Rovers rout poor Crusaders

Hull KR hammered Celtic Crusaders 48-18 to leave the Super League new boys still searching for their first win in the top flight.

Clint Newton helped himself to a hat-trick as Rovers ran in nine tries at Craven Park, Michael Dobson converting six of them.

The hosts were made to work extremely hard in the opening 40 minutes, though, a late try before the hooter giving them a narrow 16-12 advantage.

The Crusaders took the lead through former Hull FC player Peter Lupton but ran out of steam after the break, Matty Smith's late try being nothing more than a consolation.

Dress rehearsal

In a dress rehearsal for the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie between the sides in three weeks, the visitors threatened to cause an upset in an even first half.

They broke the deadlock with 12 minutes gone after Smith and Marshall Chalk combined to send Lupton to the line, Josh Hannay adding the conversion.

Stunned into life by conceding, the Robins replied through Kris Welham, who forced the ball loose in the tackle and then fended off several opponents to get over.

Michael Dobson kicked the extras to make it 6-6 and was also on target with his second shot at the posts after prop Nick Fozzard had scored his first try for the club.

The Crusaders came roaring back though to tie things up again, Darren Mapp crossing close enough for Hannay to convert.

However, their hopes of going in at the break on level terms were dashed when Newton managed to win the race to his own hack-on.

The late try provided the hosts with a perfect platform to come out after the interval and dominate proceedings, scoring six tries.

Defensive errors

Centre Chev Walker got the first when he capitalised on the Crusaders' failure to deal with a towering up-and-under from Dobson.

Another defensive error, this time a missed tackle, allowed Ben Galea to waltz over before Newton crossed twice more to make sure of the result.

The Australian second-rower celebrated signing a new four-year contract in style by grabbing a rare treble. The impressive Dobson also scored to finish with a personal haul of 16 points.

Smith gave the Crusaders something to celebrate again in the 76th minute only for Rovers to have the last word, winger Liam Colbon sliding over right at the death.