Hull KR 24 Wigan 40: Colbon fuels play-off hopes

For Rovers fans, yesterday felt like the day after the Lord Mayor's Show. Survival in Super League was confirmed last weekend with a win over Hull FC. Wigan, though, knew defeat would kill their hopes of a play-off spot.

Wigan's coach, Brian Noble, now knows a win next weekend will be enough. The only problem is that the visitors to the JJB Stadium are St Helens.

"I would have chosen to play Dewsbury Celtic to be honest," he said, "but the reality is that we've got everything to play for. No disrespect to Dewsbury Celtic, of course."

Rovers' coach, Justin Morgan, said: "I don't like to lose, but it was always going to be difficult after the emotional high of last week."

Wigan opened the scoring through Liam Colbon in under two minutes. The Robins had the air of a side who had spent most of last week celebrating, so it was no surprise when Darrell Goulding extended Wigan's advantage four minutes later.

James Webster made some amends by putting Scott Murrell in for Rovers' first, but Ian Hardman then knocked on Wigan's kick-off and David Vaealiki punished the error.

Rovers scored through Andreas Bauer, only for Colbon to grab his second for Wigan, who then gained some breathing space when Paul Prescott strolled under the posts.

A superb try by Iain Morrison gave Rovers encouragement at the start of the second period, but Wigan responded when James Leuluai jinked his way to the line. Tries by Kris Welham and Rhys Lovegrove for Rovers and Mark Calderwood for Wigan finished the scoring.

Hull Kingston Rovers: Hardman; Lennon, Dyer, Lovegrove, Bauer; Cooke, Webster; Vella, Fisher, Tandy, Aizue, O'Neill, Murrell Substitutes used: Welham, Tangata-Toa, Gannon, Morrison

Wigan: Richards; Calderwood, Vaealiki, Goulding, Colbon; Barrett, Leuluai; Fielden, Millard, Paleaaesina, Bailey, Fletcher, O'Loughlin Substitutes used: Prescott, Hill, O'Carroll, Higham

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).