Josh Charnley scored a try for Wigan in the final seconds of the game tonight at Hull Kingston Rovers to grab a late draw in a game that the Robins were desperate to win to progress their ambition of making ground on the play-off places.
It was a game that Hull KR had largely dominated after going behind to an early Dan Sarginson try.
After that it was the Robins who applied most of the pressure, and they drew level after 20 minutes when Craig Hall touched down a Kris Keating kick in the corner, with Travis Burns unable to convert.
Wigan then had a Josh Charnley try ruled out for offside after 35 minutes, and the Robins took the lead just before the break, when Jason Chan, on loan from Huddersfield Giants, barged his way over after some smart passing, and this time Burns added the conversion.
And Chan created the field position for the third Robins’ try in the second half, with a long break that Ben Cockayne was able to take advantage of to give Hull KR a ten-point lead after 58 minutes.
Wigan set their stall out, however, as the game entered the final ten minutes, and captain Sean O’Loughlin scored from a Blake Green offload after 72 minutes, with Matty Smith adding the goal.
Both sides put everything into the game as it entered its closing stages, but it was an Anthony Gelling break and his pass to Charnley that led to the final try with seconds on the clock. Smith couldn’t add the touchline conversion, and the game was drawn.
It was a result that suited neither team, and could now see the Robins missing out on the play-offs, which was reflected in the sad faces of the Rovers supporters.
A full report, pictures and analysis will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
