Wigan Warriors 40, Hull KR 10
HULL KR’s hopes of retaining the Challenge Cup were ended in emphatic fashion as Wigan Warriors ran away with the final at Wembley.
Rovers trailed by only six points at half-time after Peta Hiku’s late first-half try had given them hope, but Wigan dominated after the break to seal a 40-10 win and lift the trophy.
Willie Peters’ side had arrived at Wembley as holders and with plenty of confidence, but they were unable to reproduce the form that had carried them through the competition and were punished heavily by a ruthless Warriors side.
It was a painful afternoon for the Robins, who stayed in the contest for much of the first half but were overpowered after the interval as Wigan turned a 10-4 lead into a convincing victory.
Rovers made a difficult start when Jack Broadbent lost possession 20 metres from his own line, leaving KR immediately under pressure.
Wigan took advantage from the resulting position, with Jack Farrimond finding a gap from the scrum to cross after six minutes. Adam Keighran missed the conversion, leaving the Warriors 4-0 ahead.
Hull KR tried to respond and were given a chance when Harry Smith was penalised for a high tackle on Tom Davies as Rovers moved into Wigan territory.
The Robins also came up with a strong defensive moment on 16 minutes when their right edge held up Jake Wardle and forced a turnover, but they could not turn those spells into points.
Mikey Lewis was penalised for hanging on too long as KR built pressure on the Wigan line, and the Warriors survived another dangerous moment when Farrimond knocked on down the short side.
Wigan stretched their lead on 35 minutes when Farrimond crossed again, this time from long range, and Keighran converted to make it 10-0.
At that stage, Rovers looked in danger of being left with too much to do, but they gave themselves a lifeline just before the break.
Tyrone May produced the moment of quality KR needed, dabbing a short kick over the Wigan defence. Hodkinson could not take it in, and Hiku reacted quickest, picking his pocket before beating Jai Field to score.
Rhyse Martin struck the upright with the conversion attempt, but Rovers went in at half-time only 10-4 behind and still very much in the contest.
The second half, however, quickly moved away from them.
Wigan struck five minutes after the restart when Junior Nsemba rose highest to collect Farrimond’s kick and score. Keighran added the conversion to make it 16-4.
Rovers then found themselves under further pressure when Davies was trapped in goal from Farrimond’s kick, and Bill Leyland came on for captain Elliot Minchella.
Wigan’s kicking game and field position continued to tell, and they struck again on 53 minutes when Keighran collected Smith’s kick to score before adding the conversion himself.
Three minutes later, Keighran crossed again, racing away for another try and converting once more to stretch Wigan’s lead to 28-4.
Rovers were now chasing the game, and Wigan’s attacking players found more space as the half wore on.
Bevan French added another Warriors try from close range on 65 minutes, with Keighran’s goal making it 34-4.
To their credit, Rovers kept going and claimed their second try on 71 minutes. Field failed to take in a kick on the last, and KR kept the ball alive well before Hiku raced to the corner for his second of the afternoon.
Martin converted to make it 34-10, but any thought of a late flourish was quickly ended as Wigan went over again.
Luke Thompson scored the Warriors’ seventh try on 72 minutes, and Keighran converted to complete Wigan’s scoring.
There was an ugly late flashpoint when Sam Walters was shown a red card with 90 seconds remaining following a dangerous tackle on Leyland, with Wigan already 30 points clear.
It was an unnecessary end to a final that had long since been decided.
Rovers have built their recent success on resilience, discipline and big-game composure, but they could not find enough of any of those qualities when the final was there to be won.
They will now have to regroup from a heavy Wembley defeat and turn their attention back to Super League, with the challenge of making sure this setback does not define their season.
Hull KR scorers: Hiku 2; Martin goal.
Wigan Warriors scorers: Farrimond 2, Keighran 2, Nsemba, French, Thompson; Keighran 6 goals.