Ashton hat-trick fires Warrington past Hull KR and ends champions' reign
Matty Ashton scored a hat-trick as Warrington Wolves knocked holders Hull KR out of the Super League play-offs with a 35-12 win.
The eliminator was a straight knockout tie. Lose and the season is over. Warrington handled that pressure best to set up a semi-final away to Leeds Rhinos, according to BBC Sport.
Warrington led only 12-6 at half-time before pulling clear after the break. Ben Currie, Albert Hopoate and Toby King scored their other tries, alongside Ashton's three, while Joe Burgess and Dean Hadley crossed for Hull KR. A try, touching the ball down over the line, is worth four points in rugby league.
Ashton's opener was his 100th Super League try. Ewan Irwin then kicked five goals, the two-point kicks at goal that follow tries, for Warrington. Arthur Mourgue kicked two goals for Hull KR and George Williams added a one-point drop-goal for the winners.
The holders are out. Hull KR played the entire second half with 12 men instead of 13 after Peta Hiku was sent off in the 42nd minute for punching Williams in the face. Warrington took control from there and never let the game get tight again.
Hull KR arrived as champions after winning last season's Super League title, League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup. They finished this regular season eight points behind Warrington. The defeat also ended Willie Peters' time as Hull KR coach, with the Australian leaving to join new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs.
For fans, this means a trip to AMT Headingley. Warrington will face Leeds Rhinos there on Friday, 25 September for a place in the Grand Final. It was also Toby King's final home appearance for Warrington before he joins London Broncos.
What makes this stand out is Ashton's timing. He also scored three tries in Warrington's final home game of last year's regular season. Against the champions, with a Grand Final place on the line, he did it again.
