Wigan Warriors 42 Hull Kingston Rovers 18: Tomkins torments as Robins fall to the Warriors

Leeds Rhinos may have stunned the minor Premiers by winning at the DW Stadium five days earlier but there was no repeat for the East Yorkshire club who felt the full backlash of that bitter defeat.

Rovers showed plenty of endeavour and spirit, the qualities that had seen them emerge victorious from their own play-off success against Hull FC last Saturday, but it was never going to be enough to prevent determined opponents who are now just 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.

It was dazzling England star Tomkins who proved the big difference.

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan admitted: "You need a lasso or a poison dart to stop him. He is so elusive. We were beaten by a top quality team tonight but I am proud of our team for their efforts this season."

Michael Maguire ignored the temptation to switch Tomkins, 21, to stand-off in Paul Deacon's absence and the decision reaped dividends as he continually terrorised Hull KR from full-back.

Just before the half-hour, they must have been delighted when the little nuisance furiously flung his arm up in the direction of the Wigan bench, apparently instantly aware of some serious injury. However, he was quite literally trying to show them that he had dislocated a finger and, after running repairs from their physio, then doctor and a few shrieks of pain, Tomkins was back in the thick of the action as if nothing had happened.

One thing that had not changed was Rovers' inability to control him. Tomkins was soon tormenting them again, incredulously sprinting 30 metres directly across the field, teasing flat-footed defenders before finally sucking in defender Leon Coldon and sending Darrell Goulding over for the winger's second try.

Pat Richards – who had missed a crucial last-second penalty against Leeds but enjoyed a 100 per cent record last night – converted from touch to put Wigan 24-14 ahead at the break and they never eased off, showing the sort of class which saw them finish 15 points above Morgan's team in the table.

Rovers had understandably grown in confidence when they overcame Richards's fifth-minute opener to immediately respond and take a promising 12-6 lead.

After Sean O'Loughlin's arrow-like long pass had put Richards in at the corner, Wigan messed up the re-start with Stuart Fielden coughing up possession in a hefty Rovers tackle.

The visitors sensed hesitancy and Michael Dobson and Ben Cockayne combined to give Peter Fox the merest of chances of getting in at the corner.

The England winger succeeded for his 15th try of the season and, after Dobson improved, Morgan's team raided down the same area. Scott Murrell dinked a grubber down the blindside which Ben Fisher latched onto before kicking further ahead, Cockayne the grateful recipient from the slick move as Wigan were left stunned by the daring of their rivals.

Dobson added the extras but, after they were caught offside, Mark Riddell's short flat pass close to the line deceived the defence and Liam Farrell crashed over.

Richards levelled but some ill-discipline by Riddell gifted Dobson two points which put Rovers 14-12 ahead after an eventful opening quarter.

Full-back Shaun Briscoe desperately denied Goulding by nudging the ball out of his possession as the Wigan player stretched out of his and Ben Galea's double tackle.

However, there was no denying the prolific winger from the resulting penalty as Tomkins evaded more rush defence to expose them out wide.

Rovers, despite their success on the scoreboard, had barely been able to create any sustained pressure and this ultimately hurt them.

The likes of Mick Vella and Clint Newton worked tirelessly as ever but when they did force position they lacked sufficient creative quality.

That weakness should be remedied when Canterbury Bulldogs stand-off Blake Green arrives for 2011 to ease some of the burden on Dobson but what they would have given for some of Tomkins's unpredictability.

Rovers started the second period brightly enough but let themselves down when conceding a weak try from Thomas Lualuai, who burrowed over from dummy half on 55 minutes.

Wigan clinically ensured the contest was over in the next set when, after Lualuai had avoided an onrushing Galea, they set in motion an effervescent backline play which resulted in Martin Gleeson gliding over.

Rovers, typically, did not ease off and were rewarded when Fox got his second off Dobson's grubber 15 minutes from time but Joel Tomkins replied to complete a comprehensive defeat for the Robins.

Wigan: S Tomkins, Goulding, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S O'Loughlin, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, Hansen, J Tomkins, Farrell. Substitutes: Paleaaesina, Prescott, Tuson, McIlorum.

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Cockayne, Colbon, Murrell, Dobson, Vella, Fisher, Clinton, Newton, Galea, Netherton. Substitutes: Lovegrove, Wheeldon, Cook, Hodgson.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).