Hull KR put their record thrashing at the hands of Wigan behind them with a 22-14 win over St Helens at MS3 Craven Park.

The Robins took a 10-0 lead with tries from David and Josh Hodgson, but a brace from Mark Percival before half time levelled the scores.

Cory Paterson put Rovers ahead in the second half before Adam Swift scored a length of the field try to bring themselves within two points. But Alex Brown scored in the corner with 10 minutes to go and Craig Hall’s penalty secured the result for the Robins.

The ­­­­Saints almost took an early lead through Meli after he beat the Rovers defence to a kick over the top but referee Ben Thaler judged Meli to have been offside and ruled out the try.

The visitors were forced to make an early change after Flanagan was forced off with a leg injury to be replaced by Hohaia.

KR made use of the advantage rule after a Saints knock-on as Welham broke down the left hand-side. The centre put a kick through for David Hodgson but it was covered by Makinson leaving Thaler to give KR a scrum on halfway.

David Hodgson didn’t miss his next chance as he scored on the left-hand side after a set-move from KR. Hall missed the kick on the touchline as Rovers held a 4-0 lead after 15 minutes.

A superb break from Dobson set up the Robins deep in Saints’ half, and the defending side gave away three penalties before Rovers broke through for their second try. Dobson was stopped short of the line and Josh Hodgson scooped the ball from dummy half and drove forward to score.

Saints spurned another chance through Meli who knocked-on inside KR’s 10 after a pass from Percival, but KR gave the ball away after a forward pass to Welham. Saints had another set after Hall’s attempted interception was knocked-on and Percival scored from the scrum.

The visitors set up the scrum with two men on the short-side which was not picked up by KR. Hohaia passed the ball from the back of the scrum to Percival who scored in the corner. Percival converted his own try making the score 10-6 after 30 minutes.

Percival grabbed a soon after following some superb hands from the Saints. Welham conceded possession after a knock-on and Saints kicked in to gear and quickly passed the ball down the left. Percival then had the legs to beat Brown and score. He missed his conversion leaving the scores 10-10 at half time.

KR started the second half well, forcing a drop-out but Jordan Cox knocked on after a big tackle from Sia Soliola.

Paterson put the home side ahead again after a strong run from 10 metres out. Rovers were awarded a penalty and played the ball around the left hand side. Paterson shrugged a number of attempted tackles as he made a dive for the line to score.

Saints came back into the game after a superb try from Swift. Despite KR pressing in Saints’ half a pass from Dobson went behind Hodgson on the wing and it was picked up by Swift who managed to stay in-field and then ran 80 metres to score. Despite being just five metres to the right of the sticks Percival missed his conversion attempt.

A grubber kick from Dobson forced another drop-out by the Saints and Brown went on to score in the next set. Dobson chipped a kick over which was batted back by Hall. Graeme Horne took the ball and found Brown on the wing forcing himself through an attempted tackle as he scored in the corner to give the Rovers a six point cushion at 20-14.

With five minutes remaining Dobson attempted a drop goal to put seven points between the teams, but he sent it wide of the uprights.

A late penalty from Hall secured the result, and two points for the Rovers in a 22-14 victory.

The win moves Rovers into seventh place ahead of the Leeds Rhinos, and the Saints remain in fifth place, level on points with Warrington Wolves and the Catalan Dragons.


Hull KR: Eden, D Hodgson, Welham, Horne, Brown; Hall, Dobson; Tuimavava, J Hodgson, Walker, Cox, Paterson, Mika.
Replacements: Lovegrove, Beaumont, Carlile, Paea.

T: D Hodgson, J Hodgson, Paterson, Brown
G: Hall 2/4

St Helens: Makinson, Swift, Percival, Turner, Meli; Wellens, Wilkin; Clough, Howarth, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Flanagan, Jones.
Replacements: Laffranchi, Walmsley, Greenwood, Hohaia.

T: Percival 2, Swift
G: Percival 1/3


Referee: Ben Thaler


RLFANS Man of the Match: Cory Paterson



Half Time: 10-10
Full Time: 22-14