St Helens graft to ugly win over Hull KR

St Helens responded to the disappointment of their World Club Series defeat to Sydney Roosters by winning 31-22 at Hull KR on Friday evening.

St Helens winger Tommy Makinson acknowledged how satisfying it was to win after losing to Salford and the Roosters in consecutive weeks.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” he told Sky Sports after the game.

“But the boys tonight were outstanding. I thought our forwards were brilliant, and gave us that platform for our backs.

“It’s a great win. There’s been a lot of talk about how we’ve not won here in a long, long time, and it was sweet tonight.”

KR showed quality in flashes, but could not sustain the level of performance necessary to beat Saints.

Albert Kelly went off at half time with a dead leg, adding to the Robins’ considerable injury woes.

Rovers turned in a spirited, but limited, display, grafting hard in attack and defence, but lacking inspiration once Kelly had departed.

“They’re a dangerous side, Hull KR, they move the ball around,” Makinson added.

“You saw that with their centres and wingers, and Ben Cockayne at full back, playing off a good pack.

“They’re so dangerous, and it’s pretty tough to defend against, and to keep them to one try in that second half is a credit to our boys.”