Rugby League | Hull KR 34 - 4 St Helens

This was a concerning match for St Helens

Hull Kingston Rovers maintained their grip on the Super League summit with a commanding victory over St Helens, sending them into next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley full of confidence.

Author | Josh D

Pre match at Craven Park

The home side led 28-4 at the break, thanks to two tries by Jack Broadbent and strong finishes from Peta Hiku, Mikey Lewis and Elliot Minchella.

Saints’ sole first-half try came from Lewis Murphy, who later almost reduced the deficit with an acrobatic effort ruled out just before Lewis added his second of the evening at the opposite end. Rovers’ dominant performance against the long-time Super League powerhouse, which lifted a record tenth title only three years ago, gives them ideal momentum ahead of their London showdown with Warrington Wolves.

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Saints arrived in east Hull on the back of emphatic wins over Huddersfield Giants and Catalans Dragons, yet they could not reproduce that form. Early in the contest Kelepi Tanginoa produced a one-handed pass to set up Broadbent’s close-range opener after six minutes. Veteran prop Alex Walmsley marked his 300th appearance with a head injury, requiring treatment before Hiku stormed over for Rovers’ second try.

At this point, one St Helens fan text me: "This is awful. Hull KR look like the team we used to be. We are nowhere near the required level to compete at the top of Super League."

St Helens briefly rallied as Jonny Lomax linked with Murphy to touch down, but Deon Cross was sin-binned for a high tackle on Arthur Mourgue. Broadbent then grabbed his second from a neat kick by Jez Litten, before Lewis and Minchella extended the lead just before half-time.

After the interval Murphy saw his diving finish chalked off for a forward pass, and Lewis completed the rout with an eighth try in his last six games against Saints. Victory keeps Hull KR two points clear at the top and sets them up for next week's trip to Wembley.