greg Eden offloads in the tackleGreg Eden offloads in the tackle
Greg Eden offloads in the tackle
A SAM Tomkins hat-trick proved the crucial difference as Hull KR missed a glorious opportunity to reach the Tetley’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

They had shown so much determination, spirit and, in particular, aggression during an at times brutal first half, leading 4-0 for the majority and blowing a couple of opportunities to extend that advantage as error-strewn Super League leaders Wigan Warriors struggled to find any cohesion.

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However, for all the visitors’ shortcomings – they also saw ex-Hull KR stand-off Blake Green depart injured after just eight minutes – all it needed was a couple of flashes of quality from England star Tomkins to change the entire shape of yesterday’s contest and undo all Rovers’ hard work.

From a standing start, the elusive full-back put on his trademark sidestep to prise open their defence from 10m out and weave over in the 34th minute and, when Omari Caro carelessly spilled a poor Sam Powell kick at the end of the next set, Tomkins was offered another opportunity to strike.

This time he was more fortuitous, though, as his grubber ricocheted back into his grasp for him to simply fall over the line.

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Pat Richards converted both to see Wigan lead 12-4 at the break but Rovers – with their pack in commanding form – will have still fancied their chances of causing an upset at MS3 Craven Park.

However, when the irrepressible Tomkins completed his treble just three minutes into the second period, latching onto Richards’s break down the middle, there would be no reprieve and so it is Wigan who go on and look to emulate the feat of the town’s football side who, of course, won the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday in a shock victory over Manchester City.

They eased home in the end, Tomkins actually getting a fourth as he chased down his own kick late on, although there was never any chance of Rovers capitulating in the manner they did six weeks previously when they were embarrassingly thrashed here 84-6 by the same team.

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There were positives still to be taken out of this performance; Rovers – who entertain Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday, one of their rivals for that vital eighth play-off spot – showed in that first-half display that they can compete against the better sides once more but they still require much more consistency.

They fell away far too easily in the second period when Wigan – shrugging off the absence of not only Green but also his sidelined half-back partner Matty Smith – ran in six tries through Tomkins (2), Richards, Josh Charnley, Iain Thornley and Liam Farrell.

Perhaps realising the need for a strong start after that debacle against Wigan on Easter Monday, Cory Paterson boldly attempted a short kick-off at the start of yesterday’s game which reaped immediate dividends as his side successfully secured possession.

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After Michael Dobson then forced a drop-out with the first of his teasing grubbers, the next such kick bounced high enough for the rangy Craig Hall to get above a hesitant Tomkins and palm back for David Hodgson to score his 11th try of the season.

Only two minutes had passed and the early success gave Rovers just the confidence they needed while prompting an amusing chant of “We want 80” from their self-effacing fans.

That was clearly never going to happen but they should have added a second try straight after when Hall found himself breaking clear.

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His indecision, though, as last man Tomkins backtracked, resulted in a poor pass to the supporting Greg Eden who dropped the ball and finally allowed Wigan to take some possession.

Green was soon gingerly being led off though after what looked like a Paterson shoulder charge and Rovers’ forceful defence continually forced the visitors into errors.

Their tactics certainly had Wigan rattled – rarely can their classy captain Sean O’Loughlin have misdirected so many passes and dropped so much ball – and there was more disgruntled face-offs between opponents at the play-the-ball than you would see at a heavyweight boxing title weigh-in.

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Rovers were put on a team warning after Travis Burns was penalised for messing around with O’Loughlin again at the play-the-ball but another loose pass saw Rovers escape, Hall racing away and Tomkins perhaps fortunate himself not to be yellow carded for holding down the supporting Hodgson who had returned after dislocating a finger early on.

Wigan’s prolific England winger Josh Charnley did not get a single running chance until the 32nd minute but Eden duly brought him down to thwart the danger before Rovers scrambled well to bundle Jack Hughes into touch on the other side.

However, Tomkins then stepped up to take control and Hull KR – for all their endeavour and aggression – had no answers, Hall scoring twice in that second period but only once all the damage had been done.

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Hull KR: Eden; Caro, Salter, Hall, D Hodgson; Burns, Dobson; Paea, J Hodgson, Walker, Horne, Paterson, Lovegrove. Substitutes: Withers, Mika, Beaumont, Griffin.

Wigan: S Tomkins; Charnley, Goulding, Thornley, Richards; Green, Powell; Flower, McIlorum, Crosby, Hansen, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Hughes, Lauaki, Taylor, L Tomkins.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).