Hull KR rock into first Super League Grand Final after nervy win

Hull KR survived a nerve-shredding Super League playoff semi-final against Warrington Wolves to book their first-ever appearance in the Grand Final – and go within one game of a first major trophy in 39 years.

Willie Peters’ side finished bottom of Super League as recently as four years ago. Yet this season, they secured second place, their highest league finish since 1985, and perhaps crucially, home advantage here against the third-placed Wolves, who have made great strides this season under Sam Burgess.

But it was the Robins who emerged triumphant on another thrilling occasion in the Super League playoffs. Tries from James Batchelor and Joe Burgess – the second of which had an air of controversy attached to it – put the hosts into a 10-0 lead by the half-time break.

Warrington responded commendably after the interval, with two tries from Matty Ashton bringing them back into contention. But, crucially, while Mikey Lewis could convert only one of the Robins’ two scores, Josh Thewlis missed both his conversion attempts. And on a night of the finest margins, with the biggest prize of them all on the line, that proved to be the difference to book Rovers’ place at Old Trafford for the first time.

Any notion that the occasion, and the hefty favourites tag, would have got to Rovers certainly did not seem evident in the early exchanges. In fact, throughout the entirety of the first half they were the game’s superior side in almost every aspect. To that end, there were no arguments when they led by ten points at half-time.

The two sides exchanged blows inside the opening 15 minutes but the first real opportunity came Hull KR’s way when they were awarded a penalty for a block on Tyrone May. From the resulting set, Rovers held their nerve and finally picked a hole in a resolute Warrington defensive line, with Batchelor cutting through on the angle to open the scoring.

Rovers continued to press for more points. They were keeping Warrington at arm’s length whenever the Wolves pressed forward in pursuit of a response although the visitors did think they had levelled the scores in their first real foray into Rovers territory. Matt Dufty’s try, however, was pulled back due to an obstruction in the buildup: though Burgess seemed perplexed by the call.

If he was left annoyed by that decision, he would have been lost for words with the controversial nature of Rovers’ second try five minutes before the break. With Rovers on the attack again, Burgess forced his way over the line from close-range, though there seemed to be little evidence the ball had been grounded by the wing.

But with the referee, Liam Moore, providing an on-field call of try before referring it to the video referee, there was never enough evidence to overturn the decision. Burgess’ try was therefore given, Lewis kicked the goal and, at the break, Rovers were in control.

However, Warrington returned from the half-time break invigorated. Last week, they overturned a deficit at the interval to beat St Helens and within seven minutes of the restart here, they had narrowed the arrears when Ashton crossed from dummy-half. Thewlis missed the relatively simple conversion but the Wolves were suddenly back in the contest.

For the first time on the night, the pressure was now on Rovers as Warrington had all the momentum behind them. You felt it was only a matter of time before they came close to scoring again and as the hour mark approached, they did exactly that.

It was Ashton who was once again the scorer. This time, the Wolves worked the ball left beautifully and Dufty’s sublime cut-out ball found the 26-year-old, who touched down under pressure magnificently to reduce the gap to two. Crucially though, Thewlis again missed the conversion meaning that going into the final quarter, Rovers held a slender two point lead.

The final quarter was littered with drama, too. Rovers restored their composure for a brief period but two huge errors handed Warrington a glorious late chance to steal victory. However, the Robins dug deep when it mattered most to cling on and spark jubilant celebrations inside a sold-out Craven Park after securing their maiden Old Trafford appearance.