Hull Kingston Rovers 44-18 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Hull KR produced a dominant second-half display against Wakefield to end a three-match losing run and climb into Super League's top eight.

Rovers trailed 18-16 at half-time but scored 28 points without reply in the second period.

Luke George, Rhys Lovegrove and Graeme Horne all crossed twice for the hosts while Michael Dobson was on target with six goals from eight attempts.

Ben Cockayne, Dean Collis and Lee Smith notched the Wakefield tries.

The result relieves some of the pressure on Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock after a poor run of results but his opposite number Richard Agar will be concerned by his side's collapse.

Rovers started brightly and led when Horne received a pass from Travis Burns to cross before former Wakefield winger George landed his first score for the Robins.

The visitors came to life when Collis's pace produced their first try and Cockayne followed that up by touching down in the corner.

Wakefield's third and final score came from Lee Smith, who collected a long pass by Richard Mathers before touching down, although Horne kept the score tight by landing his second of the day.

But Hull KR were untouchable after the break, with Horne's kick on the last tackle finding Craig Hall to re-establish the home side's lead.

George took Welham's pass to score his second try on 56 minutes and, with the Wildcats tiring, Lovegrove powered over and substitute prop Adam Walker offloaded from the tackle to get loose-forward Con Mika over.

Lovegrove tore through again for his second as Hull KR put themselves back in the play-off mix.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock: "We haven't been as bad as you guys [the media] have been saying.

"We knew, if we could be just a bit more disciplined and control the ball a bit more, we'd have a chance today.

"We were disappointed with our first half. We gave away possession way too cheaply.

"We wanted to make sure we completed our sets in the second half and fortunately we did that.

"Keeping them scoreless for the second half was probably the most pleasing part."

Wakefield coach Richard Agar: "It's at the point in our season when we are still in touch [with the play-offs] but, if we keep putting in performances like that, our season could go one way.

"Alternatively, we can have a good look at ourselves and get ready for next week, and hopefully put in a much improved performance and give ourselves a kick start.

"Today was a good opportunity for us and we were nowhere near tough enough to win that game in the second half.

"We committed more knock-ons and unforced errors today than we have for a long time and it played a massive part in the game.

"We need to show a little bit more resilience and grit when things are going against us."

SUNDAY'S LINE-UPS

Hull KR: Hall, Brown, Salter, Welham, George, Burns, Dobson, Griffin, Hodgson, Paea, Horne, Lovegrove, Mika

Replacements: Withers, Cox, Beaumont, Walker

Wakefield: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Smith, Cockayne, Wood, Smith, Poore, Aiton, Raleigh, Mellars, Kirmond, Washbrook

Replacements: Amor, Wilkes, Molloy, Annakin

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 6,933