Leaders Hull KR hammer stuttering St Helens

Betfred Super League

Hull KR (28) 34

Tries: Minchella, Hiku, Lewis, and Broadbent.

St. Helens (4) 4

Hull KR defeated a struggling St. Helens side to advance to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley next week.

With a 28-4 lead at the break, the hosts were cruising on thanks to Peta Hiku, Mikey Lewis, and Elliot Minchella’s finishes, Jack Broadbent scored twice and Mikey Lewis added two tries.

After the break, Lewis Murphy, who had already scored Saints’ only try in the opening half, had his acrobatic effort blocked just before Lewis went in for his second of the night at the other end.

Rovers are well-positioned for their cup decider in London next Saturday when they face Warrington Wolves, who have won a record 10 Super League titles since 2000.

After just six minutes, Kelepi Tanginoa scored the game’s opening try from close range to Broadbent.

Alex Walmsley, a talismanic prop, made his 300th appearance for St. Helens, which was frustrating and bloody.

Before Hiku stormed in for Rovers’ second try of the night, the former England and Great Britain international was taken with him as he attempted to touch down, his head was bandaged, and then minutes later he was held up over the line after taking a number of defenders with him.

St. Helens’ response, however, was only delayed by a second due to Jonny Lomax’s partnership with Murphy, who soared over the whitewash to finish.

Dean Cross was then sin-binned for a high tackle on Arthur Mourgue, but Broadbent was back at their best when Jez Litten scored a neatly threaded kick for his second try.

Before the England half-back kicked and collected just before half-time to set Minchella up for the host’s fifth score, Lewis immediately followed that up with a fierce effort.

The first 40 minutes of St. Helens, which also lost full-back Jack Welsby due to an apparent knee injury, were played in a deft manner.

Murphy attempted to reduce the margin after the break, but the television match official ruled out his injury-plagued finish in the corner.

Luckley, Brown, Doro, and Leyland are their replacements.

Welsby, Sailor, Percival, Cross, Murphy, Lomax, Whitby, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles, and others.

Mbye, Pa’asi, Delaney, and Robertson are their replacements.

Sin-bin: Cross (21 mins)