Super League: Hull KR beat Bradford Bulls for first win of 2014

Omari Caro: scored the opening try for Rovers

Rock-bottom Bradford offered very little but were not helped by two first-half injuries to hooker Matt Diskin and prop Adam Sidlow.

Diskin went off in the 11th minute while Sidlow followed in the 25th to make life much harder for Francis Cummins' side, who remain at the foot of the Super League on minus two points.

They were behind on the scoreboard a minute after Diskin was helped off the pitch to be replaced by Adam O'Brien.

Travis Burns' kick caused panic in the Bulls' defence to allow Omari Caro to ground the kick for the opening try of the game. Burns converted for a 6-0 lead.

Rovers deserved their early lead after dominating the early exchanges. Their pack set the tone with some determined runs to provide the platform for Burns and Kris Keating to call the plays.

Both half-backs combined to double the Robins' advantage in the 25th minute.

Burns broke through a tackle to pass inside for Keating to finish off in style near the posts. Burns' conversion made it 12-0.

Resolutely

While the heavens opened, the floodgates many Rovers fans expected to see swing apart did not as Bradford defended resolutely for the remainder of the half.

Bradford, who struggled in attack, were almost given a helping hand when James Green reacted brilliantly to gather a high and loose pass a metre from his own try line.

Bradford would have been delighted to be only two converted tries behind on the scoreboard knowing the game was still in the balance.

For all their problems on and off the pitch, there is no denying the heart in this Bulls side. It would have been easy for them to give up but they showed great spirit, especially in defence.

Several times it looked as though Rovers had scored, only for the Bulls to get someone under the ball.

It may have been frustrating for Rovers, but they did not let it get the better of them. And eventually they went in for their third try of the game after being held at bay for 40 minutes.

Burns again was the architect behind the score, judging his grubbed kick to perfection for Frenchman Kevin Larroyer to score.

Burns missed his first conversion, but the Robins had secured a much-needed win.