Hull KR showed no mercy to a depleted Castleford side, running in nine tries to secure a 50‑6 demolition and climb to third place in the Betfred Super League. The Tigers, already grappling with a spate of injuries, were forced to field four newcomers – Tyler Dupree, Phoenix Laulu‑Togaga'e, Tom Nicholson‑Watton and Brad Dwyer – all of whom made their first appearance at Craven Park on the same day. Despite the fresh faces, the visitors were riddled with mistakes, while the home team, buoyed by an aggressive attacking display, notched their sixth straight win across all competitions, largely thanks to a hat‑trick from Tom Davies.
The match got off to a blistering start when Karl Lawton, who rarely starts at hooker, grabbed the ball and crossed the line twice in quick succession. His early brace set the tone for a first half dominated by the Rovers, who also saw tries from Tom Amone and Dean Hadley. By the break, Hull KR had built an imposing 34‑0 lead, leaving Castleford with a mountain to climb.
After the interval, the home side eased off the gas slightly, but they still managed to add two more scores before the final whistle. Mikey Lewis and Joe Burgess each found the try‑line, and Tom Davies completed his personal treble, sealing Hull KR’s 50‑point total.
Rhyse Martin proved his reliability with the boot, converting seven of the nine tries and ensuring the margin was as large as it could be. The victory sends Hull KR into next Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi‑final against Warrington at Doncaster – a repeat of last year’s high‑profile showdown – with confidence running high after such a dominant league performance. Castleford’s own shortcomings were evident throughout the game. Early on, Zac Cini and Renouf Atoni both mishandled the ball, and each error was punished by Lawton, who pounced from dummy‑half to add to the scoreline.
The Tigers’ woes continued in the second half when a routine high ball was dropped by Laulu‑Togaga'e, exposing his nerves on his return to the club. The mistake was capitalised on by Peta Hiku’s tackle, allowing former Tiger Tom Amone to stroll in for an easy try. Further errors compounded Castleford’s misery. The full‑back misread his lines again, leading to a quick right‑side move by Hull KR that culminated in Davies sidestepping Jason Qareqare and grounding the ball for his fourth try.
Dean Hadley then raced to the corner from a grubber kick by Elliot Minchella, while Davies added a spectacular acrobatic finish just before halftime, bringing the half‑time score to an astonishing 34‑0. The second half offered no respite for the Tigers.
A routine up‑and‑under went awry when Darnell McIntosh spilled the ball in his own in‑goal area, gifting Mikey Lewis a simple try from the resulting kick. Although Castleford managed a brief spell of pressure, Hull KR’s defence, which had only conceded 38 points across their previous four games, held firm, repelling five consecutive sets. Hull KR’s clinical edge was on full display when Joe Burgess dived over on the left, marking his ninth try in his last five league appearances.
Willie Peters’ side continued to probe, forcing Castleford deep into their own half. A swift right‑wing move saw Davies sprint 20 metres and beat the defense to the line for his third try of the match. Despite the onslaught, Castleford managed to add a consolation score.
Krystian Mapapalangi latched onto a kick from Laulu‑Togaga'e and crossed the line, giving the Tigers a solitary point on the board. This was the second time in as many weeks that Castleford had conceded 50 points, having suffered a similar fate against Hull FC the previous weekend. Looking ahead, Hull KR will carry the momentum of this comprehensive victory into the Challenge Cup semi‑final, where they will face a familiar opponent in Warrington. Their offensive firepower, highlighted by Davies’ hat‑trick and Martin’s accurate goal‑kicking, suggests they will be a formidable contender.
Meanwhile, Castleford must regroup and address the injury crisis that forced them to field so many debutants, while also tightening up their defensive lapses that proved costly against a relentless Rovers side. The broader Super League landscape continues to evolve, with the latest table reflecting Hull KR’s ascent into the top three. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which remains the exclusive broadcaster for all Super League matches this season, offering two matches per round live and streaming the remaining five fixtures each week.