The Robins head into this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash on the back of six straight wins
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 11/04/2026 – Rugby League – Betfred Challenge Cup: Quarter-Final – Hull KR vs York Knights – Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England – Tyrone May of Hull KR celebrates with Karl Lawton after scoring a try.(Image: SW Pix)
Hull KR are starting to find their groove as they approach a pivotal period of the season.
That’s the belief of Karl Lawton, who scored two tries on Thursday evening to set the Robins on their to a dominant win over Castleford Tigers at Craven Park.
That win was KR’s sixth in a row in all competitions and as they leave their difficult start to the season behind them, it’s fair to say Willie Peters’ side have ignited their charge to defend their Super League crown.
Before the Robins can continue their push towards top spot, though, they have a Challenge Cup semi-final to win with Warrington Wolves their opponents in Doncaster on Sunday and they go into that game with bags of self belief now.
“You can definitely feel the difference,” Lawton said as momentum builds in east Hull once more. “We had a pretty disrupted start to the season, I think we’re finding our groove now and it’s probably the right time of year to, I reckon.
“We’re definitely oozing some confidence, especially in our defence. We’ve leaked a try or two tries a game for the last six games so we’re doing pretty well in that department.
“That’s the main focus and the way we play at Hull KR, we’re a defensive team. So we’ll keep nailing that and put some good performances together.”
Having arrived in the off-season from North Queensland Cowboys, this weekend’s game will be Lawton’s first Challenge Cup semi-final. He knows how big the game is and as Rovers bid to retain their cup crown, the opportunity ahead of them is tantalising.
The utility man won’t be approaching this weekend’s tie any differently, though.
“You have to take it like every other game I guess and not get too far ahead of yourself,” he added. “I’m just trying to nail the little things and once you nail the little the little things, you get a performance like that.
“I’ve played this game a long time and if you ride the highs too high or the lows too low, you end up on a big rollercoaster. You’ve got to keep pretty neutral I think. “
On Warrington, he said: “They’re a strong team. Obviously they’re pretty equipped across the board and they’re pretty healthy too by the looks of it. Every team has their day, it happened to us and we’ve done it to other people, it’s whoever turns up and is the hungriest.”