Hull KR bounce back with big win over York

Hull KR winger Tom Davies reaches out with the ball in one hand as he dives towards the line under a challenge from a York Knight playerSWpix

Tom Davies had this acrobatic effort ruled out, but did score two of Hull KR's seven tries against York Knights

Chris Harby
BBC Sport England

Betfred Super League

Hull KR (22) 38

Tries: Davies 2, Lewis, Burgess, Batchelor, Broadbent, Martin Goals: Martin 5

York (6) 6

Tries: Bennison Goals: Hunter

Hull KR moved within four points of the Super League summit as they eased past struggling York Knights 38-6 at Craven Park.

Jon Bennison gave York a fourth-minute lead as they sought a first win away to the Robins since 1958.

But that was as good as it got for the Knights as Tom Davies, Mikey Lewis, Joe Burgess and James Batchelor sent the hosts into a 22-6 half-time lead.

Rovers misfired at times in a mixed display, but pulled further clear through Davies, Jack Broadbent and Rhyse Martin to bounce back from successive defeats in league and cup.

York caused one of the league's biggest-ever upsets on their Super League bow when they stunned the defending champions, but fortunes have since taken a more expected turn.

After losing three of their opening four Super League matches, the Robins move up to third after winning eight of their past nine.

In contrast, York have struggled to build on their dream start to life in the top flight, as a 10th defeat in 11 league outings leaves them two points and a place above basement side Huddersfield Giants.

It all started so well for the visitors when a short Robins goalline drop-out fell straight to Bennison, who darted back inside and under the posts.

But the hosts' response was swift as Lewis created space for Davies to sprint into the right corner.

Davies was denied a second moments later when his flying one-handed finish was ruled out by video referee Cameron Worsley for obstruction.

The Robins were far from their best but hit the front after 24 minutes when the ball was quickly shifted out to Lewis, who brushed off a challenge and dived over for his 15th Super League try of the season.

Powerhouse prop Tevita Pangai Junior made an instant impact on debut when his first carry off the bench gained ground before Lewis sent winger Burgess skipping away to the left corner to score.

York battled to prevent further damage before the break, but conceded again when Peta Hiku unselfishly teed up Batchelor to drop over the line.

A second acrobatic one-handed finish from Davies this time counted as the hosts extended their lead soon after the restart.

The Robins temporarily lost their spark when Lewis needed treatment after he was pulled down awkwardly on his knee before playing on.

But the impressive Tyrone May got the ball rolling again, breaking through a tackle and sending Broadbent under the sticks before Martin finished a flowing try from one edge to the other.

'What we didn't show is a team that's ruthless' - reaction

York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:

"We started brightly, we definitely had the intent, and for us it's about controlling those moments where we are on the front foot a little better.

"There were some parts where we did and other patches where we do need to get better, whether that's as individuals or as a collective.

"Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the opposition and say we got outplayed, and other times I thought we made life a lot harder for ourselves than we needed to.

"In the first half we came up with five or six yardage errors and if you invite that much pressure on against a team with as much quality and star power as what we played tonight it's going to take some defending."

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

"We defended our try line 33 times in the second half, 44 in total inside that 20 which is a lot, but what that tells you is we put ourselves under pressure.

"At the moment we show resilience to defend our line, but what we didn't show, and we're not there yet, is a team that's ruthless.

"So that's the work-on for us because there were some opportunities to go on with that game and we didn't, but the resilience that we showed to defend our line was pleasing.

"There were opportunities to be in a position to score more points, but we weren't because we kept turning the ball over, so we had to defend our try line."

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Hadley, Lawton, Amone, Martin, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Litten, Luckley, Dezaria, Pangai.

York: Mata'afa; Bennison, Buchanan, Wood, Galeano; Hunter, Harris; Martin, Inman, Vaughan, Field, Reynolds, Thompson.

Interchanges: Balmforth, Vuniyayawa, Va'a, Hingano.

Referee: James Vella.