Hull KR wear down St Helens to go six points clear

Betfred Super League

Hull KR (2) 12

Tries: Burgess Goals: Martin 4

St Helens (2) 8

Tries: Cross Goals: Percival 2

Hull KR moved six points clear at the top of Super League with a hard-fought 12-8 win over in-form St Helens at Craven Park.

Both defences were on top in a fiercely fought first half littered with injury stoppages but only four points as Mark Percival's penalty levelled the score after Rhyse Martin had booted the hosts ahead.

Three further Martin penalties took Rovers six clear heading into the final quarter as Saints finally began to wilt.

Mikey Lewis' brilliant flat pass sent Joe Burgess in at the left corner to make it 12-2 which proved enough despite a late Deon Cross try for Saints.

Rovers bounced back from their heaviest defeat of the season at Leeds Rhinos last weekend with the victory, and inflicted just a second defeat in 11 matches for fourth-placed Saints.

The visitors suffered a huge blow after just eight minutes when loose forward Morgan Knowles was forced off with a head injury after a high shot which earned Martin 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

The home fans breathed a sigh of relief moments later when half-back Lewis returned to the field after limping off, and George Delaney, on for Knowles, could have seen worse than a yellow card after putting his shoulder into Eribe Doro's head.

Martin was stopped inches short and James Batchelor knocked on close to the line as Rovers looked to exploit their man advantage, but fine scramble defence denied them in a breathless and scoreless opening half-hour.

Martin nudged the hosts ahead after Joe Batchelor was punished for an off-the-ball hit on Jez Litten, yet Saints, under the cosh for long periods, went in level through Percival when Litten was pinged for ruck interference.

Joe Batchelor's shoulder put the visitors behind for a second time soon after the restart when he illegally blocked Lewis from following up his chip and chase and Martin kicked a simple penalty.

Tom Davies was denied the opening try after Peta Hiku stuck a foot in touch, but Rovers ground their way to a six-point lead with two quick penalties, the second conceded by Delaney, who was forced to hold on after Lewis cut loose.

Showing signs of wear and tear, the visitors finally buckled, with Lewis unsurprisingly the man to unpick the lock in the 67th minute, setting up field position with a brilliant 40-20 kick before supplying the try assist.

Saints set up a nervy finale with a try out of nowhere when Cross chased down Jack Welsby's kick ahead, but the hosts held on for a fifth successive win over the Saints and a third of the season.

Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Broadbent, Burgess; Lewis, May; Hadley, Litten, Whitbread, Batchelor, Martin, Minchella.

Interchanges: Luckley, Tanginoa, Doro, Leyland.

St Helens: Welsby; Sailor, Robertson, Percival, Cross; Lomax, Mbye; Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles.

Interchanges: Batchelor, Paasi, Delaney, Burns.

Referee: Chris Kendall.