Hull KR go fourth with huge win at troubled Tigers

Betfred Super League

Castleford (0) 0

Hull KR (10) 44

Tries: Davies 2, May 2, Litten, Burgess, Hiku, Martin

Goals: Martin 5, Hampshire

Hull KR ran in six second-half tries to rise to fourth in Super League and condemn Castleford Tigers to defeat in their first match without head coach Ryan Carr at OneBore Stadium.

Jez Litten’s skilful flourish and Tom Davies’ impressive finish put the reigning champions 10-0 ahead at the break, having run 235 metres more than their opponents by that point.

Tyrone May scored either side of tries by Joe Burgess and Peta Hiku during the second half before Davies and Rhyse Martin completed a commanding win for Willie Peters’ team.

Hull KR leapfrogged Warrington Wolves, who visit second-bottom Bradford Bulls on Saturday, while Castleford’s 15th defeat of the campaign leaves them 11th.

Castleford have been led by director of rugby Chris Chester and coaches Rob Nickolay and Scott Murrell since Carr’s absence for “personal reasons” was announced on Thursday.

A visit from the defending champions would not have been Castleford’s ideal way to end a tumultuous week and the considerable underdogs showed spirit during the first period against a Hull KR side who were initially functional rather than flowing.

Hooker Litten collected his own grubber kick to open the scoring in a flash of individual brilliance before Castleford prop Joe Stimson’s masterful tackle denied Dean Hadley a near-certain try.

Davies made amends by narrowly evading Krystian Mapapalangi’s challenge to score as part of a scrappy half that ended with confusion when a long video review denied Jai Whitbread a try because May’s kick was knocked forward.

Elliot Minchella, who was making his 300th career appearance, appeared deep in conversation at half-time with referee Marcus Griffiths, who awarded a penalty for a challenge by Burgess on Castleford’s Jordan Lane, but there was less contention over the visitors’ dominance after the break.

May charged clear five minutes after the restart and Burgess cut out a ball to Louis Senior to hurtle 90 metres as part of a set of four tries in 15 minutes for Hull KR.

Hiku tricked his way past Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e from 30 metres out, May charged down a kick to go over again, and Davies collected Hiku’s pass to complete a superb move launched by a kick from May.

Martin, who replaced Oli Gildart at half-time, added five of Hull KR’s six goals and a try when the forward capitalised on Burgess’ grubber kick to cap a memorable display.

With seventh-placed St Helens four points behind them following their home defeat by Hull FC on Thursday, Hull KR are chasing a four-point gap on Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity, who have played a game more.

Jack Brown made his 100th Super League appearance against his former side for Castleford, who could be overtaken by the second-bottom Bradford on Saturday.

‘We seem to just crumble’ – reaction

Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester told BBC Radio Leeds:

“We did well in that first 40 minutes and were unlucky not to get that try just before half-time.

“I’m really disappointed with the second half. That’s been us for the last 20-odd weeks.

“We showed in parts that we can play some good stuff and are a good team. But with a little bit of adversity and a bounce of a ball going against us, we seem to just crumble.

“It’s been a tough week for the guys and I know they’re trying. There were spells when we looked a better team in that first 10–15 minutes, but we’re just not doing it consistently well enough for 80 minutes.”

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

“I’m really happy with the second half. It was a very professional performance.

“Getting that zero is something we pride ourselves in. We haven’t done that too often this year, so I’m really pleased with that.

“I want to pay tribute to our captain [Elliot Minchella]. He’s had to do it the hard way and that’s what has made him the player he is.

“Tonight was a really positive performance. [Over] these last three games, he’s back to how I know he can play.”

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e; Senior, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Sharpe; Asi, Windley; Dupree, Hood, Stimson, Lane, Hirst, Brown.

Interchanges: Atoni, Lawler, Hall, Robb.

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Hampshire, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Luckley, Martin, Lawton, Amone.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.