Betfred Super League
Wigan (28) 46
Tries: Marshall 3, Field, Eckersley 2, Keighran, Wardle Goals: Keighran 7
Hull KR (0) 0
Wigan Warriors moved top of Super League as they thrashed Hull KR on an emotional evening as the Cherry and Whites paid tribute to the late Sir Billy Boston.
The rugby league great, who scored a remarkable 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan and helped them win three Challenge Cups and the Championship during his time with the club, died this week at the age of 92.
Liam Marshall scored a hat-trick of tries as Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran and Jake Wardle all got on the scoresheet in a decent night’s work for the hosts.
It was a difficult evening for the visitors who, other than Frankie Dearlove having a second-half try chalked off, offered little in trying conditions with torrential rain making an impact on the playing surface for the second half.
Victory for Wigan means they move two points clear of Leeds Rhinos, while Hull KR remain in sixth and head into their final two games of the regular season two points clear of St Helens in pursuit of the final play-off spot.
A Great Britain international and World Cup winner, Boston was the first black British player to play in Australia and New Zealand when he joined the Great Britain side which toured there in 1954.
Last year, Boston became the first player in rugby league’s 130-year history to receive a knighthood.
Wreaths were laid and a rendition of Jerusalem was sung in the lead-up to kick-off in tribute to Boston as both sides paid their respects.
Wigan, who wore “Billy” on the front of their shirts thanks to an agreement with their primary sponsor,, external did not take long to get going against Hull KR.
