Hull KR 16-30 Wigan

James Gordon

Brian Noble’s Wigan moved within one game of the Grand Final for a third successive year with a 30-16 win over Hull KR.

Noble has led the Warriors to the semi-finals in the play-offs in each of the past two seasons, but the Warriors have missed out on a Grand Final spot both times.

They will now have to wait and see who they play next weekend for a place at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

Wigan totally dominated the first half at Craven Park and were 18-0 up at the break with tries from George Carmont, Iafeta Palea’aesina and Pat Richards.

Justin Morgan’s side, who were thumped by Leeds last week after finishing 4th in the Super League table, fought back after the break and got on the scoreboard through home-grown centre Kris Welham.

Peter Fox then capitalised on an error by Palea’aesina and former Wigan scrum-half Michael Dobson reduced arrears to eight with a touchline conversion.

Chaz I’anson then reached over for a try and after much deliberation from the video referee, Dobson was able to cut the gap to 18-16.

But just as the Robins fans expected their side to take the lead, Martin Gleeson took Paul Prescott‘s pass to cross for a try, and the former St Helens and Warrington centre went over for a second try in the closing stages to seal the win for the visitors.

Wigan will face either Leeds or St Helens, depending on whether the Rhinos to face them or Catalans in Sunday’s Clubcall, televised live on BBC2 and Sky Sports News at 1.30.