Warriors get back on track
Wigan ended a three-game winless run with a 28-16 triumph over Hull KR, though the result was to be quickly overshadowed.
Last Updated: 15/04/11 11:02pm
Wigan ended a three-game winless run with a 28-16 triumph at Hull KR - but the result was to be quickly overshadowed by the announcement of coach Michael Maguire's decision to leave the club.
The Australian confirmed after the contest at Craven Park that he will be heading home at the end of the year to take charge of South Sydney.
While Maguire's impending departure will hog the headlines, the Warriors' efforts on the field will have delighted their boss.
They took the lead against Rovers when second-rower Joel Tomkins capitalised on a Scott Murrell error inside his own 10-metre line.
Strolled over
Pat Richards failed to convert but was on target to make it 10-0 after Ryan Hoffman strolled his way through for an easy try after 21 minutes.
The Robins briefly responded when Matt Cook, who had come on in place of Willie Mason, stretched out to score a try for the second successive game. Murrell added the extras to close the gap to four points.
Wigan, however, moved 10 clear again by the break when Josh Charnley - a player who spent a highly-successful loan spell at Rovers last season - touched down in the right corner, Richards kicking the conversion.
Rovers did start the second half strongly, Mason getting his first Super League try, but they were simply never able to get on level terms.
Typical run
Half-back Thomas Leuluai scored from close range from a typical run from dummy half and Richards' right boot made it 22-10 to the visitors.
Ben Cockayne did set up a grandstand finish when he grounded Blake Green's kick to the posts, with Murrell's conversion meaning there was only a converted try between the teams with 15 minutes still remaining.
However, that gap was extended to two scores when Richards slotted over a penalty and Wigan clinched victory with a try in the closing stages.
Centre George Carmont dived over to seal the two points for the reigning champions, though that wasn't quite the end of the drama.
Cockayne and Wigan prop Jeff Lima were put on report by referee Thierry Alibert after an incident between the players on the final hooter, which had barely finished ringing by the time Maguire made his stunning announcement.
