Hull KR gained their first league win of the season thanks to a convincing 23-4 victory over the struggling Catalans Dragons at KCOM Craven Park.
Rovers found themselves four points ahead early on when Ryan Shaw finished well in the right hand corner after the ball was moved quickly from the left.
In a half full of errors, it was Tim Sheen’s men who finally produced some composure around the ruck, as Mose Masoe crashed over from close-range, before Shaun Lunt caught the goal-line markers napping to help the home side into a 16-0 half time lead.
They extended the lead further early in the second half when Danny Tickle crashed onto the ball and muscled his way over the line on his debut.
The Dragons finally mustered a score on the three-quarter mark of the game when David Mead was on hand to finish off in the corner following a determined break-away from Greg Bird.
Nevertheless, Steve McNamara’s men produced an error-ridden display similar to that of their opening round defeat to Widnes, and KR half-back Chris Atkin added a drop goal in the dying stages to rub salt into the wounds of their ill-disciplined French opponents.
Dragons Inconsistency A Real Worry
Ex-England boss Steve McNamara said after their defeat to St Helens that they were far better than their first round offering. However, it seems that a return to the UK has allowed Catalans to return to the side which were swept aside so emphatically at the Select Security Stadium.
There is only so long that the Dragons can keep losing before questions start getting ask about both the recruitment of players and the desire shown, even by those who have been at the club for many years.
McNamara said that he can’t understand how his team can fluctuate so dramatically between good and bad performances – he will have to find a quick remedy otherwise memories of last years Million Pound Game might become reality in a few months time.
KR Fully Deserve Commanding Win
These are Hull KR’s first points since their return to the top-flight at the start of the season and it almost feels like a weight has been lifted.
At the end of the day, points equal prizes- no matter how hard Rovers fought last week against a distinctly average Leeds side, they still failed to make any dent on the league table.
Fast forward seven days and the Craven Park faithful can enjoy a hard-earned two points.
It may not be as flashy as they may have wanted but Tim Sheens will not care. As long as his side turns this win into a slight bit of momentum, the ex-Australian coach will know that anything could be possible for his boys this year.
Man Of The Match- Chris Atkin
Chris Atkin got a lot of plaudits last week for the manner in which he guided Rovers around the park, causing havoc with his kicks and orchestrating plays with his passing, albeit in vain.
Not many would’ve been aware of the ex-Swinton playmaker prior to this season, but a few more performances like this, characterised by his game-management and level-headedness in the heat of the battle, could ensure that he is noticed on a far bigger stage.
THE RESULT
Hull KR 23
Tries: Shaw, Mosoe, Lunt, Tickle
Goals: Shaw 3/5
Drop Goals: Atkin
Catalans 4
Tries: Mead
Goals: n/a
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR: Dagger, Shaw, Salter, Minns, Carney, McGuire, Atkin, Jewitt, Lee, Mulhern, Blair, Clarkson, Kavanagh.
Subs: Lunt, Walne, Masoe, Tickle.
Catalans Dragons: Mead, Broughton, Thornley, Wiliame, Tierney, Albert, Walsh, Casty, Aiton, Simon, Garcia, Bird, Baitieri.
Subs: Bousquet, Duport, Margalet, Da Costa.
Referee: Mr J. Child
