HULL KR 38 YORK KNIGHTS 6
DAVE CRAVEN, Sewell Group Craven Park, Friday

TOM Davies scored two tries, Tyrone May oozed class and Hull KR fans found a potential new hero as they swept past York Knights.

It seems a long time ago since York defeated the champions in their first-ever Super League game back in February.

They have won just twice in their following 13 games, with the Robins exacting revenge in ruthless fashion here.

Winger Davies could have bagged four tries – he had two chalked off – as he reached 11 for the season while silky half-back May showed the sort of form that has made him a Man of Steel contender as he continually picked apart their sorry opponents.

But it was the 24-minute cameo appearance of debutant Tevita Pangai Jr that perhaps cheered Rovers fans most with a wonderful display off the bench as they moved up to third spot.

The giant former Tonga forward, 30, has had a chequered career at times.

But he can certainly play when in the mood as demonstrated by a series of bulldozing carries and splendid offloads that left the likes of Jez Litten and Jack Broadbent licking their lips.

The ex-New South Wales State of Origin enforcer has had to patiently wait four weeks to make his bow but he seized his chance as he bids to earn a deal for 2027.

Rovers boss Willie Peters lost centre Oliver Gildart to a first half HIA and second-row James Batchelor also departed late on for an assessment following an incident that was put on report.

However, his side were never in danger of losing against a club who haven’t won at Rovers since Boxing Day 1958.

That said, they actually went behind after just five minutes when Jon Bennison scored a bizarre try.

Mikey Lewis’ short, hanging dropout just managed to reach the 10 metre line.

But Bennison raced onto it, collected on the full and then weaved the short distance past the England star to cross between the posts.

Cody Hunter improved and, for the first quarter, his side were competitive.

However, as has become the trend, simple mistakes cost them dearly.

Hooker Tom Inman spilled inexplicably when passing out of dummy-half. And from the resultant scrum, Rovers executed a classy move from 30 metres out, Litten picking up at the back, finding May before Lewis wrapped around and got Davies racing for the line.

Next, May got Lewis – strangely running at left centre – into enough space to slip Sam Wood’s tackle and get KR’s second try in the 23rd minute.

Ex-Hull FC loose forward Jordan Thompson finding himself with the ball on halfway on the last tackle gifted KR more possession.

And after Pangai Jr’s first big carry got them moving, Lewis’ cut-out pass found Joe Burgess with a try.

Ata Hingano did force a dropout for York – only for his side to fail to collect. And the frustrations continued.

When Pangai Jr charged close, May found Peta Hiku whose brilliant footwork saw him slice the York defence and Batchelor benefitted with the try for a 22-6 interval lead.

Davies, Broadbent and Rhyse Martin, who also booted five goals, all scored second half tries – each time after soft York errors.

GAMESTAR: Tyrone May delivered another masterclass; a joy to watch.

GAMEBREAKER: Once Joe Burgess crossed for KR’s third try, this York side looked beaten.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: We love a ball-handling forward: all hail the offloading king Tevita Pangai Jr.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Tyrone May (Hull KR)
2 pts Tevita Pangai Jr (Hull KR)
1 pt Tom Davies (Hull KR)

MATCHFACTS

ROBINS
19 Jack Broadbent
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
4 Oliver Gildart
5 Joe Burgess
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
11 Dean Hadley
19 Karl Lawton
10 Tom Amone
17 Rhyse Martin
12 James Batchelor
13 Elliot Minchella
Subs (all used)
9 Jez Litten
15 Sam Luckley
20 Jordan Dezaria
35 Tevita Pangai Jr (D)
18th man (not used)
16 Jai Whitbread
Also in 21-man squad
21 Noah Booth
22 Bill Leyland
34 Ryan Hampshire

Tries: Davies (10, 43), Lewis (23), Burgess (28), Batchelor (37), Broadbent (58), Martin (65)
Goals: Martin 5/7

KNIGHTS
1 Toa Mata’afa
23 Jon Bennison
21 Kieran Buchanan
4 Sam Wood
5 Scott Galeano
37 Cody Hunter
7 Liam Harris
8 Jack Martin
48 Tom Inman
10 Paul Vaughan
20 Oli Field
30 Harvey Reynolds
13 Jordan Thompson
Subs (all used)
6 Ata Hingano
14 Denive Balmforth
15 Xavier Va’a
31 King Vuniyayawa
18th man (not used)
24 Will Dagger
Also in 20-man squad
17 Kieran Hudson
46 David Nofoaluma

Tries: Bennison (5)
Goals: Hunter 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 10-6, 16-6, 22-6; 26-6, 32-6, 38-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Robins: Tyrone May; Knights: Toa Mata’afa

Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 22-6
Referee: James Vella