The Robins regained their four-point advtange at the top of Super League.
Hull KR regained their four-point advantage at the top of Super League with a 36-6 win over Castleford Tigers. A game that certainly won’t be remembered fondly, Joe Burgess hat-trick ensured it was the Robins who came away victorious.
This felt like a game everyone at Hull KR was wishing away. The atmosphere at Craven Park was notably flatter than usual and on the field, the performance mirrored it.
Next week’s game with Wigan Warriors has been spoken about for weeks, months even. There can be no denying that it is a huge game and you have to think that it was in the back of the minds of everyone, six days out.
Ultimately, Rovers did enough to win this game comfortably, and with that, they are in a great position before visiting the defending champions next week. Win there and they’ll be six points clear with five games to go. They’ll have one hand on the League Leaders’ Shield if they can win.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was rested for this game, with the experienced prop replaced by Eribe Doro. In Tyrone May’s absence, Arthur Mourgue went to the halves, Jack Broadbent to fullback and James Batchelor to centre. Jai Whitbread and Dean Hadley were both recalled.
The first quarter was an ugly watch and in truth, the best chance went to the visitors. Rovers conceded three yardage penalties in the early stages and from one of them, Sam Wood threw a dummy and broke, but the former Robin couldn’t add the final pass.
Rovers eventually broke the deadlock through Joe Burgess. Slick hands from Rovers saw them create an overlap and Burgess had space to dive home. Mourgue couldn’t convert but Castleford were reduced to twelve with Jeremiah Simbiken sin-binned for a shoulder charge on Mikey Lewis in the build-up.
With that man advantage, Rovers scored again, and it was Burgess again. The Tigers defended a set valiantly but the pressure eventually told and Broadbent’s bullet pass gave him a simple finish. Mourgue converted this time.
But the Tigers, to their credit, were still grafting and were rewarded with a try of their own. Alex Mellor chased a high kick hard, towered over Broadbent and came down with the ball to score. Daejarn Asi converted and suddenly, it was 10-6.
As has often been the case this year, it was a stop-start contest. There were several captain’s challenges, all successful, and the video ref was called in to sort things out. That didn’t help things.
Rovers did eventually get an important try just before the break though as Jez Litten superbly evaded several defenders to score under the sticks. With that and Mourgue’s conversion, they had a 16-6 lead at half-time.
The start of the second half remained scatty. Castleford again successfully appealed a decision by the ref and from that, they thought they had scored through former Robin Louis Senior after he barged over the line. But the on-field video referee call was overturned as he’d dropped the ball.
From there, Rovers found their groove, scoring 20 points in just under 30 minutes.
Rhyse Martin scored first after a gap the size of a chasm emerged on Castleford’s left side, resulting in an easy score. Eight minutes later, Lewis raced home after Burgess superbly took a pass behind him at full speed and put the halfback away. Both scores were converted.
Mourgue scored next with a solo effort after stepping inside a number of defenders, again adding the extras to his own try.
And Burgess’ excellent performance was rewarded with a hat-trick, with Castleford’s defence again out of sync and Broadbent finding the winger with a floated pass.
A forgettable game, but two important points. Next stop, Wigan.
Rovers: Jack Broadbent, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, James Batchelor, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Arthur Mourgue, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jai Whitbread, Dean Hadley, Rhyse Martin, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Eribe Doro.
Tries: Burgess (20, 25, 73), Litten (36), Martin (51), Lewis (59), Mourgue (66)
Goals: Mourgue 4/6
Tigers: Jenson Windley, Josh Simm, Sam Wood, Josh Hodson, Louis Senior, Daejarn Asi, Joe Westerman, Tom Amone, Cain Robb, Joe Stimson, Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, George Lawler. Subs: George Griffin, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha, Brad Singleton.
Tries: Mellor (30)
Goals: Asi 1/1