Wigan honoured the memory of the late Sir Billy Boston with a commanding 46‑0 victory over a depleted Hull KR side in their Betfred Super League encounter at the rain‑soaked Brick Community Stadium. The former Wigan legend, who had been knighted 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, walked onto the halfway line carrying a Wigan jersey bearing his father’s name.
The shirt was then placed on the very throne where Sir Billy had sat during the club’s knighthood celebration last July. In a further mark of respect, two seats in the directors’ box were left empty to honour Boston and his wife, while the home team warmed up in black T‑shirts printed with Boston’s iconic number two. A minute’s silence was observed with solemn precision.
When the whistle finally blew, Matt Peet’s side set about extending their record‑breaking run of 13 straight Super League wins, a streak that propelled them back to the summit of the league table ahead of Leeds’ upcoming trip to St Helens on Friday. The performance was a fitting tribute to the man who had given so much to the club. Liam Marshall was the standout, completing a hat‑trick that underscored his finishing prowess. Zach Eckersley, the latest player to wear the number two jersey that Boston made famous, crossed the line twice, contributing to a nine‑try showcase.
Adam Keighran added a try of his own and kicked ten points, further widening the gap. 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 fixture against Huddersfield. The defending champions looked vulnerable and risked slipping out of the top six, but their determination could not be questioned. Nevertheless, they were nowhere near the level required to threaten a Wigan side that seemed eager to reclaim the title they had lost.
Hull KR managed to hold the ball for the opening ten minutes, with Bill Leyland delivering a superb try‑saving tackle on Jai Field. However, Wigan broke the deadlock when Marshall powered over for the first converted try.
Harry Smith then displayed his kicking acumen, first with a clever chip that doubled Wigan’s lead, and later with a perfectly timed 40‑20 that set up Eckersley’s opening score on the right wing. The first half continued to favour the home side. Both Smith and Marshall had additional tries ruled out, but each later secured a second try before the half‑time whistle, even as a torrential downpour intensified.
The weather did little to dampen Wigan’s momentum. Early in the second half, Keighran converted his own try after Eckersley tapped back a Smith kick twelve minutes in. Wigan then applied relentless pressure on Hull KR’s defensive line, forcing a series of drop‑outs and keeping the opposition on the back foot. Their forward pack, led by Arthur Mourgue and Sam Luckley, kept the tempo high and the territory advantage firmly in Wigan’s favour.
Around the hour mark, Hull KR thought they had earned a lifeline when debutant Frankie Dearlove appeared to ground the ball in the corner. Replays, however, revealed a Wigan arm had knocked the ball away, resulting in the try being disallowed.
Marshall completed his hat‑trick with a blistering run down the left side twelve minutes from the end, while Wardle added a try after a fine piece of play from Field. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory that would have made Sir Billy Boston proud. Wigan’s win not only restored them to the top of the Super League table but also served as a moving homage to a club legend whose influence extended far beyond the pitch. The team’s performance, characterized by clinical finishing, disciplined defence, and relentless pressure, encapsulated the spirit of a player who had given his all for the Warriors.
For fans wishing to follow 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 fixtures available on Sky Sports+. The league’s latest table reflects Wigan’s resurgence, and the excitement builds as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including a crucial clash with Huddersfield next week.