Image source, SWPixImage caption, Joe Burgess scored three tries in an excellent display on the left wing
ByMatthew CresswellBBC Sport England- Published27 March 2026, 21:58 GMT
- 64 Comments
Betfred Super League
Hull KR (30) 52
Tries: Burgess 3, Lewis 3, Litten, Batchelor, Whitbread Goals: Lewis 8
St Helens (0) 10
Tries: Dagnall, Wright Goals: Hastings
Nine-try reigning champions Hull KR celebrated Super League's 30th birthday weekend in style by hammering St Helens 52-10 at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Last year's treble winners ran riot in the first half, scoring five unanswered tries before the break and adding another four in the second period to kick-start their title defence following three defeats in their first four Super League matches.
Hat-tricks from Joe Burgess and Mikey Lewis, plus one try each from Jez Litten, James Batchelor and Jai Whitbread, helped the home side bounce back from their recent reverses in a terrific return to form.
The Robins were far too good for a St Helens side who suffered a first defeat in five Super League games, putting a pin in their good start under new head coach Paul Rowley.
No Peters statement - but a statement on the field
Prior to the game, during his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Robins head coach Willie Peters did little to defuse ongoing speculation he will be leaving the club at the end of the season to return to his native Australia.
"It's not for me to put statements out, the club will do that in time but my whole focus is hopefully getting a win tonight - we'll see what the club say," Peters said.
While Rovers are yet to put a statement out about Peters' future, they certainly put a statement out on the field, putting their stuttering start to the season firmly behind them by brushing the stunned Saints aside.
A knock on from Saints' George Delaney mere seconds into the match set the tone, and on the Robins' first sight of the line, Lewis' kick to the corner was claimed confidently by Burgess to dot down inside the opening two minutes.
Burgess had another try disallowed following a television match official review but the Robins did get their second moments later when Oliver Gildart's grubber kick found Lewis who weaved past three St Helens defenders before extending over and, by the time he had kicked the extras, Hull KR were 10 points up after 12 minutes.
Saints' David Klemmer was penalised for a late shot on Elliott Minshella and Lewis knocked over two more points before a brilliant line break from Tyrone May allowed the centre to find Litten on his inside in support to dive over to the right of the sticks.
The hosts put their party hats on moments after kick-off when quick hands from Lewis found Burgess, who raced to the line before selling a dummy to Saints' Tristan Sailor and diving over for his second try with ease.
Lewis then got his second - again on the left edge - combining with Whitbread to crash over as Hull KR raced into a 30-point lead at the hooter.
Image source, SWPixImage caption, Mikey Lewis scored a hat-trick for Hull KR in the hammering of St Helens
Saints got on the board less than two minutes after the restart when Noah Stephens bumped off Lewis before finding Owen Dagnall on the right wing and he weaved inside to stretch over the whitewash.
Burgess then completed his hat-trick as Hull KR exposed the right side of St Helens' defence once more, racing into acres of room to dive over and end any hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Lewis achieved the same feat moments later, finding another gap on the left edge to dart through and weave past Sailor to claim his own fabulous treble.
More sloppy play from Saints allowed Batchelor to claim Hull KR's eighth try of the night when he capitalised on a loose ball to dot down under the sticks.
Whitbread powered over after Burgess exposed Saints' defence down the wing once more as the rampant Robins put 50 on the board before Shane Wright grabbed a consolation try by dotting down in front of the visiting supporters.
'Close to an 80-minute performance' - reaction
Hull KR boss Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:
"Very pleased. Obviously it's great to be back at home in front of our fans - I think it's been 174 days since we played a Super League game here. It's been a difficult start for the players, but no excuses here, now it's time to get going.
"When we have a defensive mindset like that we are difficult to beat and we have to continue like that.
"I thought it was close enough to an 80-minute performance. Really happy with that left side and the way we attacked."
On his immediate future:
"The club will look to do it in time [make an announcement].
"There will be some announcements coming but it's certainly not going to come from me. Let's just wait and see what the weekend brings because I want to move forward really quickly and it's important that it's done the right way.
"The people above me will sort that out."
Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.
Interchanges: Luckley, Whitbread, Brown, Booth.
St Helens: Robertson; Dagnall, Percival, Cross, Murphy; Sailor, Hastings; Klemmer, Wingfield, Delaney, Wright, Whitley, Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Clark, Paasi, Stephens, Davies.
Referee: Liam Moore.
