 | MATCH SUMMARY Hull KR (24) 40
Tries: Cockayne, Aizue, Goddard, Ford (3), Morton, Barker
Goals: Morton (4) Warrington (22) 36
Tries: Swann (2), Reardon, Martin Gleeson, Fa'afili (2), Sullivan
Goals: Bridge (4) |
Byron Ford scored a hat-trick as Hull KR stunned Warrington to reach the last four of the Challenge Cup. Logan Swann's brace put the Wolves on top early on but Ben Cockayne, Jon Goddard, Makali Aizue and Ford gave Rovers a half-time lead.
Ford added two more as every bounce seemed to go against Warrington and Rovers played the game of their lives.
Tries by Michael Sullivan and Henry Fa'afili (two) scared Hull KR but the National League side held on to win.
Rovers came into the game on a club-record equalling run of 17 straight wins, but when Swann went over twice in the first 13 minutes, it looked like that record was about to end.
Cockayne darted over to pull back one try before a lucky bounce off the post set up Aizue for Rovers' second score.
But no sooner had they come back from 10-0 down than they trailed again, as Stuart Reardon and Martin Gleeson touched down for Warrington.
Goddard and Ford finished off the try scoring of a breathless first half to put the home side 24-22 up at the break and set up an intriguing second period.
Crucially, Rovers scored first after the break as Gareth Morton got on the end of Ben Fisher's chip through to touch down.
Although Fa'afili pulled one back when he caught and touched down a high ball in the corner, Ford then scored twice in four minutes as the prospect of an upset grew ever larger.
Dwayne Barker added Rovers' eighth try, before Sullivan and Fa'afili scored to ensure a tense finale.
But Rovers held on to reach the last four for the first time since 1986, as coach Justin Morgan took a team to the semi-final for the second year in a row, after last year's exploits with Toulouse.
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan:
"The boys prepared exceptionally well and took a lot on board about what Warrington would offer, put on a great display and they deserve it. "It was a true team effort.
"To set a new club record of 18 wins is an outstanding achievement and I don't know if this current crop of players realise the magnitude of that.
"If you look back in the history books, there has been some fantastic rugby league players at this club in the last 40 years.
"I'm confident that, in years to come, that people will talk about some players out of this team because they're a great bunch of players who have created a great feeling amongst themselves."
Warrington coach Paul Cullen:
"The best team won by a mile and losing Lee Briers was nothing to do with it. I thought we were shocking, to be honest. "I'm trying hard not to say anything which might detract from what was a fantastic performance from Hull Kingston Rovers.
"They've beaten us from the first to the last play and completely outfought us in every part of the game.
"The defeat is difficult enough to take in its own right, but our lack of fight sickens me to the stomach.
"We treated Hull KR with the respect their very proud record deserved, but my players simply didn't turn up for work."
Hull KR: Cockayne, Steel, Morton, J. Goddard, Ford, Murrell, Webster, Aizue, Fisher, Tangata-Toa, Morrison, Smith, Gallacher.
Replacements: Price., Martins, Netherton, Barker.
Warrington: Reardon, Fa'afili, M. Gleeson, Grose, Barnett, Bridge, Sullivan, Leikvoll, Clarke, Wood, Wainwright, Swann, Grix.
Replacements: M. Gleeson, Hilton, Kohe-Love, Westwood.
Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
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Interview: Hull KR head coach Justin Morgan