Hull KR secure second consecutive Challenge Cup final with dominant display over Warrington
A 32-12 victory at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium sees Hull KR extend their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions
Hull Kingston Rovers have confirmed their status as the form team in Super League by defeating Warrington Wolves 32-12 in the Challenge Cup semi-final. The victory at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium ensures that Hull KR will contest the final against Wigan Warriors for a second consecutive year, maintaining their position as the current holders of the trophy.
The Robins established a commanding 14-0 lead within the first 25 minutes by exploiting an early error from Warrington's Josh Thewlis. Hull KR forwards capitalised on the defensive lapse to secure tries from James Batchelor and Joe Burgess, with Mikey Lewis converting both efforts and adding a penalty. This early dominance set the tone for a match where the injury-hit Wire struggled to contain the Robins' speed and rigour around the tackle.
Despite the deficit, Warrington managed to score through Ben Currie in the second half, offering a brief respite for the home crowd. However, Hull KR's defence remained vigorous, and the Robins added three more tries in the same period to seal the contest. Oliver Gildart scored the first try of the second half, followed by further points from Burgess and Batchelor, while Sam Stone's late score for the Wolves was deemed academic given the scoreline.
The victory extends Hull KR's unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions, a significant turnaround following an indifferent start to their Super League title defence. The club enters the final having also secured the World Club Challenge in February, demonstrating a consistent ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Warrington entered the match missing key players George Williams, Cai Taylor-Wray, and James Harrison due to injury, which hampered their ability to compete against the form side. Although the Wire have won four of their last five games in all competitions, they were unable to overcome the superior momentum and tactical execution displayed by Hull KR at the Eco-Power Stadium.
The upcoming final will be a Wembley showdown between the two sides, with Hull KR looking to add another major trophy to their honours list. Their performance in this semi-final underscores their capability to dominate opponents and maintain pressure throughout a match, setting up a high-stakes encounter against Wigan Warriors.
