One of the best compliments for Hal KR right now is that Willie Peters’ team not only consistently shows up in these critical matches, but is also learning to treat them like the top teams do.
As we approached halftime here in York, it was hard to ignore the reality. The Dragons put up a strong fight to edge ahead 12-10, but at that moment, one couldn’t help but wonder if Robin might be facing an upset.
Yet, there’s something that they’ve learned over the years on their path to becoming a powerhouse in the Super League: they know how to respond to the challenges thrown their way. This match highlighted that lesson profoundly, as they rolled on to score 26 unanswered points.
Of course, there’s still a major obstacle left to overcome. These are significant challenges. For four decades, Hull KR fans have awaited a major trophy, but now it feels closer than ever. They’ve reached three of the five major finals in League and Cup. Anyone up against them at Wembley next month will certainly be the favorite to finally end that wait.
The hardest game to win is the one that proves you belong. Most accolades feel just within reach, but Robbins has shown they truly deserve to be in the spotlight, playing in front of nearly 10,000 York fans.
With each opportunity that arises, they demonstrate their ability to handle these moments. Peters remarked, “We believe this team will create a legacy over the next decade, and we hope that leads to winning trophies.”
The Catalans might have thought they could upset the odds when they took an early lead here, thanks to tries from Reimis Smith and Luke Keary. However, Mikey Lewis sparked a response to help Hull KR regain control following two tries from James Batcheller that had earlier pushed them to a 10-0 deficit.
In the second half, the Dragons faltered, conceding another 20 points without a reply. Coach Steve McNamara expressed his frustration towards the officials, noting they hadn’t received a single penalty all afternoon. “I’m furious,” he said.
“Hal KR was the best team and deserved to win,” he continued. “But you can dominate for 80 minutes without getting a penalty or a restart? That’s almost unbelievable. How does that happen?”
Despite his complaints, McNamara acknowledged that the better team triumphed. The Rovers controlled much of the second half, with Jack Broadbent extending their lead through a weakened Dragons defense, causing the floodgates to open.
Broadbent scored again just five minutes later, and by the time Joe Burgess completed the scoring in the final moments, the outcome had long been settled. This was another significant day for the team, as bigger challenges await them on the horizon.
