Super League: Hull KR 14-32 Catalan Dragons

Michael Oldfield now has 20 Super League tries this season

Michael Oldfield's hat-trick helped Catalan secure a play-off spot and end Hull KR's slim chances of qualifying.

The hosts went ahead early through a converted Liam Salter try, before Oldfield went over twice - Thomas Bosc improving both.

Macauley Hallett then crossed on his debut to make it 12-10 at half-time.

Jason Chan barged Rovers in front after the break, but Oldfield, Morgan Escare and a Sam Williams brace made it a comfortable French victory.

A run of one point from four games has proved costly for the Robins as the decision to replace Craig Sandercock with assistant coach James Chester did not pay dividends quickly enough.

Chester's side had looked a good bet for a top-eight spot until Super League champions Wigan scored on the hooter to deny them a shock victory three weekends ago.

For Catalan, it is a fourth successive play-off campaign since finishing rock bottom in 2010.

But they will face a tough task in the end-of-season knockout as the highest they can finish is seventh.

The Dragons had to battle to win at Craven Park with only a late flurry of tries pulling them clear of a dogged Hull KR team.

Rovers centre Salter snuck in the corner, but Oldfield quickly replied with a length-of-the-field try.

The Aussie winger grabbed his second before Greg Eden fed teenager Hallett to score out wide, and Travis Burns pushed his conversion wide to end the game's 100% success rate.

Bosc followed suit by missing a goal on the hooter, and the hosts were back in front soon after the restart when Chan seized on a loose ball and shrugged off multiple tackles to score.

But Rovers would not get on the scoreboard again as Burns missed his kick and Williams followed Oldfield's lead by racing in from his own half to score.

Oldfield was soon over on the touchline to complete his hat-trick. Williams' fine kick and chase saw him gather and slide in and almost straight from kick-off Escare found a huge hole in the Hull KR defence to dive under the posts.

Hull KR coach Chris Chester:

"It was a typical end of season performance and it typifies our season.

"We had a good chance to win the game and we were in it for 50 to 60 minutes, but we just ran out of gas in the end.

"I'd like to thank people like Josh Hodgson. He's been a great leader and a great help to me.

"I'm desperately disappointed for him because he was playing his final home game and we didn't want to send him out on a bad note."

Catalan Dragons coach Laurent Frayssinous:

"The second half was strong and our defensive attitude was good for the 80 minutes which was pleasing.

"We are like a family on the field with players turning out for each other. We scored some really good long-range tries which is something we wanted to work on from last season.

"Morgan Escare and Michael Oldfield can create something from anything. Our right was pretty good and we made good decisions at the right time and Oldfield can finish well."

Hull KR: Eden; Hallett, Horne, Hall, Salter; Burns, Keating; A. Walker, J. Hodgson, Weyman, Larroyer, Chan, Costigan.

Replacements: Carlile, Green, Netherton, Esslemont.

Catalan Dragons: Escare; Oldfield, Pomeroy, Duport, Millard; Bosc, Williams; Elima, Henderson, Anderson, Taia, Whitehead, Mounis.

Replacements: Pelissier, Bousquet, Paea, Garcia.

Referee: Richard Silverwood.

Attendance: 6,412.