Hull KR tame Dragons and book Wembley date in push to end 40-year drought
Hull KR booked their place in next month's Challenge Cup final courtesy of a comfortable victory over Catalans Dragons to once again move to within one game of a first trophy in 40 years. Rovers have been waiting since 1985 to lift a piece of silverware but have fallen agonisingly short twice in recent seasons, losing the 2023 cup final and last year's Super League Grand Final. However, they are undoubtedly now one of the sport's leading sides, underlined by this victory.
Few could argue they did not deserve their place at Wembley. Inspired by the reigning Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, yet again, Rovers had far too much for a Catalans side that could have little complaint about the outcome.
Catalans trailed by four points after a compelling opening 40 minutes and even led at one stage when tries from Reimis Smith and Luke Keary made it 12-10 in their favour. But Rovers, who had scored twice through James Batchelor, then went ahead when Lewis finished a wonderful team move.
He would convert and then add a penalty shortly after the restart to make it 18-12. But even at that early stage, Catalans appeared to be struggling in the heat and how Hull KR made them pay.
The Dragons offered little to suggest there could be any sort of comeback and when Jack Broadbent cut through with 20 minutes to go to open up a 12-point lead, the semi-final felt a long way towards being decided. That was then emphasised when Broadbent scored his second after a fine break from Joe Burgess.
With six minutes remaining, Burgess put the seal on another landmark day for the Robins as he scored their sixth.
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