Hull KR go top after thrashing Dragons

Betfred Super League

Catalans Dragons (4) 4

Tries: Sironen

Hull KR (12) 36

Tries: Minchella 2, Hiku, Hall 2, Tanginoa 2, Evalds Goals: Lewis 2

Hull KR climbed to the top of the Super League with a comfortable victory over Catalans Dragons on day two of the Magic Weekend at Elland Road.

The Robins, who confirmed a play-off spot, scored at key moments and defended well at times, with their quick passing and breakaways themes in a strong performance.

Catalans should have been put to the sword much earlier, but Mikey Lewis only kicked two of eight conversion opportunities.

The Dragons remain in a strong position in the play-off race, sitting fifth, but face Leeds next week needing to get back on track.

Rovers took the lead just shy of 14 minutes in, with Elliot Minchella forcing his way over from close range after patient build-up play. Jai Whitbread's offload was perfectly timed, but Lewis somehow hit the post with his conversion.

Bayley Sironen restored parity in the left corner eight minutes later. Arthur Mourgue, like Lewis, could only strike the post with his conversion from the angle.

Peta Hiku's 15th try of the season restored the Robins' lead almost instantly. He wriggled through after a superbly swift switch of play, turning Arthur Romano inside out. Lewis again failed to convert.

Willie Peters' side extended their lead before the interval when Ryan Hall crossed from the tightest of angles. Yet more superb interplay left him very little room, but he made the most of it, before Lewis hit the post with his conversion for the third time.

Elliot Minchella scored two tries for Hull KR

Lewis' poor kicking was keeping Catalans in the game, but Minchella added a fourth try just minutes into the second half. He capitalised on an error from the Dragons defence and powered through to score. Lewis got off the mark with the conversion.

The fifth try was not far behind. The Red and Whites were ruthless in punishing a loss of Catalans possession, again quickly passing the ball wide and this time it was Kelepi Tanginoa who benefited. Lewis again missed, keeping faint Dragons hopes alive.

The contest was more or less ended on the hour. Jez Litten broke through before finding Dean Hadley, whose audacious offload found Hall, ready to cross for his second try of the game. Lewis missed his kick again, but the floodgates opened.

Tanginoa crossed after exploiting a gap in the Dragons defence to make it 30-4, but Lewis hit the post for a fourth time.

Niall Evalds collected a clever kick from Tyrone May to wrap the game up three minutes from time, and Lewis finally secured a second successful kick.

Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara:

“Rovers were very good and you have to give them credit for that.

“They were too good and deserved to win but, at the same time, our complete lack of resilience in the second half was really poor and that is really disappointing.”

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I'm really proud of the players. It was a good performance; the players defended hard for each other for the majority of the game.

"We want to be in the play-offs and we're there. We are pleased with where we are in the ladder, but we want to stay there.

"We want to be playing in the big game at the end of the year. The only way to do that is work hard.

"If we keep our mindset we'll put ourselves in a great position. When you are consistent with all your prep, you're consistent with your performance."

Catalans: Rouge, Davies, Romano, Smith, Ikuvalu, Mourgue, Fages, Navarrete, Da Costa, Dezaria, Garcia, Sironen, Bousquet

Interchanges: Seguier, Satae. Wallace, Yaha

Hull KR: Evalds, Burgess, Hiku, Gildart, Hall, May, Lewis, Sue, Parcell, Whitbread, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella

Interchanges: Litten, Luckley, Storton, Tanginoa, Brown

Referee: Tom Grant.