Hull KR are four points clear at the top of Super League after ending their dismal run of losses in France, defeating Catalans Dragons 34-6. The Robins brought back-to-back defeats to an emphatic end as they defeated the Dragons on their patch for the first time in six years.
Wigan’s earlier defeat to Hull FC gave Rovers a huge opportunity to reestablish their four-point lead at the top of the table, and they made no mistake. It was a perfect day on that front.
It was a good performance, too. They will be disappointed they didn’t score more points after dominating territory, and in reality, two of their scores were gifted to them. However, their defence was excellent, the middle unit was solid, and they still scored more than enough points to run out comfortable winners.
The major news before the game was the glaring absence of captain Elliot Minchella, who was not selected despite travelling to France. There were three changes in total: Mikey Lewis, Rhyse Martin, and Bill Leyland returned, with Minchella, Jez Litten, and Danny Richardson missing out.
From the get-go, Rovers were on top. They dominated the battle down the middle and starved Catalans of any territory. They regularly started sets around halfway.
But they didn’t take all their chances. Peta Hiku, an absolute machine all game, made an early break after which the ball went to ground, and they made some unforced errors. Catalans also retrieved the ball from two drop-outs. It was frustrating for Rovers.
But such was the territorial dominance that points were inevitable, and the first came on 13 minutes through Jack Broadbent. Tyrone May was the architect, delaying his pass, wriggling out of Tevita Pangai Junior’s grasp, and releasing Broadbent to the line. Mourgue converted.
They really should have scored more. Hiku had a clanger as he dropped a crossfield kick unmarked with the line at his mercy.
But Lewis got the first of his two tries on 32 minutes. Sam Luckley deserves credit as his carry and offload put the halfback to the line for an easy score.
Lewis could have had a hat-trick before half-time, but had two tries ruled out. The first was as a result of the video referee adjudging Jack Broadbent had got a hand on a loose pass. The second, he lost the ball just before grounding it.
So despite dominating, it was only 12-0. You can imagine there was some anxiety after missing chances in the loss to Leeds.
But Rovers’ response was excellent. They fired after the break and got a third through Joe Burgess. Hiku broke from deep on the right edge. In the next play, they shifted the ball, and Burgess had a walk-in.
After forcing another drop out, Rovers made space again on the right, so much so that Broadbent didn’t need his wingman to score in the corner. Morgue couldn’t convert, his only miss of the evening, but at 22-0, it was over.
Catalans got a consolation through Romain Navarrete, a scruffy try after a grubber close to the line went under Mourgue.
But Rovers got the last laugh with two breakaway tries, both off Catalans errors.
A Denive Balmforth pass was kicked forward by Lewis and after hacking forward again, the ball bounced kindly and he dived home in front of an enormous Rovers following that had made the trip.
Then, Burgess got a second, picking up another loose ball after Catalans overplayed to score under the sticks.
Job done.
Catalans: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Leo Darrélatour, Clement Martin, Luke Keary, Cesa Rougé, Chris Satae, Alrix Da Costa, Romain Navarrete, Tevita Pangai Jr, Ben Garcia, Oli Partington. Subs: Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Franck Maria, Denive Balmforth.
Tries: Navarrete (63)
Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 1/1
Hull KR : Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Rhyse Martin, James Batchelor, Dean Hadley. Subs: Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa, Bill Leyland.
Tries: Broadbent (13, 56), Lewis (32, 73), Burgess (46,77)
Goals: Mourgue 5/6