Hull Kingston Rovers 18 Wigan Warriors 38: Rovers have to do better, insists Morgan after Wigan clinch title

Trailing 14-0 at half-time yesterday, and with England star Sam Tomkins in the sort of mood where anything seemed possible, it looked like Rovers would be left powerless behind in Wigan's slipstream.

However, Justin Morgan's revived team came out and delivered a wondrous spell of three tries in just six minutes to turn the game on its head and leave their jittery opponents – who had already failed once to secure the League Leaders Shield by losing at home to Huddersfield – in a state of disarray.

Hull KR, unrecognisable to the side that had botched its way through the opening period, were on a roll that gathered astonishing momentum, showing all the traits of a side that had not lost at Craven Park since April 2.

Tries from Scott Murrell, Matt Cook and Rhys Lovegrove, all converted by Michael Dobson, put them 18-14 ahead but Wigan finally recovered with the magical Tomkins, typically, being the man to wriggle over, Pat Richards improving to restore order just after the hour mark.

"We rallied a little bit and there was some decent signs there for us," admitted Morgan, whose side look destined to stay in seventh.

"We scored three good tries against a very formidable Wigan side who make you work real hard.

"But we weren't good enough in the end. I think we made them earn it (League Leaders Shield) but we have to be better."

A combination of solid Wigan defence, a poor Rovers kicking game and some needless errors saw them kept scoreless before the break

Their opponents, meanwhile, were far from their best but still had the killer threat and, in Tomkins, boasted the finest player on the pitch.

The mesmerising Wiganer, who continues to be used to great effect at full-back after switching from stand-off, produced one outstanding run from behind his own line after defusing another inept Murrell kick.

Tomkins evaded the first attempted tackle, then cut in field to beat another raft of defenders before opening up with his customary acceleration and seemingly weaving his

way though the entire Rovers side.

He was finally reeled in 70- metres later by Dobson – the last man standing – but he could only do so with a high shot which gifted Richards another two points in the final play of the half.

Richards had started the afternoon with his 100th Wigan touchdown after Tomkins had signalled his intent, chiming into the line and cutting Rovers open with some elusive footwork.

Richards added a kick when former England No 1 Shaun Briscoe was penalised for not playing the ball correctly before Joel Clinton's grapple tackle on Iafeta Paleaaesina gave Wigan further postion, Mark Riddell ushering Darrell Goulding over.

Richards missed his only kick of the afternoon but Hull KR, missing four first-choice centres and with the influential Ben Galea also absent, started the second period on fire.

Murrell juggled Dobson's pass at pace, shrugging off some defence and finally stretching over two minutes after the re-start.

Dobson converted and then Peter Fox chased down the scrum-half's huge kick to tackle Richards behind his own line.

From that, Matt Cook surged forward with a mountainous drive to set up position, Mick Vella did likewise and, when the captain smuggled out and offload, Cook turned to get on the end of Dobson's short pass with Wigan all at sea.

They scored again two minutes later after hapless Wigan conceded another penalty and the Rovers forwards motored in.

Dobson, with his kicking now impeccable, slid in an inviting grubber which proved unplayable and Lovegrove jubilantly dived over beside the posts, the creator improving to give them an unimaginable four-point advantage.

However, the slippery Tomkins crucially responded before the evergreen Paul Deacon invited Richards forward with a fine long pass that saw him canter down the touchline for his 101st Wigan try.

Briscoe, clearly now carrying an injury, was rounded again by Joel Tomkins following Thomas Leuluai's offload, and then Josh Charnley – the young centre who had scored five tries during his recent loan spell at Craven Park – rubbed it in by scoring in the final seconds on his Wigan debut.

"We did have some worrying signs but showed great strength in getting back to what we needed," said Wigan coach Michael Maguire after they finished top for the first time in 10 years.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Sam Tomkins

Lit up the game with his elegant running and trickery. Wherever he plays for England in the Four Nations, it will be fascinating to see the impish genius pit his talent against Australia and New Zealand.

Villain: Scott Murrell

Difficult to call out a villain in such a spirited performance but if the stand-off's last tackle plays had been better executed in the first half, Hull KR may have had a better chance of extending their impressive home winning run.

Key moment

62nd minute: When Sam Tomkins dummied and burrowed his way over from close range, Pat Richards' put Wigan back ahead and there was no way the leaders would let another lead slip

Ref watch

Ben Thaler: A reltively stress free afternoon for the Wakefield official although Rovers fans felt he should have awarded a penalty in the build-up to Sam Tomkins's crucial try.

Verdict

Hull KR will rue a series of missed chances in the first half, something they must eradicate when it comes to the play-offs, but they showed during that blistering 20-minute spell that when they can put things together they are a dangerous force.

Quote of the day

It was great to see him getting a try. It's probably a hard situation for him to go out and play against Rovers but he did nine or 10 hit-ups in 20 minutes so he was a hungry boy.

Wigan coach Michael Maguire on 19-year-old Josh Charnley's Wigan debut versus his recent team-mates.

Next game

Saturday September 4, Crusaders v Hull KR 6pm.