An all Super League Challenge Cup match up between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR did little to demand the neutrals attention after the 60-0 drubbing which the Warriors handed out to their visitors just a short fortnight ago.

With the DW Stadium pitch undergoing maintenance, the game was moved to the Leigh Sports Village and SKY select the game for live televising. Just over four and a half thousand souls, some of them using free tickets handed out by the Robins after their heavy defeat a fortnight ago, braved the elements to see whether KR could upset the bookies, the pundits and all expectations.

With Campese and Mantellato both back after missing the visit to the DW there was some optimism in the KR camp that they could spring a surprise and humble Shaun Wanes side but the bookies had the home side as firm favourites and the thoughts of 'revenge' just twinkle in Chris Chester's eye.

The opening exchanges were all Wigan, totally in line with expectations and when Sarginson caught a high kick and passed inside to Hampshire who found Crosby to score it looked like the Warriors had the start they wanted. Silverwood referee the decision to the video referees who came back with 'NO TRY', much to the disgust of the home support.

On fourteen the Warriors did take the lead but it was only by two points after Matty Smith slipped over a penalty from twenty metres away. It was a lead that would last just four minutes as KR made one of their first attacks count with a four pointer.

Cockayne and Campese exchanged passes before feeding Blair who took three Warriors tacklers over the line with him to ground in the corner. Silverwood had no hesitation and pointed to the spot and when Mantellato kicked brilliantly from the touch line it was a 6-2 lead for the visitors and a stunned reaction from the home crowd.

Just when it looked like KR would carry the lead into the interval Joel Tomkins scored in the corner off a brilliant Williams short pass but Matty Smith failed to add the extras and the sides went into the sheds all square at six apiece.

The second half was like a nervous game of chess and the advantage switched several times and kept us guessing the winner right until the final hooter.

On forty-seven Mantellato kicked a penalty after Sam Powell was late into the tackle for 8-6 but we were back all square on fifty-one when Smith goaled after a ball steal. On fifty-nine Mantellato regained the lead for his side with another two pointer after Wigan were offside, but two minutes later and Smith missed a chance to get level again when he missed a penalty attempt after an interference from Ben Cockayne.

Wigan finally regained the lead on sixty-three, after trailing for forty-five minutes, when a Tomkins quick pass from acting half-back close to the Robins line put Joe Burgess over in the corner. smith failed with the conversion but his side had a slender 12-10 lead.

Eight minutes from the end and Hull KR were rewarded for their never say die attitude. Dan Sarginson lost the ball in the tackle and Ken Sio gladly accepted the gift picking up the loose ball and stretching to ground the ball on the line. Richard Silverwood pointed straight to the spot and when Mantellato added the extras it was 16-12 to the Robins.

With just a couple of minutes remaining the stadium believed that Joel Tomkins had scored in the corner but the touch judge had spotted a boot in touch and when Referee Silverwood referred the try upstairs they agreed with his NO TRY decision and KR ran the clock down for a famous victory and a famous scalp.

Campese and Mantellato were the difference, this KR side look accomplished with them in the side and running the show,

This was a classic cup match full of error, incident, bad decision making, and the gritty determination of the underdog. It was a brilliant win for Chris Chester's side who put the crushing defeat of a fortnight ago behind them, and took sweet revenge in knocking Wigan out of the cup which they have lifted in two out of the last four years. There will be no Wembley for Wigan in 2015, but of Hull KR can play like this in their next two cup games then who would bet against the boys from East Hull making a long overdue return.

Elsewhere Saints were easy winners over York City Knights when they ran out as 46-6 winners, and Warrington Wolves made short work of the challenge from Dewsbury Rams when they saw off the Championship side with a comprehensive 52-10 win.

Wigan: Hampshire, Charnley, Tomkins J, Sarginson, Burgess, Williams, Smith, Crosby, McIllorum, Mossop, Bateman, Farrell, O'Loughlin. Subs: Sutton, Patrick, Tautai, Powell.

KR: Cockayne, Mantellato, Welham, Sio, Dixon, Blair, Campese, Green, Boudebza, Tilse, Larroyer, Horne, McCarthy. Subs: Cox, Donaldson, Ollett, Esslemont.


Referee: Richard Silverwood
Attendance: 4,677