Super League: Castleford Tigers 0-44 Hull KR – Robins go fourth with huge win

A visit from the defending champions would not have been Castleford’s ideal way to end a tumultuous week and the considerable underdogs showed spirit during the first period against a Hull KR side who were initially functional rather than flowing.

Hooker Litten collected his own grubber kick to open the scoring in a flash of individual brilliance before Castleford prop Joe Stimson’s masterful tackle denied Dean Hadley a near-certain try.

Wing Davies made amends by narrowly evading Krystian Mapapalangi’s challenge to score as part of a scrappy half that ended with confusion when a long video review denied Jai Whitbread a try because May’s kick was knocked forward.

Elliot Minchella, who was making his 300th career appearance, appeared deep in conversation at half-time with referee Marcus Griffiths, who awarded a penalty for a challenge by Burgess on Castleford’s Jordan Lane, but there was less contention over the visitors’ dominance after the break.

May charged clear five minutes after the restart and Burgess cut out a ball to Louis Senior to hurtle 90 metres as part of a set of four tries in 15 minutes for Hull KR.

Hiku tricked his way past Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e from 30 metres out, May charged down a kick to go over again, and Davies collected Hiku’s pass to complete a superb move launched by a kick from May.

Martin, who replaced Oli Gildart at half-time, added five of Hull KR’s six goals and a try when the forward capitalised on Burgess’ grubber kick to cap a memorable display.

With seventh-placed St Helens four points behind them following their home defeat by Hull FC on Thursday, Hull KR are chasing a four-point gap on third-placed Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity, who have played a game more, in second.

Jack Brown made his 100th Super League appearance against his former side for Castleford, who could be overtaken by the second-bottom Bradford on Saturday.

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e; Senior, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Sharpe; Asi, Windley; Dupree, Hood, Stimson, Lane, Hirst, Brown.

Interchanges: Atoni, Lawler, Hall, Robb.

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Hampshire, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Luckley, Martin, Lawton, Amone.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.