Hull KR 58-18 Batley: Strong Qualifiers start for Hull KR
By PA
Last Updated: 08/08/16 10:05am
Hull KR got their Qualifiers campaign off to a winning start with a 58-18 win over Batley.
It was the Robins' eighth straight victory in the Qualifiers after they cruised through the same competition last season and, despite falling behind early, they were rarely troubled in this game against John Kear's side.
Batley, however, stunned the home side with the first try in the third minute.
Gifted a short pitch to work on after Adam Walker's error 33 metres from his own try line, the Bulldogs scored on the last tackle as Alistair Leak went over from dummy half. Pat Walker's conversion gave the Championship side a 6-0 lead.
Rovers' response was immediate with two tries in five minutes. A 30-metre break by Shaun Lunt ripped Batley apart, leaving Iain Thornley plenty of space to score. Josh Mantellato levelled the score at 6-6 with his successful conversion.
On their next set and aided by a penalty, Rovers broke down the right wing with Ken Sio, who delivered the assist to Thomas Minns to score under the posts, with Mantellato converting to give the hosts a 12-6 lead.
Much of the talk leading into this game was the reminder for Rovers of what happened the last time they faced a Championship side - Oldham knocked them out of the Challenge Cup earlier this season.
But it was clear even though they conceded the first try, they were going to take their cup embarrassment out on Batley.
Three more tries followed in eight minutes as Rovers took control of the game. Minns went over with ease before a blistering break by Sio, supported by Ben Cockayne, was eventually finished off by Matty Marsh.
James Greenwood scored his fifth try of the season after more good work by Sio cut the Bulldogs to pieces. Mantellato converted all three to give the Robins a 30-6 lead.
Rovers' sixth try of the half came three minute from half-time. Kevin Larroyer's break was supported by Marsh who sent Minns over for his second try of the game. Mantellato maintained his 100 per cent kicking record with his sixth kick from six.
Batley ended the first half in the same way they started, by scoring. Tom Lillicrop went over for a converted try to reduce their deficit at the interval to 36-12.
Ten minutes into the second half the scoring resumed with Rovers extending their advantage. Mantellato's kick popped up perfectly for Cockayne to score wide on the left. Mantellato missed the conversion, but his side led 40-12.
Any hope of a Batley fightback ended five minutes later when Greenwood went through for his second of the day near the posts giving Mantellato an easy conversion to move KR into a 46-12 lead.
Maurice Blair's try and Mantellato's conversion moved the home side past the 50-point mark as Batley began to wilt.
As the game petered out, Mantellato took his tally to 22 points with an acrobatic try in the left-hand corner and his conversion from the touchline that bounced off the crossbar and over.
Despite being soundly beaten, Batley ended on a high, scoring the 13th try of the game through Alex Rowe. Dominic Brambani's second conversion of the game was the final act.
