Wigan paid heartfelt homage to the late 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 became rugby league’s first knight just a year earlier, passed away on Tuesday morning, only four days after his wife Lady Joan was laid to rest.
The pre‑match ceremony was charged with emotion. Stephen Boston, Billy’s son, walked onto the halfway line carrying a Wigan jersey emblazoned with his father’s name. The shirt was then placed on the very throne where Boston had sat when the club honoured his knighthood last July. Two seats in the directors’ box were left empty in memory of Sir Billy and Lady Joan, and the home players warmed up in black T‑shirts bearing Boston’s iconic number two.
A minute’s silence, observed with meticulous respect, preceded the kickoff. When the whistle finally sounded, Matt Peet’s side seized the moment, registering a record‑extending thirteenth straight Super League victory and propelling themselves back to the summit of the table, ahead of Leeds’ upcoming trip to St Helens on Friday. Liam Marshall was the star of the show, netting a hat‑trick, while Zach Eckersley – the latest wearer of the number two jersey that Boston made his own – crossed the line twice in a spectacular nine‑try display. Adam Keighran added a try of his own and contributed ten points from the boot, further stretching the margin.
Hull KR, coached by Willie Peters, were hampered by injuries and suspensions and fielded three debutants as they prepared for next week’s home clash with Huddersfield. Their weakened lineup could not match the intensity of a Wigan side that was clearly determined to honour their departed hero with a dominant performance. The visitors managed to hold out for the opening ten minutes, with Bill Leyland delivering a superb try‑saving tackle on Jai Field. However, Marshall broke the deadlock with the first converted try of the match.
Harry Smith then showcased his skill with a clever kick that doubled Wigan’s lead, followed by a perfectly timed 40‑20 that set up Eckersley’s opening try on the right wing. Both Smith and Marshall saw additional tries ruled out before the half‑time whistle, but each later added a second try amid a torrential downpour, further widening the gap. In the second half, Keighran converted his own effort after Eckersley tapped back a Smith kick twelve minutes in, and Wigan continued to apply relentless pressure on the Hull KR line, forcing a series of drop‑outs and testing the resilience of the visitors. Around the 60‑minute mark, a promising moment for Hull KR was snatched away when debutant Frankie Dearlove appeared to score in the corner, only for replays to reveal a Wigan arm preventing the ball from touching the ground, resulting in the try being disallowed.
Marshall completed his hat‑trick with a blistering run down the left side twelve minutes from the end, and Wardle added a try after a slick piece of work from Field, sealing a victory 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 the emotional weight of the day’s tributes. The club’s fans, players, and staff all demonstrated a collective resolve to celebrate Boston’s legacy through a performance that combined respect, passion, and sheer rugby league excellence. For those following the season, Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League match live, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available on Sky Sports+.
The match also highlighted the broader narrative of a defending champion fighting to stay within the top six, a challenge that becomes increasingly steep as the season progresses. Wigan’s emphatic win serves as a reminder of their hunger to reclaim the title and honor the memory of one of the sport’s most revered figures.