Wigan paid tribute to the recently departed Sir Billy Boston, a legend of the club, by delivering a crushing 46-0 victory over a depleted Hull KR side at the rain‑soaked Brick Community Stadium in their Betfred Super League encounter. The occasion was marked by solemn remembrance: Boston, who had been honoured as rugby league's first knight just a year earlier, passed away on Tuesday morning, only four days after his wife Lady Joan's funeral. Before kickoff, an emotional ceremony unfolded. Stephen Boston, Sir Billy's son, walked onto the halfway line carrying a Wigan jersey bearing his father's name.
The shirt was then placed on the very throne where Boston had sat during the knighthood ceremony last July. In a further sign of respect, two seats in the directors' box were left empty to honour the memory of Boston and his wife, while the home players warmed up in black T‑shirts printed with Boston's iconic number two. A minute’s silence was observed with impeccable reverence. When the referee finally blew for start, Matt Peet’s side seized the momentum and secured a record‑extending thirteenth straight Super League win, propelling them back to the top of the table ahead of Leeds' upcoming trip to St Helens.
The performance was a showcase of attacking flair and clinical finishing. Liam Marshall achieved a hat‑trick, and Zach Eckersley – the latest wearer of the number two jersey that Boston made famous – crossed the line twice in a match that featured nine tries in total.
Adam Keighran added his own try and contributed ten points with the boot, underscoring the depth of Wigan’s scoring options. Hull KR, coached by Willie Peters, were hampered by injuries and suspensions and were forced to field three debutants as they looked ahead to next week’s home game against Huddersfield. Despite the weakened lineup, the visitors showed determination, but the gulf in quality was evident.
Their early resistance lasted only ten minutes, highlighted by Bill Leyland’s superb try‑saving tackle on Jai Field. Marshall then broke the deadlock with the first converted try of the match. Harry Smith displayed his tactical acumen, first with a clever kick that doubled Wigan’s lead, then with a perfectly timed 40‑20 that set up Eckersley’s opening try on the right flank.
The half‑time scoreline could have been even larger, as both Smith and Marshall had additional tries ruled out, but they each managed to add a second try just before the interval, even as a torrential downpour intensified. The second half began with Keighran converting his own effort after Eckersley tapped back a Smith kick twelve minutes in.
Wigan then applied sustained pressure on the Hull KR line, forcing a series of drop‑outs and dominating the territorial battle through the efforts of Arthur Mourgue and Sam Luckley. Around the hour mark, debutant Frankie Dearlove appeared to score in the corner, but video review showed a Wigan arm interfering, and the try was disallowed. Marshall completed his hat‑trick by sprinting down the left side with twelve minutes remaining, while Wardle added a try after a well‑executed move by Field. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive win that would have made Sir Billy Boston proud.
Beyond the on‑field action, the match served as a reminder of Boston’s lasting impact on the club and the sport. His knighthood, the first ever bestowed upon a rugby league player, symbolised his contributions both on the field and in the community. The black shirts worn by the squad, the empty seats, and the ceremonial throne all highlighted how deeply his legacy is woven into Wigan’s identity.
Looking ahead, Wigan’s victory not only restores them to the summit of the Super League table but also sets up a crucial clash with Leeds at St Helens on Friday, a game that could further define the title race. Meanwhile, Hull KR will need to regroup quickly, addressing the injury crisis and integrating their new players if they hope to remain competitive in the latter stages of the season. For fans wishing to follow the league, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.
Ticket information and the latest league standings can be accessed through the official Super League website. In sum, the match was a fitting tribute to a club icon, a demonstration of Wigan’s attacking potency, and a clear statement of intent as they chase the championship once more.