The Robins lost 36-12 at the Brewdog Stadium but the youngsters produced a remarkable performance
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – 11/09/2026 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 27 – St Helens v Hull KR – The Brewdog Stadium, St Helens, England – Flynn Holden of Hull KR(Image: SW Pix)
Willie Peters will leave the Brewdog Stadium beaming with pride this evening after witnessing the fearless performances of his young Hull KR players.
The Robins were beaten 36-12 by St Helens, on what was an emotional night for the home side, with Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival retiring.
However, the youngsters, of which six were debutants and six were still teenagers, played out of their skins in Merseyside, pushing the Saints all the way and going close to pulling off what would have been one of the shocks of the season before three late tries saw the Saints pull away.
KR trailed 18-0 at the break though two Lomax efforts and a Percival try, but they pulled the hosts back to within six points in the second half as Bill Leyland and Flynn Holden touched down. Leyland got over first before Holden produced the moment of the match, beating four St Helens men to finish from halfway.
Rovers couldn’t quite pull off the unthinkable, but that doesn’t take away from the immense sense of pride Peters felt on the hooter.
“I’m extremely proud. It was unbelievable,” Peters said after the game. “We had 17-year-old kids playing tonight, first year academy players and what a performance.
“They tried their heart out until the end against a champion team. Two champions retiring tonight. I want to be pay tribute to them, they’ve been outstanding for the game for a long time but I’m really, really proud of our team tonight.
“That last try just before half-time, we don’t let that in then we get to 12-12 and add a little bit of scoreboard pressure. I felt we were on top in that second half but obviously being younger, some of those guys have never trained or played at that level, so they got tired towards the backend.
“They still kept fighting and it was similar to Wigan a few weeks ago when they saved a try in the corner and they did it again. They fought to the end. Extremely proud and they’ll learn a lot from that.”