SAINTS secured their first league win at Hull KR since 2007 thanks to a dominant second half performance.
Down 16-10 at half time they rallied and led by the superb James Roby won 31-22.
Tries from Matty Dawson, Jon Wilkin and Atelea Vea made the difference but the contribution of the mercurial number 9 made the biggest impact.
He was sensational; lifting the pack and his teammates as he opened up the Robins down the middle.
In the first half, after both sides traded long kicks on their opening sets, Saints broke the deadlock thanks to excellent defence from Alex Walmsley and the opportunism of Adam Swift.
The big prop forced an error in his own 20 and within seconds the loose ball was picked up by Swift who went 60 metres before turning it inside to the returning Shannon McDonnell.
In the tenth minute the Robins replied – Ben Cockayne taking advantage from a knock on that followed his own stabbed kick.
Saints rallied and Luke Walsh’s 40:20 gave them great field position in the 15th minute.
And when Burns let Jon Wilkin go over the line everyone thought the visitors were back ahead.
But the score was denied for a knock on.
It seemed a little harsh but the Robins’ response was anything but.
A flowing move involving Albert Kelly and Dane Tilse saw Maurice Blair fly over in the corner to give them the lead.
Saints came back and threatened on two separate occasions before they scored.
Jordan Turner put in a cracking run, followed by Tasi and then Walsh found Makinson in the corner with a pinpoint kick.
But that parity was only short-lived as James Green replied moments later following another error from Saints.
Burns and Green went to the the bin for fighting on 35 minutes and with both sides down to 12, Ryan Shaw had one chalked off as he went over in the corner.
In the second half, six points down, Saints weathered a superb Blair run before airing the ball and forcing a drop out thanks to some enterprising play from Turner,
And seconds later, they scored.
Two drives took the ball right with left space on the left – and Dawson exploited it to aplomb.
On 54 minutes, Saints won a drop out and looked likely to score again – but they had to settle for two points after KR were penalised for interference.
But the momentum paid dividends as more slick handling play saw Jon Wilkin caught on a superb line moments later.
Saints were well on top and their dominance was underlined when Walsh’s kick to the corner was tipped back by Makinson into the welcoming arms of Atelea Vea.
Walsh tagged on a penalty late on before a drop goal from his boot sealed the win.
Ryan Shaw tagging on a consolation try at the death.
Match Summary:
Hull KR:
Tries: Cockayne, Blair, Green, Shaw
Goals: Shaw (2 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: McDonnell, Makinson, Dawson, Wilkin, Vea
Goals: Walsh (5 from 7)
Drop: Walsh
Penalties:
Hull KR: 5
Saints: 6
HT: 10-16
FT: 31-22
REF: Phil Bentham
ATT: TBC
Teams:
Hull KR:
18. Ben Cockayne; 1. Ken Sio, 3. Liam Salter, 4. Iain Thornley, 23. Ryan Shaw; 11. Maurice Blair, 7. Albert Kelly; 8. Adam Walker, 24. George Lawler, 17. Dane Tilse, 12. Graeme Horne, 13. Chris Clarkson, 10. Mitch Allgood.
Subs: 16. James Green, 20. James Greenwood, 25. Stephen Holker, 26. Robbie Mulhern.
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 21. Matty Dawson, 5. Adam Swift; 3. Jordan Turner, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 6. Travis Burns, 16. Andre Savelio, 11. Atelea Vea, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 14. Lama Tasi, 17. Luke Thompson.
