WARRINGTON WOLVES 12 HULL KR 32
CALLUM WALKER, Eco-Power Stadium, Sunday

LIGHTNING didn’t strike twice at Doncaster for Willie Peters as Hull KR demolished Warrington in a win that underlined Rovers’ credentials to make another clean sweep in 2026.

Two years ago, Rovers had been hammered by Wigan on the same ground, but they made no mistake this time around with Tyrone May and Jack Broadbent on fire throughout.

Josh Thewlis returned at fullback for Warrington, with Luke Yates on the bench and Toafofoa Sipley taking Luke Thomas’ place.

Much of the talk during the week had been about Arthur Mourgue potentially coming back for Rovers, but Broadbent continued at fullback as Sauaso Sue came in for Jack Brown.

Rovers started the brighter of the two sides with Thewlis’ knock-on handing Willie Peters’ men the chance to strike – and they did just that.

May has been superb in 2026 so far and it was his crabbing run and delicious pass that sent James Batchelor through a huge gap in the fifth minute. Mikey Lewis converted for a 6-0 lead.

Warrington were conceding penalties left, right and centre before magnificent Rovers defence forced Marc Sneyd into kicking out on the full.

This time the Wolves held out but James Bentley cost his side two points moments later, lashing out at Lewis who added the penalty.

Sam Burgess’ men were self-imploding and another Sneyd error, compounded by Bentley taking Lewis’ head off, saw Rovers extend their lead with Burgess flying in at the corner on 24 minutes. Lewis brilliantly converted for a 14-0 lead.

Warrington finally had good ball as the half-hour ticked by, Sneyd forcing a drop-out with a pinpoint grubber but steely KR defence kept the Wolves out.

They weren’t to be denied moments later, though, with Sneyd’s kick causing havoc amongst Broadbent and Lewis as Ben Currie gleefully pounced. Sneyd converted to reduce the deficit to eight at 14-6.

It was a rip-roaring end to the first-half with May causing all sorts of problems and it was his kick that eventually saw Rhyse Martin go close. The PNG international, however, was held up.

Warrington will have been frustrated by two inconclusive Captain’s Challenges at the start of the second-half, before Elliot Minchella felt the wrath of the opposition when he hit Danny Walker high.

Lewis’ brilliant break almost yielded points but the Wolves had a dominant spell and they forced a drop-out as Batchelor left the field for a HIA.

But, Rovers aren’t champions for nothing, and, after Thewlis lost a May kick, Oliver Gildart rounded a soft Josh Smith defensive effort to cross on the hour. Rhyse Martin couldn’t convert, however, with KR now up 18-6.

Superb captaincy work by Minchella to challenge a Liam Moore penalty saw the decision reversed by video official Chris Kendall and Martin ensured Warrington had to score three times with a 20-6 lead.

That knocked the wind out of the Wolves completely as Burgess grabbed his second on 72 minutes after Albert Hopoate had dropped a Lewis bomb. Martin converted expertly from out wide.

There was still time for Warrington to rack up a sensational score, Kelepi Tanginoa rampaging 40 metres before Sam Stone dotted down Sam Stone’s kick.

Even then, Rovers had the last laugh, Batchelor diving over on the hooter to make it back-to-back Wembley appearances for KR.

GAMESTAR: Tyrone May was like poetry in motion at times.

GAMEBREAKER: Rhyse Martin’s penalty ensured Warrington had to score three times to win.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Joe Burgess flying in at the corner early in the first-half was a joy to behold.

MATCHFACTS

WOLVES
2 Josh Thewlis
5 Matty Ashton
3 Toby King
26 Josh Smith
4 Albert Hopoate
18 Ewan Irwin
7 Marc Sneyd
15 Toafofoa Sipley
9 Danny Walker
16 Liam Byrne
12 Sam Stone
20 James Bentley
13 Ben Currie
Subs (all used)
8 Luke Yates
17 Jordy Crowther
22 Joe Philbin
34 Kelepi Tanginoa
18th man (not used)
35 Lachlan Webster
Also in 21-man squad
14 Sam Powell
21 Luke Thomas
25 Max Wood

Tries: Currie (34), Stone (76)
Goals: Sneyd 2/2

ROVERS
14 Jack Broadbent
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
4 Oliver Gildart
5 Joe Burgess
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
8 Sauaso Sue
19 Karl Lawton
10 Tom Amone
11 Dean Hadley
12 James Batchelor
13 Elliot Minchella
Subs (all used)
9 Jez Litten
15 Sam Luckley
16 Jai Whitbread
17 Rhyse Martin
18th man (not used)
21 Noah Booth
Also in 21-man squad
1 Arthur Mourgue
18 Jack Brown
22 Bill Leyland

Tries: Batchelor (5, 79), Burgess (24, 72), Gildart (59)
Goals: Lewis 3/3, Martin 3/4

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Wolves: Ben Currie; Rovers: Tyrone May

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-8, 0-14, 6-14; 6-18, 6-20, 6-26, 12-26, 12-32

Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 6-14
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 12,054