Super League

St Helens v Hull KR verdict as Willie Peters’ Robins hit Super League summit

by
Will Jackson
March 7, 2025

Hull KR moved to the top of the Super League table as they edged out St Helens 20-10 in Merseyside on Friday night.

Here’s our verdict.

Action

St Helens and Hull KR are two sides that can expect to be up at the top end of the table come the end of the season and this one was played like a play-off game. It was intense as it was entertaining with the two sides testing themselves and their early credentials at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Ultimately it was KR who came out on top with the Robins showing the grit and determination that got them to the Grand Final last season.

Willie Peters’ side took the lead through the returning Mikey Lewis, who saw Tyrone May’s cross-field kick patted down into his path and made no mistake on the back of some huge defensive efforts from the Robins.

Saints hit back as Jack Welsby claimed yet another assist, slipping a kick through the line for Curtis Sironen to run onto and touch down.
Tom Davies ensured KR went in at the break with a lead, though, with a typically acrobatic finish in the corner.

The Robins found breathing space at the start of the second half as Oliver Gildart touched down twice to help Rovers double their points tally in the space of just a few minutes. The first came from a Lewis kick that was caught and moved onto Gildart. Burgess set up the second one, too, making the most of a fine cut out pass from Kelepi Tanginoa to charge down the wing before looking inside for the wide open Gildart.

Jack Welsby scored late on for the Saints, but there was no famous come back for the home side, who suffered their first defeat of the season.

Star man

Mikey Lewis. Returning to action following the ankle injury he picked up in round two, Lewis got himself on the scoresheet early and showed glimpses of his class in the toughest test Rovers have had this season so far.

Good day for

Hull KR. The Robins weren’t firing on all cylinders before the clash at the Totally Wicked Stadium, but they turned up the ante on Merseyside and with four games played they are sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Bad day for

Paul Wellens. Saints had it all their own way in the opening three rounds, this was a big test for them and while they had their moments, they fell short. Wellens will be hoping his side can learn from it.

Bigger picture

Rovers showed what they’re all about at the Totally Wicked Stadium and it’s clear they will take some stopping. It’s only round four but the win over Saints certainly sent out a statement of intent with a home game against Leigh Leopards next up in a couple of weeks.

St Helens have some tough games coming up and while they weren’t far off, they know they need to be better against the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves.

Teams

St Helens: Jack Welsby; Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison; Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, George Delaney, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

Bench: Matt Whitley, Agantius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, Noah Stephens.

Hull KR: Jack Broadbent, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella.

Bench: Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa.