Hull KR Scholars defeat Wigan to make it five wins from five

The Robins' Scholars celebrate their 32-26 win over Wigan

The junior Robins made it five wins in a row, edging Wigan Warriors U16s 32-26 in a close contest at Golborne Parkside.

The game began with early pressure from Hull KR as the Robins’ half Josh Guynan faked the kick and spread the ball to Barrett on the last only for the centre to be brought down only metres away from the try line.

Wigan struggled to get out of their own half before giving away a penalty and a six again early in the Robins’ set.

The Scholars would make the position count as Alfie Ebot Enombi punched a hole in Wigan’s defence for Charlie Forrester to score from dummy half. Henry Hope converted the two and Hull KR lead 6-0.

The pressure continued as Robins’ winger Riley Dunn broke down the right edge and trapped Wigan’s fullback, Leyton Hull in goal.

From the restart, the junior Robins continued to build in confidence. The confidence showed through on debut halfback, Evan Adamson’s swift hands-on to to the left edge of Henry Tully and Harry Moore who put away winger, Henry Hope in the corner. Hope missed the conversion and the Robins extended their lead to 10-0.

As the game past the 20 minute mark, Wigan began to find momentum on the back of two penalties from the Robins. The Warriors finally crossed for their first score as the pressure broke with Jacob Davies scoring.

Penalty for high tackle and then a strip got Wigan upfield. First knock on from KR for more possession. Conversion missed by Zak Bielecki and the hosts cut Hull KR’s lead to 10-4.

In response, the young Robins amped up the pressure, charging down an early Wigan kick in the tackle count before the Warriors regathered forcing a kick directly to Henry Hope.

On the back of a strong set starting in Wigan’s half, Josh Guynan found Barrett with a cut-out pass to punch through a hole and find Dunn for the winger to score in the corner. Dunn missed the two and Hull KR regained a ten point lead in 14-4 .

The Warriors hit back with Harry Mikhail barging over from close range following a Hull KR error. Bielecki converted and cut the gap to 14-10.

Harry Mikhail went over again in close succession and Wigan took the lead for the first time in the game. Bielecki again converted and Wigan lead 16-14 at half-time.

After the break, Hull KR struck first with Charlie Forrester burrowing over after Evan Adamson and Alfie Woods forced a goal line drop out and a repeat set on Wigan’s line. Hope converted and the Robins lead again 20-16.

The lead wouldn’t last as Wigan went short with the restart and reclaimed possession for Hollins to crash over only a few tackles later. Marsden added the two and Wigan retook the lead, 22-20.

Wigan would make it a six point lead only minutes late with Jack Myers going over in the corner on the back of a Hull KR knock on near their own line. Marsden missed the two and Wigan now lead, 26-20.

Heading into the final ten minutes, the Robins began to find their feet again on the back of strong carries from Alfie Woods, Drew Docherty and Michael Obasi.

Evan Adamson threaded a kick in behind Wigan’s defence for Alfie Woods to regather and score. Henry Hope added the two and the score was tied at 26-26.

The pressure on Wigan continued as Marsden kicked the restart out on the full to give Hull KR the ball on halfway.

Looking for the win in the final five minutes, the Robins kept the ball alive on the last with Henry Hope kicking the ball cross field and finding substitute, Cam Brigham who pounced on the loose ball and put the Robins back ahead.

Henry Hope added the two to give Hull KR a 32-26 lead and only minutes later the whistle went for the junior Robins to seal their fifth-straight win in the 2024 Scholarship Season.