Hull KR were urged to respond and respond they did.
Hull KR star Mikey Lewis scores against Huddersfield Giants.
Hull KR produced a patient, high-completion performance to secure a comfortable 32-6 victory over Huddersfield Giants.
Head coach Willie Peters demanded an immediate response from his Rovers side following their Las Vegas nightmare, and he will leave the Accu Stadium pleased with their first outing after a chaotic start to the new season that included Sin City and the World Club Challenge.
The Robins were rarely troubled by Huddersfield across the 80 minutes, with both sides entering the round four contest still searching for their first win of the Super League campaign.
Hull KR now have their first two points on the board to finally kick-start their season and settle into the rhythm of weekly Super League action, though they will return to Huddersfield next week for their fourth round Challenge Cup clash.
The visitors made the perfect start when Oliver Gildart crossed for the opening try inside four minutes, the centre beating his opposite number on the outside to give Hull KR an early 4-0 lead.
Huddersfield’s performance was riddled with errors, inviting pressure from the reigning champions, and Hull KR took advantage as Tom Davies extended their lead. Both tries were created by the influential Tyrone May, the unsung hero of the afternoon.
The playmaker delivered again just before the break, sending Joe Burgess over untouched to give the Robins a commanding 16-0 lead at half-time.
Mikey Lewis looked dangerous throughout and produced a clean line break in the first half. The maverick half-back got his reward early in the second period, continuing Hull KR’s scoring as he danced across the line, spotted a gap, threw a brilliant dummy and finished just four minutes after the restart.
Huddersfield eventually found a response when George Flanagan leapt highest to collect a kick from Tui Lolohea. However, the full-back was forced from the field with an injury after grounding the ball to reduce the deficit to 22-6 after 52 minutes.
Hull KR hit back almost immediately as Davies grabbed his second following slick ball movement across the line in a full-team effort.
Things went from bad to worse for Huddersfield when Matty English was helped from the field with a leg injury, with Karl Lawton sent to the sin-bin for his late and low effort on the Giants forward.
The hosts however were unable to take advantage of their extra man, while Hull KR completed their professional, clinical team display with another try from Lewis – his second of the match – for a 32-6 victory.
Hull KR: Jack Broadbent, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Karl Lawton, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Tom Amone, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin.
Tries: Gildart (3’) Davies (28’, 57’), Burgess (38’), Lewis (44’, 75′)
Goals: Lewis 1/2, Martin 3/4
Huddersfield Giants: George Flanagan, Tanguy Zenon, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Connor Carr, Tui Lolohea, Oliver Russell, Chris Patolo, Kieran Rush, Tom Burgess, Asher O’Donnell, Jack Billington, Matty English.
Bench: Tristan Powell, Fenton Rogers, Mathieu Cozza, George King.
Tries: Flanagan (52’)
Goals: Russell 1/1