Wigan 21 Hull KR 16: Charnley redeems himself to give Warriors controversial win

By Neil Barraclough for MailOnline

Published: 17:11 EST, 2 August 2013 | Updated: 19:07 EST, 2 August 2013


Josh Charnley's double spared Wigan’s blushes just five days after his own excruciating embarrassment – but only after a contentious decision by video referee James Child granted his second and left Rovers stunned.

Charnley salvaged a difficult week, after a picture of him posing naked emerged on Twitter, by scoring his crucial second try early in the second half to maintain Wigan’s hopes of clinching the League Leaders’ Shield.

Redeemed: Wigan Warrior's Darrell Goulding (left) celebrates with Josh Charnley

Redeemed: Wigan Warrior's Darrell Goulding (left) celebrates with Josh Charnley

Rovers boss Craig Sandercock said: 'I can’t comment because otherwise I’ll be copping a fine.

'Everyone saw it. I’ve no comment. What can I say? It’s on the line, 100 per cent.'

He added: 'We’ve a great bunch of blokes and maybe one day the bounce of the ball can go our way. To come through that adversity and almost snatch it at the end – I couldn’t be more pleased with the boys.'

Wigan’s win puts them top of the Super League table – for 48 hours at least – but coach Shaun Wane was fuming with his side’s performance.

Victorious: Wigan's Josh Charnley (right) won the game for the home side

Victorious: Wigan's Josh Charnley (right) won the game for the home side

Wane said: 'I told the players what I thought at half time. We weren’t at our best and the manner in which we won was a little disappointing.

'I expect a better performance than that. We’re missing some important players, but that wasn’t acceptable for this club.

'We want to try to win everything, but when we come up with performances like that you put yourselves under pressure. Some of our errors were very uncharacteristic.'

Get here: Wigan's Darrell Goulding (left) is stooped in his traps by Hull KR's Michael Dobson

Get here: Wigan's Darrell Goulding (left) is stooped in his traps by Hull KR's Michael Dobson

Only Anthony Gelling’s late try and Matty Smith’s drop goal finally sealed the points, with Evarn Tuimavave’s score providing Rovers with a consolation four minutes from time.

Wigan had five first choice players missing, including Sam Tomkins, but Charnley’s early try got the Warriors rolling before Greg Eden and Michael Dobson put Rovers ahead.

Wigan were only saved from a half-time deficit by a moment of magic from Smith, whose grubber kick bounced perfectly for Charnley to feed Darrell Goulding with just one second left on the clock.