St Helens 26-18 Hull KR: James Roby victorious on milestone appearance

James Roby celebrated his record-breaking 455th Super League appearance with a try as his St Helens side defeated Hull KR 26-18 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. 

The St Helens skipper surpassed Kevin Sinfield’s previous all-time record of 454 and was welcomed onto the field with a standing ovation and a tunnel from both sides.

Match report

Will Hopoate started at full-back, with Jack Welsby and Jonny Lomax in the halves. 

Meanwhile, former Saints full-back Lachlan Coote returned to the Totally Wicked Stadium for the first time since joining Hull KR. Mikey Lewis partnered Rowan Milnes in the halves. 

The hosts opened the scoring inside the first set of the game. Tommy Makinson broke down the right wing before a cover tackle from Coote. On the next play, the England winger was assisted by a lovely inside pass by centre Konrad Hurrell to cross in the corner. 

Jack Welsby was shown a yellow card on seven minutes for denying Coote a quick 20 metre restart.

It was that man Coote who hit back for the Robins just a minute later. The 32-year-old finding a gap from dummy-half to crash over. 

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came on 17 minutes, as Roby crossed on his milestone match to restore his side’s lead to 10-6.

Alex Walmsley and Morgan Knowles combined for Saints’ third try on 23 minutes, with the former setting up the latter to cross under the sticks. 

England World Cup hopeful Ryan Hall scored in the corner on 27 minutes, with Coote providing the cut-out ball to assist. 

Hull KR hooker Matt Parcell was sent for 10 on the half-time hooter for a ruck infringement. Makinson taking the two on offer to extend his side’s lead.

HT: St Helens 18-12 Hull KR

It was a heated start to the second half, and it was Saints who scored first on 47 minutes. Hurrell breaking through the middle, and on the next play Ben Davies chasing down a kick to score in the corner. 

Jez Litten thought he had responded for the visitors on the hour mark, only for Lewis’ pass to be called forward by the official.

Centre Hurrell gave the hosts some breathing room on 65 minutes, taking the score to 26-12.

Coote scored his second of the game with three minutes left. However, St Helens held on to extend their lead at the top of the table to four.

FT: St Helens 26-18 Hull KR

St Helens: Hopoate, Makinson, Hurrell, Davies, Grace, Welsby, Lomax, Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Bell, Batchelor, Knowles

Bench: Lussick, Paasi, Wingfield, Norman.

Tries: Makinson, Roby, Knowles, Davies. 

Goals: Makinson 3/6

Hull KR: Coote, Ryan, Crooks, Kenny-Dowall, Hall, Lewis, Milnes, Storton, Parcell, King, Johnson, Halton, Hadley.

Bench: Vete, Litten, Minchella, Keinhorst. 

Tries: Coote (2), Hall 

Goals: Coote 3/3

READ MORE: James Roby may play on but his record will never be broken

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