Liam Marshall helps Wigan demolish Hull KR
Four tries from Liam Marshall helped Wigan bounce back from defeat on Good Friday in style with a convincing win over Hull Kingston Rovers.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane made six changes to his side that were defeated at St Helens last time out. Sam Tomkins, Dan Sarginson, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Josh Ganson and Gabe Hamlin came in for Morgan Escaré, Joe Burgess, Sam Powell, Tony Clubb, Sean O’Loughlin and Taulima Tautai.
Tim Sheens made just one change to his Hull KR side that lost to rivals Hull FC on Good Friday. Josh Johnson replaced Ben Kavanagh.
It was a slow and sluggish start to the game from both sides at the DW Stadium. It took a while to get going, but Wigan started to pile on the pressure and forced a couple of drop-outs.
And the first try of the game came on the back of a drop-out. Sam Tomkins showed great awareness to scoot from dummy-half and reach over the line for the Warriors. He converted his own try to put his side 6-0 up after 25 minutes.
Wigan were in again just a couple of minutes later. Liam Farrell ran a superb line to burst onto a flat ball from George Williams and touch down. Sam Tomkins added the extras and the Warriors were 12-0 to the good.
The Warriors were dominant in the first half and scored their third through Williams. Marshall made a brilliant break down the left wing and assisted the supporting Williams who darted over. The conversion went wide, but Wigan led 16-0.
Sam Tomkins was running the show and set up another with five minutes of the first half remaining. He put a well-weighted grubber into the corner for Marshall to score, Wigan 20-0 Hull KR.
Farrell got his second right at the end of the first half. He raced onto a grubber from Williams to score. Sam Tomkins’ boot made the score 26-0 to Wigan at half time.
Rovers came out firing in the second half. Chris Atkin raced onto his own grubber to pull one back for the visitors. Ryan Shaw converted, but KR were still 26-6 behind.
Wigan soon replied with a try of their own. Marshall grabbed his second as he cottoned onto a smart Sam Tomkins grubber. Sam Tomkins converted and Wigan were 32-6 ahead.
Rovers were dealt a blow in the 65th minute. They were put on a team warning and another penalty saw Johnson sin-binned.
The Warriors took advantage of having the extra man. The ball went wide to Marshall who completed his hat-trick with an excellent finish in the corner. Wigan were in a 36-6 lead.
Wigan were in complete control in the latter stages of the game. Marshall got his fourth try of the afternoon as he raced onto a kick from Williams to score out wide. Sam Tomkins converted to put Wigan 42-6 in front.
Sam Tomkins added a penalty goal at the death to a seal a very comfortable 44-6 win for Wigan.
Wigan: S Tomkins; Davies, Sarginson, Gildart, Marshall; Williams, Woods; Flower, Leuluai, Navarrete, Isa, Farrell, Bateman. Subs: J Tomkins, Sutton, Ganson, Hamlin.
Hull KR: Quinlan; Shaw, Minns, Salter, Carney; Atkin, Marsh; Jewitt, Lee, Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Clarkson. Subs: Scruton, Donaldson, Johnson, Dagger.
Starman: Sam Tomkins was brilliant in attack. He was involved in a number of tries and his short kicking game was exceptional. Liam Marshall should get a mention, though, for scoring four tries.
Attendance: 10,977