Hull KR climbed to the top of the Super League with a comfortable win over Catalans Dragons on the second day of the Magic Weekend at Elland Road.
The Robins scored at the crucial moments and defended well at times. Their quick passing game and counter-attacking tactics showed a strong performance.
The Catalans should have been defeated much earlier, but Mikey Lewis only used two of eight opportunities to raise the score.
The Dragons remain in a strong position in the race for the play-offs, currently sitting fifth, but will need to get back on track next week against Leeds.
Hull took a narrow lead after 14 minutes when Elliot Minchella, after a patient build-up of play, fired the ball over the goal from close range. Jai Whitbread’s clearance was perfectly timed, but Lewis’s counterattack somehow hit the post.
Eight minutes later, Bayley Sironen equalised in the left corner. Arthur Mourgue’s shot from a tight angle hit the post, as did Lewis.
Peta Hiku’s 15th try of the season restored Hull’s lead almost instantly. He wriggled through after an incredibly quick change of play and headed Arthur Romano. Lewis again failed to convert his try.
Hull extended their lead before half-time when Ryan Hall crossed from an icy angle. Another brilliant interplay left him little room but he made the most of it before Lewis’s counterattack hit the post for a third time.
Lewis’ poor kicking kept the Catalans in the game, but Minchella scored a fourth try just minutes into the second half. He capitalised on a mistake by the Dragons defence and fought his way through to goal, with Lewis scoring with the conversion attempt.
The fifth attempt followed not long after. Hull punished the Catalans’ loss of possession mercilessly by again quickly passing the ball out wide and this time it was Kelepi Tanginoa who benefited. Lewis missed again, keeping the Dragons’ hopes alive.
The contest was more or less over after an hour. Jez Litten broke through and found Dean Hadley, whose daring clearance found Hall ready to score his second try of the game. Lewis missed his kick again, but the floodgates opened.
Tanginoa took advantage of a gap in the Dragons’ defense and increased the lead to 30-4, but Lewis hit the post for a fourth time.
With three minutes to go, Niall Evalds decided the game with a clever kick from Tyrone May and Lewis finally managed to win the game with a second successful kick.
