JEKYLL and Hyde Saints are still seeking their first league win at Hull KR since 2007 following a 40-10 loss on Sunday.
Frustratingly inconsistent once again they were found wanting as both Craig Hall and Omari Caro bagged hat-tricks.
Ruthless against Wigan that tenacity seemed to be lacking in the second half as the Robins ran away with it.
But tries from Mark Percival and Mose Masoe in the first had given them a solid platform to work from – and gain that elusive win.
In fact, had passes stuck Saints could have gone in at half time leading instead of 14-10 down.
The second half brought 15 minutes of sustained pressure from Nathan Brown’s men, before Graeme Horne’s try forced open the floodgates.
Buoyed by that win over Wigan, Saints made one change from the side that grabbed two points at the DW – Jon Wilkin moving to half back for the injured Luke Walsh.
That saw Willie Manu in the second row and Josh Jones returning to the side on the bench.
Both sides began the game well and put high balls in for the respective wings and full backs to collect.
But a poor attacking set from Saints, deep inside their own half, saw the ball go to ground and Omari Caro pounce for the opening try.
From the restart Saints pushed the ball left and Mark Percival went fully 70 metres, dummying the full back for a classic effort.
He was wide with the extras and then his teammates had Paul Wellens to thank after Kris Welham nearly took advantage of Alex Walmsley’s mistake.
The Robins’ centre flew down the wing after picking up a loose ball only for the fullback to whack him into touch.
Rhys Lovegrove was then held up over the line after he ran over the defence.
It was a warning Saints didn’t heed though and on 23 minutes Caro grabbed his second.
The final pass was at least three yards forward but that didn’t excuse the way the Robins tore through the centre of the defence.
Saints were struggling to make yards out of their own area and when Mark Flanagan was caught in no man’s land, Hull made them pay.
On the last it was sent right and instead of clearing the lines, the ball found its way to Flash and his pass was intercepted by Craig Hall.
Burns with the extras.
Saints didn’t hang about and a blistering run by James Roby set up the space for Mose Masoe to plough over on a great line.
Percival inch perfect with the conversion.
Saints threatened again as the half ended and then had most of the play in the opening 15 minutes too.
Adam Swift broke through but couldn’t find a gap and then Saints couldn’t take advantage of an overlap on the right hand side.
Those errors ultimately came back to haunt them as on 55 minutes a lapse in concentration saw Graeme Horne increase Hull’s lead.
The second rower took a simple pass after a scrum and ghosted down the right hand side.
Caro added his third on the hour mark before Craig Hall made it safe.
And with the final few minutes remaining Greg Eden capped a great day for the hosts.
Match Summary:
Rovers:
Tries: Caro (3), Hall (3), Horne, Eden
Goals: Burns (4 from 8)
Saints:
Tries: Percival, Masoe
Goals: Percival (1 from 2)
Penalties:
Rovers: 4
Saints: 3
HT: 10-14
FT: 10-40
REF: James Child
ATT: 7,611
Teams:
Rovers:
1. Greg Eden; 24. Omari Caro, 3. Kris Welham, 5. David Hodgson, 19. Craig Hall; 6. Travis Burns, 7. Kris Keating; 16. Jason Netherton, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Michael Weyman, 15. Graeme Horne, 22. Rhys Lovegrove, 25. Aaron Ollett.
Subs: 11. Kevin Larroyer, 20. Jordan Cox, 21. Keal Carlile, 23. James Green.
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 12. Jon Wilkin; 27. Greg Richards, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 13. Willie Manu, 15. Mark Flanagan, 11. Sia Soliola,
Subs: 4. Josh Jones, 8. Mose Masoe, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 28. Luke Thompson.
