With Wigan having been well beaten by the black and white
half of the city, Hull KR had a chance of going four points clear at the top of
the table if they could arrent back-to-back losses and get back to winning ways
against the beleaguered Catalans Dragons.
With Robins talisman Mikey Lewis back in the line-up, the
bookies didn’t give the home side much chance of springing an upset and gave
them a sixteen point start on the handicap coupon, despite home advantage.
It was the third meeting between the two sides in 2025, Hull
KR winning by a massive 68-6 a month ago and by 36-12 when they knocked the
Dragons out of the Challenge Cup on their way to lifting the trophy.
Hull KT’s pressure finally told on twelve minutes, Jack
Broadbent the man to take the final pass from Tyrone May to go in from ten
metres with a simple try. The Dragons challenged the decision of a try,
claiming an obstruction in the build-up, but the video referee ruled in KR’s
favour. Arthur Mourgue added the conversion against his old club.
On twenty-five Peta Hiku should have doubled the lead but
unopposed he failed to take a pinpoint Mikey Lewis chip.
Just after the half hour and the Dragons defence was
breached again, Mikey Lewis taking a pass ten from the line and walking over
with ease. Mourgue added a second goal for a 12-0 lead.
Four minutes later and Lewis looked like he was in for his
second but after consulting the video referee the try was ruled out for a
knock-on by Jack Broadbent in the build-up.
Thirty seconds before the interval Lewis had another try
ruled out as he lost possession in the act of grounding. The Dragons had ridden
their luck and went into the break trailing by just twelve points.
On forty-five KR extended the lead with Joe Burgess
finishing down the right wing, Mourgue on target with the conversion for 18-0.
Ten minutes later an attempted intercept from the Dragons
saw the ball returned to KR who passed it down the line to the left, Broadbent
crossing in the corner. Mourgue was unable to add the conversion from wide, the
Robins with a 22-0 lead.
The Dragons got some joy on sixty-three, Romain Navarrete
diving on an Alrix Da Costa grubber under the sticks, to ground. Guillermo
Aispuro-Bichet added the conversion for 6-22.
Lewis grabbed a second try on seventy-two with an individual
try and he hacked forward a loose pass from within his own half, chased the
ball and collected before dotting down under the sticks. Mourgue added the
conversion for 28-6.
Another Dragons error just inside the Hull KR half saw a
loose pass go to ground, Burgess jumped at the opportunity and picked up the
loose ball to spring sixty metres to score.
Mourgue added the conversion as the clock ticked into the last ninety
seconds.
Hull KR returned to winning ways and are back with a four-point
lead at the top of the table with eight rounds remaining. With Wigan having hit
a rocky patch and Leigh and Leeds even further adrift, they now looked nailed
on as minor premiers. Few would bet against them getting the treble with a
clean sweep of domestic trophies. The Dragons on the other hand have had a
nightmare of a season and there is no sign of them turning the corner any time
soon.
Catalans Dragons:
Aispuro-Bichet (G 1/1), Makinson, Romano, Darrélatour, Martin, Keary, Rougé,
Satae, Da Costa, Navarrete (T), Pangai Jr, Garcia, Partington. Subs: Bousquet,
Sims, Maria, Balmforth. 18th Man: Fages.
Hull KR: Mourgue (G 5/6), Davies, Hiku, Broadbent (T),
Burgess (2T), Lewis (2T), May (T), Sue, McIlorum, Warea-Hargreaves, Martin, Batchelor,
Hadley. Subs: Luckley, Leyland, Tanginoa,
Tanginoa. 18th Man: Brown.
Half-Time: 0-12.
Full-Time: 6-34.
Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 0-10, 0-12 : HT: 0-16, 0-18,
0-22, 4-22, 6-22, 6-26, 6-28, 6-32, 6-34 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: KR.
Referee: Tom Grant.
