Lewis Tierney opened the scoring for Wigan at the DW Stadium
A hat-trick from Josh Charnley helped Wigan come from behind to defeat Hull Kingston Rovers 30-16 at the DW Stadium.
Given how under-manned KR were, and considering their Good Friday implosion against bitter rivals Hull FC, that they led 10-4 at the break was a significant shock. But Wigan found a way to win and back up their success over St Helens three days ago.
It had looked like Wigan would head into half-time in front thanks to a well-worked try for the returning Lewis Tierney, but the Warriors switched off and conceded two tries in the final three minutes from Graeme Horne and former Wigan centre Iain Thornley to lead by six points.
Two tries in four second-half minutes for winger Charnley put the Warriors back in control, but Hull KR were not behind for long as Thornley continued to hurt his former employers with his second score of the game.
Wigan had to dig deep after that and quick-fire tries from Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart saw them turn the game around with Charnley completing his hat-trick to make it seven wins from eight this season.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane handed a first-team debut to hooker Luke Waterworth, while Nick Gregson was handed his first start after impressing off the bench in recent weeks. Rovers boss James Webster made a number of changes with Ben Cockayne, Albert Kelly, Chris Clarkson, Josh Mantellato and James Green all picking up injuries. Will Oakes, Joe Cator and Joe Wardill all made their debuts.
Wigan dominated the opening stages of the contest and enjoyed plenty of possession deep in Hull KR's half without managing to break the deadlock.
It took until the 26th minute to see some points and it was Tierney who benefited as he collected a neat inside ball from Joel Tomkins to go over. Charnley was off target with his conversion attempt as Wigan led 4-0.
A lack of composure with ball in hand and their discipline cost Wigan dear in the closing minutes of the first-half as Rovers captain Horne steamed onto a pass from Matty Marsh to touch down, before Thornley capitalised on a knock-on from Tierney to score right on the hooter. Dixon converted one as they led 10-4.
It took Wigan five minutes of the second half to get back on level terms with a try from nothing. Hull KR were attacking down Wigan's left and after Dixon failed to keep hold Charnley picked up the loose ball and raced 90 metres to score under the posts. He converted his own try to level it up at 10-10. It was not long until Wigan were back in front as Charnley was on hand to score his second of the night after Dan Sarginson offloaded. Just when it looked like Wigan would take a stranglehold on the game they found themselves trailing again as Thornley burst on to a perfect ball from Maurice Blair, and Dixon's conversion made it 16-14 in favour of the Robins.
Wigan threw everything at Hull KR in the final quarter with Gildart held up over the line and Manfredi having an effort ruled out for a knock-on, and their pressure finally told with two more tries in two minutes to give them breathing space. First Sarginson and Gelling combined down the right to send Manfredi in at the corner, while moments later Gildart raced away to seal victory for the home team. Charnley managed to convert one of the tries as they led 24-16 with 10 minutes left.
Charnley then capped off a perfect evening as he raced 80 metres without a hand being laid on him to complete his hat-trick, which he then converted to take his personal tally to 18.
It had looked like Wigan would head into half-time in front thanks to a well-worked try for the returning Lewis Tierney, but the Warriors switched off and conceded two tries in the final three minutes from Graeme Horne and former Wigan centre Iain Thornley to lead by six points.
Two tries in four second-half minutes for winger Charnley put the Warriors back in control, but Hull KR were not behind for long as Thornley continued to hurt his former employers with his second score of the game.
Wigan had to dig deep after that and quick-fire tries from Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart saw them turn the game around with Charnley completing his hat-trick to make it seven wins from eight this season.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane handed a first-team debut to hooker Luke Waterworth, while Nick Gregson was handed his first start after impressing off the bench in recent weeks. Rovers boss James Webster made a number of changes with Ben Cockayne, Albert Kelly, Chris Clarkson, Josh Mantellato and James Green all picking up injuries. Will Oakes, Joe Cator and Joe Wardill all made their debuts.
Wigan dominated the opening stages of the contest and enjoyed plenty of possession deep in Hull KR's half without managing to break the deadlock.
It took until the 26th minute to see some points and it was Tierney who benefited as he collected a neat inside ball from Joel Tomkins to go over. Charnley was off target with his conversion attempt as Wigan led 4-0.
A lack of composure with ball in hand and their discipline cost Wigan dear in the closing minutes of the first-half as Rovers captain Horne steamed onto a pass from Matty Marsh to touch down, before Thornley capitalised on a knock-on from Tierney to score right on the hooter. Dixon converted one as they led 10-4.
It took Wigan five minutes of the second half to get back on level terms with a try from nothing. Hull KR were attacking down Wigan's left and after Dixon failed to keep hold Charnley picked up the loose ball and raced 90 metres to score under the posts. He converted his own try to level it up at 10-10. It was not long until Wigan were back in front as Charnley was on hand to score his second of the night after Dan Sarginson offloaded. Just when it looked like Wigan would take a stranglehold on the game they found themselves trailing again as Thornley burst on to a perfect ball from Maurice Blair, and Dixon's conversion made it 16-14 in favour of the Robins.
Wigan threw everything at Hull KR in the final quarter with Gildart held up over the line and Manfredi having an effort ruled out for a knock-on, and their pressure finally told with two more tries in two minutes to give them breathing space. First Sarginson and Gelling combined down the right to send Manfredi in at the corner, while moments later Gildart raced away to seal victory for the home team. Charnley managed to convert one of the tries as they led 24-16 with 10 minutes left.
Charnley then capped off a perfect evening as he raced 80 metres without a hand being laid on him to complete his hat-trick, which he then converted to take his personal tally to 18.
