Betfred Super League play-off eliminator

Warrington (12) 35

Tries: Currie, Ashton 3, Hopoate, King Goals: Irwin 5 Drop-goal: Williams

Hull KR (6) 12

Tries: Burgess, Hadley Goals: Mourgue 2

Matty Ashton scored a hat-trick as Warrington Wolves ended Hull Kingston Rovers’ reign as Super League champions with victory in the play-off eliminator.

Wire will now travel to play Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley on Friday, 25 September for a place in the Grand Final, with Wakefield Trinity taking on Wigan Warriors in the other semi-final the following evening.

Warrington were the better side throughout but only held a 12-6 lead at half-time as a superb Joe Burgess try for the Robins answered scores from Ben Currie and Ashton.

The task became much tougher for Willie Peters’ side, who managed a clean sweep of domestic honours last season, when Peta Hiku was sent off after his fist to the face of George Williams was deemed to be a punch.

Ashton’s second try brought a response from Dean Hadley but the Wolves ran away with it as Ashton grabbed his third, Albert Hopoate and Toby King also crossed, and Williams capped a fine display with a late drop-goal.

Defeat brought Peters’ successful reign as Rovers coach to an end, as he leaves to join new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs next season, and his team produced an underwhelming display which reflected their inconsistent season.

They finished eight points behind the Wolves in the Super League table and that gap was evident as Burgess’s early fumble gifted Currie a try under the posts, with Ewan Irwin converting and then adding a penalty as Sam Burgess’s side dominated.

The Robins briefly showed the style which brought them last season’s Super League title, the League Leaders’ Shield and Challenge Cup as Arthur Mourgue broke from close to his own line and Joe Burgess was in support to score a try that took them within two points.

Wire’s response was instant as they carved open the Robins’ right flank and Ashton finished for his 100th Super League try, although Rovers fans still had belief that their side could turn it around in the second half.

Those hopes evaporated as Hiku stupidly thrust his closed fist in the face of a startled Williams, and a video review deemed it to be a red card offence.

Rovers continued to battle as Karl Lawton thrust his foot under the ball to prevent a Josh Thewlis try and Hadley went up the other end to take the 12 men to within four points.

Hadley seemed set to level the scores as he strode for the posts but James Bentley stole the ball and broke, and when the pacy Ashton got up in support, there was only going to be one outcome as he claimed his third of the night.

That deflated a resurgent Robins side and Hopoate produced a spectacular acrobatic finish, Williams added a one-pointer and King said farewell to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on his final home appearance before joining London Broncos with a late try to round off a comprehensive win.

Warrington: Josh Thewlis; Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Irwin; Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Stone, Bentley, Currie

Interchanges: Yates, Hayes, Philbin, Tanginoa

Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella

Interchanges: Amone, Broadbent, Luckley, Lawton

Sent off: Hiku (42)

Referee: Aaron Moore.