Hull KR have beaten Bradford Bulls in round nine of Super League, securing a 48-12 victory.
Mikey Lewis crossed for four of those eight scores, as the half-back was on top form in the Robins’s first game at Odsal Stadium since 2017.
Tyrone May, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent and Rhyse Martin bagged the other four, with Martin ending the game with a 100% success rate from the tee.
The Bulls, who were heavily depleted through injury, scored twice in the first half through Brandon Douglas and Greg Eden, but couldn’t cross the whitewash in the second half in what is their fourth defeat in a row.
From a key man’s absence to Lewis’ efforts, here are the biggest talking points to come from the game.
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Bradford Bulls v Hull KR talking points
Comfortable, but far from perfect:
KR stormed to a 24-0 lead thanks to four tries in the opening 15 minutes, however for the rest of the first half they couldn’t continue that same dominance.
Errors and lapses in concentration saw the Bulls back into the game, as Haggerty’s men not only started to build field position but crossed for two tries, bringing themselves back into the contest.
Peters will be less than pleased with how the second quarter of the game went, and will have hoped that that same attacking prowess continued for the remainder of the 40.
The same can be said for the second half, and whilst the Robins didn’t make as many errors, the away side could have been that little bit more dominant and could have really put Bradford to the sword.
Magic Mikey:
Four tries for the 2024 Man of Steel saw Lewis have probably his best performance of the season. Being in support of Elliot Minchella for his first score, the stand-off partnered well with Tyrone May to cross for tries two and three.
His final score saw him fool the defence with a step before then crashing through two Bulls defenders to get over the line.
Lewis’ try tally is now up to nine for the season, whilst his assist tally will have improved as well, with a sublime little kick being enough to see May over for a try himself in the first half.
The England international gets all the credit, but Hull KR would be nowhere near as successful if May, and full-back Jack Broadbent, weren’t as brilliant in their roles.
Bradford don’t give up:
With 13 players in the treatment room and plenty of players in the side who are new, or still adapting, to Super League, the home side can’t be faulted for their efforts in this game.
Their tactical output and clinicalness in attack needs improving, but some of that can be put down to the fact a number of players are playing out of position or are new to the squad.
Winning field position more times than many thought they would before the game, the Bulls gave KR a tougher test than was expected, and Haggerty can be very proud of his side’s efforts this afternoon.
Joe Burgess absence:
Eyeborws were raised when England international Joe Burgess was omitted from today’s line-up, especailly given no injury had been reported.
Noah Booth played in his place on the left wing, and he was partnered with another stand-in, Rhyse Martin, who slotted in the three-quarters in place of Oliver Gildart.
Peters spoke in the week about how some players could be rested given such a tiring start to the season for the Robins, and it is believed that Burgess is a rotation change as opposed to an injury.
