Rovers steamroller Dragons
Hull KR ran in eight tries to demolish Catalans Dragons 44-10 at Craven Park.
Last Updated: 26/04/09 5:15pm
Hull KR brought Catalans Dragons' recent revival to a shuddering halt with a 44-10 victory over the French side at Craven Park.
Ben Galea and Jake Webster each scored twice as Rovers ran in a total of eight tries, while in-form scrum-half Michael Dobson weighed in with 16 points
Liam Colbon, Scott Murrell and Ben Fisher also got on the Rovers scoresheet as the below-par Dragons clearly missed the likes of Greg Bird, Thomas Bosc and Jason Ryles.
Clint Greenshields pulled one back as Catalans briefly hinted at one of their famous comebacks late in the first half but Rovers proved far too strong in the end.
The result lifts Justin Morgan's men above defending champions Leeds Rhinos into second spot in the engage Super League table, three points behind pacesetters St Helens.
Opening salvo
Rovers dominated the first quarter and got the game's opening points after just four minutes as Scott Wheeldon drove close to the line to win a penalty.
The hosts opted to run and Dobson sent out a long pass for Webster to squeeze Colbon across the whitewash in the corner.
Shaun Briscoe's powerful run gave Rovers position to double their advantage 10 minutes later and Murrell, arriving into the line at pace, finished off from Dobson's well-timed pass.
And it immediately got worse for Catalans as the ensuing kick-off sailed over the dead-ball line to give Rovers the first of two penalties in quick succession.
The hosts took full advantage as Galea darted over from dummy half. With Dobson converting all three, Rovers had raced into an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter.
Rovers threatened again soon after following Murrell's 40-20 but Gregory Mounis intercepted from Dobson to spark the Dragons into life.
The visitors swept down field and Greenshields rounded off the counter-attack with a fine solo run down the right.
Mounis slotted the extras to further bolster the Dragons, who finished the first half in the ascendancy with Jamal Fakir being held just short.
Fresh impetus
The interval came at the right time for Rovers and they returned with renewed vigour.
A Dobson 40-20 set up a fourth try as the ball was quickly spread wide and Webster stretched for the line.
Another Rovers try followed just moments later as Fisher broke from inside his own half and the ball was worked through Galea's hands to send Dobson speeding into the corner.
Catalans responded with Mounis kicking through for Dimitri Pelo to score after Rovers conceded two quickfire penalties.
But it was too little too late for the Dragons as Galea and Webster each claimed their second of the afternoon.
Galea barged his way over from close range with 10 minutes remaining before Paul Cooke kicked into the corner for Webster to pounce.
Fisher then forced his way through a weary Dragons defence in the final minute and three more goals from Dobson put the seal on a fine home performance.