Wigan Rout Hull KR 46-0 to Go Top on Sir Billy Boston Tribute Night

Wigan Warriors moved to the top of Super League with a 46-0 home victory over Hull KR on Thursday, completing an emotional night in which the club paid tribute to Sir Billy Boston. BBC Sport reported that winger Liam Marshall scored three of Wigan’s eight tries, while Adam Keighran converted seven and also crossed the line himself.

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Jai Field, Zach Eckersley and Jake Wardle supplied the other tries, with Eckersley scoring twice. Marshall opened the scoring after nine minutes by collecting Harry Smith’s high kick, and another kick from Smith released Field for the 100th try of his career. Eckersley then added two tries before the half-hour mark, and Marshall’s second helped Wigan establish a 28-0 halftime lead.

Keighran scored after the interval before Marshall completed his first Wigan hat-trick of the season. Wardle rounded off the scoring. Hull KR’s Frankie Dearlove appeared to have registered a try on his debut, but Bevan French held him up and the score was disallowed. Heavy rain affected the surface during the second half, according to the BBC report.

The result lifted Wigan two points above Leeds Rhinos, although Leeds can return to the summit by beating St Helens on Friday because of their stronger points difference. Hull KR remained sixth, two points ahead of St Helens in the race for the final playoff place, with two regular-season games left.

Hull KR arrived with a substantially changed lineup. Only eight members of the 17 who played in the previous week’s defeat by Toulouse featured, while Jez Litten, Tom Davies and Peta Hiku were rested. Mikey Lewis and Tevita Pangai Jr remained suspended. The changes left the visitors short of attacking threat against a Wigan side that controlled the contest from the opening stages.

Before kickoff, wreaths were laid and Jerusalem was sung in memory of Boston, who died this week at 92. Wigan placed the name Billy on the front of their shirts for the match. The former Great Britain international scored 478 tries in 488 Wigan appearances, won the World Cup, and helped the club claim three Challenge Cups and the Championship. He received a knighthood last year, becoming the first rugby league player to receive that honor in the sport’s 130-year history.