Hull KR cruise past Warrington with five tries to set up Wembley showdown with Wigan
Hull Kingston Rovers booked a second consecutive Wembley Challenge Cup final on Saturday afternoon, dispatching Warrington Wolves 30-12 in the semi-final at Bramall Lane in Sheffield with five tries. The win sets up a rematch with last season's victors, Wigan Warriors, who edged St Helens 24-16 in the day's earlier semi-final.
Hull KR opened with the kind of tempo Willie Peters has built into his side this season. Tom Davies finished a clever Mikey Lewis grubber kick in the fifth minute to underline that the hosts wanted control early. Warrington, under new head coach Sam Burgess, manufactured a response when Toby King crossed off the back of three sharp George Williams offloads to bring the gap back to four points before the half-hour mark.
A Brad Schneider penalty and a try from Joe Burgess just before the interval sent Hull KR in 14-6 ahead. According to ESPN statistics, Hull KR made three line breaks in the opening 40 minutes to Warrington's one; the Cheshire side spent long stretches absorbing waves of attack rather than dictating any of their own.
The second half was a showcase for Hull KR's structured set play. In the 47th minute Lewis orchestrated a six-pass move that ended with Peta Hiku running a sharp angle off a right-side decoy to break the line; Schneider added the conversion to make it 20-6.
Warrington had to chase the game from there. Burgess's side responded in the 65th minute when Matty Ashton's pace on the left set up Adam Holroyd to dot down at the corner. Williams's conversion attempt rebounded off the post, which felt like the moment the initiative slid finally back to Hull KR.
The definitive minute was the 73rd. Tom Opacic intercepted in midfield, broke through three forwards and freed Lewis with an inside ball; Lewis released Ryan Hall on the left, and the 36-year-old winger crossed for one of the more elegant pre-Wembley tries of his long career.
The final eight minutes were an exhibition of disciplined defence. Warrington took three of their four-tackle sets into Hull KR's half but produced no try; Schneider's late penalty rounded the score off at 30-12 with the clock dead.
Speaking afterwards, Peters emphasised how much his side had matured. "This time a year ago we were stressed about going to Wembley for the first time," the Australian head coach said. "This time we're going there ready." Hull KR lost last year's final 18-8 to Wigan but used the disappointment to drive a strong run through the rest of the Super League season; they are now arguably the most consistent cup side in the competition over the last three seasons.
From the Wigan side, Matt Peet had described Hull KR earlier in the day as having "the best middle three in England." The Wembley rematch will be played on 7 June. Wigan are aiming for back-to-back Challenge Cups; Hull KR are chasing their first since 1980.
For the Hull KR supporters who left Bramall Lane on Saturday, the result reads as an answer to whether the club's recent investment is paying off. The team looks ready to fight for the trophy. Whether they can actually lift it at Wembley is something only the end of June can decide.