A place at Old Trafford awaited the victors as Hull Kingston Rovers looked to achieve their first ever Grand Final against a Warrington Wolves side who have made it through to the showpiece game on four previous occasions but who have never lifted the trophy.
The two teams had already met on three occasions in Super League 2024, Warrington winning the first two meetings by 22-20 and 20-8 while the most recent encounter saw Hull KR triumphant by the scoreline of 22-4.
The home side were slight favourites with the bookies going into the game and they were handicapped by four points on the coupon, it was an indication that in all reality the game was too close to call and the stage was set for a great game of knockout rugby.
It was a ferocious opening with KR’s Dean Hadley coming closest to scoring as he was held up over the line on nine minutes.
On sixteen it was the Robins who hit the front with James Batchelor stretching for the line after Roderick Tai was penalised for obstruction. Somehow Batchelor shrugged off three tackles to reach over and score while on his knees. Mikey Lewis was unable to add the conversion but the home support were happy at the start that their side had made.
Just before the half hour mark the Wolves went in but were pulled up for an obstruction in the build-up.
On thirty-four a moment of controversy as Joe Burgess crashed over the line under a crowd of Warrington defenders. Referee Moore sent the decision to the video referee as a TRY and the official with the VT couldn’t find evidence that the ball wasn’t grounded. The decision was to award the try, the home sides supporters delighted, those travelling over the Pennines were furious. Lewis added the conversion for a 10-0 lead.
The Warrington fightback took five minutes of the second half to get underway when Matty Ashton scooted from dummy half and found a big gap to run through a stretch to ground one-handed. Josh Thewlis was wide with his conversion attempt, the gap still six points.
As the hour mark approached Ashton leapt to score one-handed in the left corner, grounding on the line to reduce the arrears to just two points. Thewlis was again wide with his conversion attempt, Warrington needed another, but they were the ones brimming with confidence.
With a minute remaining Matt Dufty spilled the ball in the tackle ten out from the KR line, the home side riding their luck and securing the win by just two points to book their place in the 2024 grand final, the Wolves finding that this was one game too far, despite a great second half fightback.
Warrington were devastated, Hull KR and their supporters were ecstatic. Old Trafford will be emblazoned in red and white next weekend with half of Hull making their way to Manchester to cheer their side to what they hope will be a sensational first glory in the games flagship event.
Hull KR: Evalds, Burgess (T), Hiku, Broadbent, Hall, May, Lewis (1/2 G), Sue, Parcell, Whitbread, Storton, Batchelor (T), Hadley. Subs: Litten, Luckley, Tanginoa, Brown. 18thMan: King.
Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis (0/2 G), Tai, King, Ashton (2T), Williams, Drinkwater, Yates, Walker, Harrison Bateman, Nicholson, Currie. Subs: Powell, Crowtherm Vaughan, Philbin. 18th Man: Musgrove.
Half-Time: 10-0.
Full-Time: 10-8.
Score Progression: 4-0, 8-0, 10-0 : HT: 10-4, 10-8 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: KR.
Referee: Liam Moore.
