The league leaders Hull KR took on St Helens in round
thirteen knowing that only a win was likely to keep them at the top of table as
Wigan Warriors kicked off at the same time against the 2025 whipping boys
Salford Red Devils needing two points to draw level.
St Helens came into the game on the back of two victories
and were looking to make it three in a row after a rocky period, the bookies
though favoured the home side and gave the visitors a six point start on the
coupon suggesting that the Robins might not have everything their own way.
Hull KR have been victorious on the last three occasions
that the sides have met including a 20-10 win in the round four match earlier
this year and you have to go back as far as August 2023 to find the last Saints
win.
The first try of the night came on just five minutes and
went the way of the Robins. Three pairs of hand from the back of the play the
ball saw Jack Broadbent through a gap to take a tackler with him as he grounded
wide. Arthur Mourgue added the conversion for a 6-0 lead, exactly as planned.
After a long stoppage for a friendly fire head injuries to
Alex Walmsley and Morgan Knowles, KR went over again for their second, Peta
Hiku dropping the shoulder, dragging three tacklers over the line with him to
ground. Mourgue added the conversion from wide for 12-0.
The heavily bandaged Walmsley was held up over the line on
fifteen, Saints first real attacking chance of the game. On the next play
Saints moved the ball to the left and Lewis Murphy was tackled short but
grounded short of the line on an opponents leg, lifting the ball again to
ground and be given the try by referee Rush. George Whitby hit the post with
the conversion attempt.
Deon Cross was sin-binned for a high tackle on twenty-one,
just as Saints were starting to get back into the game.
Despite Saints keeping KR out while a man down, Broadbent
got his second on thirty-three as he chased a delightful Jez Litten grubber
towards the cornerflag. Mourgue added the conversion for an 18-4 lead.
Two minutes later Mikey Lewis was put through a gap by a Sam
Luckley offload on the halfway line and he outpaced the chasing Saints players
to dive over in the corner. Mourgue missed his first conversion of the night but
clear daylight between the sides as half time approached.
But they weren’t finished. On thirty-nine Elliot Minchella
was the man to take full advantage of a try which was made by Lewis who
collected his own kick and found the support as he took the tackle. Mourgue added
the goal for a half time score of 28-4.
An incredible finish from Murphy, acrobatically grounding
with his body over the touchline. The referee sent the decision to the video
official as a try, but he was overruled as the ball was grounded touch in goal.
On the hour it was KR who extended their lead through their
talisman Lewis who threw a dummy, palmed off a tackler, and went ten metres to
score. Mourgue hit the mark with the conversion, a thirty-point lead.
The Robins completed the game with only twelve on the field,
skipper Minchella leaving the field without being replaced with the one
available interchange.
Hull KR are, once again, two points clear at the top of the table
while Saints face the real possibility of dropping out of the top six, depending
on the results on Saturday afternoon. It was a cruise for the Robins, Saints
putting up little opposition, and perfect preparation for next weeks Challenge
Cup Final against the Warrington Wolves which they now go into as strong favourites.
Hull KR: Mourgue (G 5/6), Davies, Hiku (T), Broadbent (2T),
Burgess, Lewis (2T), May, Sue, Litten, Whitbread, Tanginoa, Batchelor,
Minchella (T). Subs: Luckley, Doro, Leyland, Brown. 18th Man: Wallace.
St Helens: Welsby, Sailor, Percival, Cross (SB on 21),
Murphy (T), Lomax, Whitby (G 0/1), Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Whitley,
Knowles. Subs: Mbye, Paasi, Delaney,
Robertson. 18th Man: Stephens.
Half-Time: 28-4.
Full-Time: 34-4.
Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 10-0, 12-0, 12-4, (SB), 16-4, 18-4,
22-4, 26-4, 28-4 : HT: 32-4, 34-4 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: KR.
Referee: Liam Rush.
