Feeble Robins bow out of Cup with barely a whimper
ROVERS FLUFF LINES ON SEMI-FINAL STAGE
Hull KR bowed out of the 2022 Challenge Cup with an uninspiring 25-4 defeat to Huddersfield Giants, who will play Wigan Warriors in the final in three weeks time.
Tony Smith made four changes to the side that lost to Leeds last week, with Will Dagger, Shaun Kennydowall, Kane Linnett and Jez Litten all returning for the Robins.
After a shaky start to the game for Rovers, which included some sloppy errors and poor decision making, it was Huddersfield who opened the scoring after Josh Jones sliced through some poor KR defence. After that, things went from bad to worse for Rovers as Kane Linnett only lasted 15 minutes before being replaced by Jez Litten.
Innes Senior then added some salt into the wounds of Hull KR when the winger raced 100m down the field to double the lead for Ian
Watson’s side after a Jordan Abdull kick went into the hands of the Giants. Rovers were masters of their own downfall in the first half, with Jordan Abdull and Ben Crooks blowing two golden opportunities close to the Giants’ line.
Rovers’ attack was clueless during the first 40 and had the chance to reduce the deficit just before the hooter, but it was to no avail, as the Robins trailed 12-0 at the interval.
Rovers needed to start the second half on the front foot.
Still, any form of a comeback was cut short just two minutes into the second 40, as some questionable defending from Rovers let Mcgillvary coast through some scrambling efforts to make it 18-0.
Oliver Wilson slotted an extra two points making it a four-score game after persistent penalties against Rovers.
Owen Trout got his name on the scoresheet next after crashing over from short range, but in all honesty, he didn’t have much to do against a tired-looking middle of Hull KR.
Theo Fages added insult to injury with a drop-goal on 61 minutes.
Huddersfield bossed all aspects of the contest and deserved the win, with Rovers scoring a concertation try at the end from Kenny-dowall,.
Up next, a trip to Castleford awaits Tony Smith’s men, whose focus now turns solely towards the Super League, with their cup dream over for another year.