Hull KR 28-36 Wigan

Hull KR (16) 28
Tries: Fox 2, Vella, Fitzhenry, Webster Goals: Dobson 4
Wigan (14) 36
Tries: Bailey 2, Carmont, Richards 2, Hansen, S. Tomkins Goals: Richards 4

The win eases the pressure on Wigan coach Noble

Wigan ended a week of adversity to record a much-needed win over Hull KR at Craven Park.

Warriors coach Brian Noble's own position has been under scrutiny while Gareth Hock faces the prospect of a two-year ban for failing a drugs test.

Wigan trailed 16-14 at half-time, but 16 unanswered points after the break put the visitors back in charge.

Late scores from Daniel Fitzhenry and Jake Webster closed the gap, but Pat Richards' try and conversion sealed it.

The visitors looked like a team weighed down by worries as they fell 10 points behind inside the first seven minutes.

The Robins, riding high in third place in Super League, got off the mark after Michael Dobson's towering kick was collected by Paul Cooke and Peter Fox was on hand to dive over.

The winger scored a swift second as he collected Kris Welham's low pass, recovered his balance and shrugged off the attentions of the pursuing Tim Smith.

The early signs suggested a 11th defeat of the Super League season for Wigan, but Australian stand-in centre Phil Bailey barged over in the 18th minute to steady the ship before a George Carmont try pulled them level.

Stand-off Sam Tomkins wriggled through a gap in the defence before feeding the Samoan who wrestled his way over for the equalising score.

Richards grounded the ball under severe pressure to edge the Warriors ahead, but Mick Vella came off the bench to ensure the hosts reached into the interval ahead with a powerful run.

But Noble's men effectively won the game with a frenzied opening to the second period that began with Bailey exploiting some weak defence out wide.

Second row Harrison Hansen followed him over seven minutes later, strolling in from a forward-looking pass from Sean O'Loughlin.

The loose forward was the provider again on 54 minutes as he broke the line and flicked a pass inside for Tomkins to score.

Fitzhenry and Webster's scores reduced the deficit to just two points, but Richards raced the length of the pitch to defuse the comeback and seal his side's win.

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan:
"I thought the first 15 minutes of the game we deserved to be where we were.

"But then for the rest of the first half and most of the second we were taught a lesson by a team that played with a little bit more vigour and energy than we did."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:
"The only way we'll be judged on writing this 2009 chapter for Wigan is through our performances on the field.

"We gave ourselves a shocking start and found ourselves 10-0 down and it looked like being one of those nights.

"But we knew pretty much all week that we were determined to do well here."

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Webster, Cockayne, Cooke, Dobson, Vella, Vella, Fisher, Wheeldon, Newton, Galea, Murrell, Fozzard, Fozzard, Netherton, Fitzhenry, Walker, Walker.
Replacements: Fozzard for Vella (10), Fozzard for Vella (61), Fitzhenry for Fisher (32), Netherton for Wheeldon (17), Walker for Newton (30), Walker for Murrell (59), Vella for Fozzard (32), Vella for Fozzard (77), Wheeldon for Netherton (49), Fisher for Fitzhenry (70), Newton for Walker (51), Murrell for Walker (72).

Wigan: Phelps, Roberts, Bailey, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Coley, Coley, Riddell, Prescott, Prescott, J. Tomkins, Hansen, O'Loughlin, Fielden, Paleaaesina, McIlorum.
Replacements: S. Tomkins for Smith (5), Paleaaesina for Coley (22), Prescott for Coley (79), McIlorum for Riddell (16), Fielden for Prescott (15), Paleaaesina for Prescott (62), McIlorum for Hansen (77), Coley for Fielden (58), Prescott for Paleaaesina (36), Riddell for McIlorum (59).

Attendance: 9,007

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).