THE gulf between the best and the rest was highlighted perfectly as Hull KR saw their hopes of reaching Wembley ripped away from them by a rampant Wigan.
For the first 35 minutes, Rovers were actually the better side and deserved their 4-0 lead, thanks to Dave Hodgson's try and their more physical approach.
But they could not keep the intensity up and when the Warriors clicked into gear they more than showed why they are top of Super League, favourites to reach the Grand Final and on course for another Challenge Cup final appearance.
As for Rovers, their wait to return to Wembley for a Challenge Cup final for the first time since 1986 continues.
Having set themselves the goal of reaching the semi-final stages at least, falling short of that target will not bode well in the boardroom. With the position of coach Craig Sandercock in the spotlight again after Neil Hudgell's comments in the match-day programme, this result is unlikely to have strengthened his grip on his job.
Outscored by eight tries to three, Wigan lived up to their role as favourites as many KR fans turned up at MS3 Craven Park hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.
It was the Robins who started better as Cory Paterson executed the perfect short kick-off for Hodgson to palm back for his side to win possession. Catching Wigan off guard, and getting the small crowd on their feet right from the start, it was important for Rovers to keep them there.
From their first set, Rovers forced a goal-line drop out. From that, Hodgson scored by grounding Michael Dobson's kick which was knocked back by Craig Hall in a contest against Sam Tomkins. Unfortunately, Dobson missed the conversion to leave his side leading 4-0.
That should have been increased to 10-0 when Hall broke free on the left hand side and after beating one man, he delayed his pass too long and it eventually drifted forward as a big chance went begging.
From the off, it was clear Rovers were determined to upset Wigan as much as possible. The heat was cranked up further when Paterson flattened former Robins play-maker Blake Green with a strong hit, leaving Paterson to be placed on report and Green to leave the pitch dazed and confused.
While Rovers dominated early proceedings, they were unable to add to their four points on the scoreboard.
Wigan, who weren't at their best, did enough to weather the storm and keep Rovers to just one try, before the tide eventually turned their way.
If the first 35 minutes belonged to Rovers, the final 45 was all Wigan and, almost inevitably, Sam Tomkins was the main tormentor.
A side-step after taking Sean O'Loughlin's pass saw Rovers' defence open up in front of Tomkins to score under the posts. Pat Richards converted to give Wigan a 6-4 lead.
A comedy of errors preceded Wigan's next try just three minutes later.
Firstly, Omari Caro dropped a straightforward kick to gift Wigan possession 20 metres out and when Sam Tomkins' kick was horribly missed by Greg Eden it left him the simplest of tries under the posts. Richards' conversion made the half-time score 12-4.
The second half belonged to Wigan as they turned the screw.
It took the visitors three minutes to take control of the game as a Richards break ripped Rovers' defence apart for the winger to send Tomkins over for his hat-trick.
The pair swapped roles and Richards grounded Tomkins' kick and suddenly, within 10 minutes of action, Rovers had gone from leading 4-0 to being 24-4 down.
But there was further damage to come their way as Josh Charnley scored from another brilliant Tomkins kick. Richards missed his first conversion, but it hardly mattered as Wigan were in control at 28-4.
The heart that was so evident in Rovers' early play was gone. Wigan sensed it and went for the jugular.
Iain Thornley went round Caro far too easily to score Wigan's sixth try in the 55th minute as Rovers kept trying in difficult circumstances.
Dobson created another try with a kick that caused havoc in defence before Hall grounded.
Liam Farrell's try in the 65th minute restored Wigan's 30-point lead, before Tomkins scored his fourth try to leave Hall's late effort as nothing more than a consolation.
With winger Hodgson and second rower Paterson set to discover the extent of their respective finger and wrist injuries this week, things could be about to get even worse.
For Rovers to take any positives out of this season, they need to find their way into the top eight and stay there, starting with a home win against Wakefield next week.
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• Gallery: Hull KR v Wigan in pictures
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