Hull Kingston Rovers roared back to the top of Super League with a dominant 36-4 win against Catalans Dragons at Elland Road's Magic Weekend, as Elliot Minchella, Ryan Hall and Kelepi Tanginoa all bagged two tries apiece.
There were also a try for impressive Peta Hiku and a late one for Niall Evalds as Rovers bagged eight in total, taking revenge against Catalans, who had beaten them twice this season before this brilliant showing from Willie Peters' men. They have now beaten every other club in Super League this year, which is a huge statement. Although there was a biting allegation, with Mikey Lewis allegedly on the receiving end, as tempers boiled over in the second half, and Lewis struggled with his kicking, it was an afternoon to enjoy for Peters' high flyers.
As well as the attacking excellence, it was another impressive defensive display by the Robins, and a hard-working effort by the forwards. The result confirmed a play-off place for Hull KR but their aspirations are much higher than that - and they showed why here. The manner of this win, coming after what they did against Warrington recently, shows just how seriously they should be taken.
The lead had only been 8-4 at half-time as Rovers edged a high-quality half in which completion rates were high. But KR ripped apart the French club in the second half while often staying impressively solid.
It was hard-fought in the opening stages although Hull KR would have been frustrated to give away a couple of early penalties. Rovers soon had a moment of threat when Oliver Gildart was stopped short by Reimis Smith. But Catalans were also causing some problems too then and Theo Fages tested them with a kick that Ryan Hall shepherded out, leading to a drop-out forced by Steve McNamara's men, which they did not capitalise on.
Rovers had not threatened as much at that point as they would have wanted but took their first big chance with a move from the right flank inside, with Mikey Lewis passing to Jai Whitbread who teed up Elliot Minchella to barge his way over. Lewis' kick was one you would have fancied him to nail but it struck an upright.
Catalans quickly hit back though as decent hands ended in Bayley Sironen going over in the left-hand corner - but Arthur Mourgue's kick also hit a post, although it was a trickier attempt. McNamara's men deserved credit for that reaction - but it was followed by a superb response by Rovers too, as they impressively shifted the ball wide to the right with Niall Evalds finding Peta Hiku who dummied then went over, but Lewis again missed the kick, so Rovers led 8-4.
Rovers stretched their lead just before the break as James Batchelor's power set up another slick passing move that finished in Oliver Gildart picking out Ryan Hall who bulldozed his way over for the Robins' third try. Lewis was frustrated again with the kick, again striking a post. But it had been a satisfying half for the Robins overall, with the quality relatively high.
The question was whether Rovers would sustain it in the second period and they got off to a flying start as Matt Parcell teed up Minchella, who breezed through a gap after smart footwork, leaving Julian Bousquet exposed, and this time Lewis added the easy extra points.
A blow happened when Gildart went off for a HIA after he ran into KR-bound Tom Davies but there appeared to be no malice in the incident. But the dominance went on for Peters' men with a high kick from Tyrone May causing the initial headache for Catalans - then a sweeping move ended in Lewis feeding Kelepi Tanginoa for a simple finish, although the Hull-born half-back missed the kick again.
Rovers were getting a reaction from Catalans, whose players reacted angrily after ferocious defensive work by James Batchelor and Jez Litten. During that melee, there were suggestions that Lewis had been bitten.
On the pitch, Peters' men continued to dazzle though as Hiku and Jez Litten produced impressive bursts then Dean Hadley flung out a great ball for Hall to finish for his second try. And Tanginoa also had a second try when he charged over after Minchella and May had delivered nice passes inside - but there was more Lewis frustration with the boot. At the end though, a May kick caused more trouble for Catalans and Rovers profited when Evalds went over for the eighth try. And this time Lewis added the extras and shook his fists.
Hull KR: 2 Niall Evalds, 35 Joe Burgess, 1 Peta Hiku, 4 Oliver Gildart, 5 Ryan Hall, 27 Tyrone May, 7 Mikey Lewis, 8 Jesse Sue, 14 Matt Parcell, 16 Jai Whitbread, 11 Dean Hadley, 12 James Batchelor, 13 Elliot Minchella. Subs: 9 Jez Litten, 15 Sam Luckley, 17 Matty Storton, 20 Kelepi Tanginoa.
Catalans Dragons: 17 Cesar Rouge, 2 Tom Davies, 3 Arthur Romano, 34 Reimis Smith, 21 Matt Ikuvalu, 1 Arthur Mourgue, 7 Theo Fages, 16 Romain Navarrete, 14 Alrix Da Costa, 23 Jordan Dezaria, 13 Benjamin Garcia, 15 Bayley Sironen, 10 Julian Bousquet. Subs: 12 Paul Seguier, 20 Chris Satae, 28 Franck Maria, 33 Jarrod Wallace.
Scorers: Hull KR tries: Minchella (2), Hiku, Hall (2), Tanginoa (2), Evalds. Goals: Lewis 2/8.
Catalans Dragons tries: Sironen. Goals Mourgue 0/1.
Scoring sequence: 0-4, 4-4, 4-8, 4-12, HT, 4-18, 4-22. 4-26, 4-30, 4-36.
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