Hull | One win away from a Treble for Hull KR

Hull KR 20 - 12 St Helens

Oliver Gildart’s two second-half tries kept Hull KR on course for a historic Treble as they overcame St Helens in a gripping Super League play-off semi-final.

Author | Jeremy Watson

Stadium | Craven Park

View from the stands

The Robins booked a rematch of last season’s Grand Final against Wigan Warriors next Saturday with a dominant first-half performance and some resilient defending after the break.

Mikey Lewis opened the scoring before Gildart set up Joe Burgess as Rovers made full use of the strong winds brought by Storm Amy in the opening half. Deon Cross hit back for Saints after the interval, but Gildart’s brace ensured that a late Harry Robertson try was little more than consolation as Rovers marched towards Old Trafford.

One game from absolute glory for Hull KR

Both sides had entered the contest at Craven Park with mixed form, Rovers having lost two of their previous five games, while Saints were buoyed by last week’s dramatic late win over Leeds Rhinos. Yet it was the home side who seized control early on, pinning Saints in their own half and forcing repeated errors.

Pictures taken from the fans

When Jack Welsby was sin-binned for tugging Jez Litten’s shirt during a kick chase, the Robins punished the visitors ruthlessly. Arthur Mourgue slotted the penalty before Burgess and Lewis combined for the latter’s 20th Super League try of the season.

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Gildart was instrumental throughout, first laying on Burgess’s try with a smart offload before crossing twice himself as Saints struggled to contain the Robins’ pace and precision. The visitors briefly threatened a comeback when Cross dummied his way over and Jonny Lomax converted to cut the gap to a single score, but a series of penalties stifled their momentum.

Lewis’s clever kicking restored Hull KR’s composure, and when Burgess rose to nod one back for Gildart to finish, the outcome began to feel inevitable. His second soon followed, and though Robertson’s late effort narrowed the margin, it could not halt Rovers’ progress.

Nine years after suffering relegation, Hull KR will return to Old Trafford for their second successive Grand Final, their dreams of a domestic Treble still alive.