Wigan paid tribute to the recently departed Sir Billy Boston by overwhelming a depleted Hull KR side 46‑0 in their Betfred Super League encounter at the rain‑soaked Brick Community Stadium. The former Wigan legend, who had been honoured as rugby league’s first knight the previous year, passed away on Tuesday morning, just four days after his wife Lady Joan’s funeral. The pre‑match ceremony was deeply emotional.
Boston’s son, Stephen, carried a Wigan jersey bearing his father’s name onto the halfway line, where it was placed on the very throne Boston had occupied when the club celebrated his knighthood last July. In recognition of the couple, two seats in the directors’ box were left empty, and the home team warmed up in black shirts printed with Boston’s iconic number two. A minute’s silence was observed with meticulous respect.
When the whistle blew, Matt Peet’s side quickly set about extending their record‑breaking run of thirteen successive Super League victories, a streak that lifted them back to the summit of the table ahead of Leeds’ upcoming trip to St Helens on Friday. The win also reaffirmed Wigan’s determination to reclaim the title they had lost the previous season. Liam Marshall was the star of the show, netting a hat‑trick, while Zach Eckersley – the latest player to don the number two jersey that Boston made famous – added two tries to a dazzling nine‑try display.
Adam Keighran contributed a try of his own and added ten points with the boot, further widening the margin. Hull KR, coached by Willie Peters, were hampered by injuries and suspensions and were forced to field three debutants as they prepared for next week’s home clash with Huddersfield. Despite their best efforts, the visitors were never in contention; the gap between the sides was simply too great for the under‑strength Rovers to bridge.
The visitors managed to hold out for the opening ten minutes, with Bill Leyland making a superb try‑saving tackle on Jai Field. However, Marshall broke the deadlock with a well‑executed try that was promptly converted. Harry Smith then demonstrated his clever kicking ability, landing a precise 40‑20 that set up Eckersley’s first try on the right flank.
By halftime the scoreline already reflected Wigan’s dominance, though both Smith and Marshall saw additional tries ruled out. The second half continued in a similar vein. Early on, Keighran converted his own effort after Eckersley tapped back a Smith kick. Wigan kept the pressure relentless, forcing a series of drop‑outs and applying sustained pressure on the Hull KR line.
Arthur Mourgue and Sam Luckley were repeatedly tested as the home side kept the ball in the opposition’s half. Around the hour mark, Hull KR thought they had been rewarded when debutant Frankie Dearlove appeared to ground the ball in the corner. Replay footage, however, revealed that a Wigan arm had interfered, and the try was disallowed. Undeterred, Marshall completed his hat‑trick with a blistering run down the left side twelve minutes from the end, and Wardle added a further score after a clever move from Field.
The final whistle confirmed a 46‑0 victory, a result that would have made Sir Billy Boston proud. The win not only restored Wigan to the top of the Super League table but also underscored their intent to dominate the competition this season. Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League match live, with two fixtures each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available on Sky Sports+.
Overall, the match was a fitting tribute to a rugby league great, combining heartfelt remembrance with a spectacular on‑field performance that highlighted Wigan’s attacking flair, defensive solidity, and unwavering resolve to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of the sport.