Lewis stars as nine-try leaders Hull KR rout Giants

Betfred Super League

Huddersfield Giants (4) 4

Tries: Flanagan Jr

Hull KR (16) 50

Mikey Lewis scored a hat-trick as Super League leaders Hull KR notched nine tries in an emphatic victory over struggling Huddersfield Giants.

Lewis bounced a tackle to free Oliver Gildart to open the scoring in the sixth minute but Rovers ‘ lead was quickly cut by a superb try by George Flanagan Jr from deep.

The Robins responded soon after, though, with Lewis crossing for the hosts ‘ second score before gaining 70 metres to set up recent signing Arthur Mourgue to score his first try for the club.

Rovers failed to let up in the second half as they dotted down six further tries without reply, with Lewis completing his treble and Jai Whitbread, Jez Litten, Sauaso Sue and Tom Davies also scoring tries.

It was always going to be a tough order for Huddersfield to end their poor start to the season against the table-toppers.

But if there was ever as big a reminder for Huddersfield’s player-turned-coach Luke Robinson of the huge task he faces, then it was this battering by Rovers and stand-off Lewis.

The England international had a field day at the John Smith’s Stadium, playing a key role in seven of the nine tries, the first of which came as he rose from a tackle and freed his arm under pressure, tip-passing in centre Gildart to begin the drubbing.

Lewis ‘ only blemish was failing to grab hold of the dummying Flanagan Jr for Giants to score their sole try of the afternoon.

The 23-year-old soon made amends, stepping inside the Giants half-back and showing his strength to ground the ball despite being spun around by Irish prop Harry Rushton.

Lewis then surged from deep for Peta Hiku to assist Mourgue’s maiden try in Rovers colours a couple of plays later.

After the interval, former Wakefield Trinity forward Whitbread crashed over from 10 yards, again thanks to Lewis, who produced a brilliant initial sidestep to break the line.

Just a few minutes later, the Lewis show continued as he kept his arm free from three defenders to free England colleague Litten to score the Robins ‘ fifth.

Lewis got his second with under 20 minutes to go, finishing off a deep, darting run from Frenchman Mourgue, not long after Sue had got his name on the scoresheet.

Hull’s number six finally got the hat-trick he was hunting for in the final 10 minutes. Gildart’s big line break and assist returned the favour to his team-mate.

Interchanges: Deakin, Burgess, Jack Bibby, Billington.

Hull KR: Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Broadbent, Lewis, May, Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Litten, Luckley, Whitbread, Tanginoa.