Lewis Shines with Four Tries in Hull KR's Convincing Win
Mikey Lewis, who had previously scored five tries in the Super League this season, delivered an outstanding performance by scoring four tries against Bradford Bulls. This effort helped Hull Kingston Rovers secure a dominant victory at Odsal, moving them up to fifth place in the Super League standings.
The match saw tries from Douglas and Eden for Bradford, with Atkin successfully kicking two goals. For Hull KR, tries were scored by Lewis (4), May, Martin, Broadbent, and Hiku, while Martin contributed eight goals.
Early Dominance by Hull KR
Lewis made an immediate impact by scoring two tries within the first eight minutes, setting the tone for what would become a one-sided contest. The Robins' stand-off demonstrated exceptional skill and pace, threatening a large score against a Bradford side that was significantly weakened due to injuries. The Bulls had to rely on loan players and academy youngsters to fill their squad.
Following Lewis's early tries, Tyrone May and Rhyse Martin also crossed the line, prompting statisticians to review records due to the rapid scoring. However, Bradford showed resilience before halftime, with tries from Brandon Douglas and Greg Eden narrowing the gap.
Second Half Seals the Outcome
Despite Bradford's efforts, Hull KR quickly regained control after the break. Jack Broadbent scored early in the second half, followed by two additional tries from Lewis, bringing his total to four for the match. Peta Hiku also contributed a try, marking the eighth for Hull KR on the day. This victory marked Hull KR's fifth consecutive win across all competitions.
Bradford's Injury Crisis and Squad Challenges
Bradford Bulls faced a significant injury crisis, missing 13 players, including all recognized half-backs except Chris Atkin. This forced the team to field a patched-up squad, which struggled against the in-form Hull KR side.
Concerns about a potential record defeat for Bradford were evident as Lewis scored two early tries and assisted May with a precise kick for another try. Martin's impressive effort to evade a tackle resulted in a fourth try within the opening 15 minutes.
Bulls' Fightback Before Halftime
Bradford demonstrated considerable spirit to fight back before halftime. Brandon Douglas, recalled from a loan spell at Championship club Halifax Panthers, powered over for his first Super League try. Additionally, 35-year-old Greg Eden, on loan from North Wales Crusaders, scored his first Super League try since leaving Castleford Tigers in 2023, capitalizing on defensive errors from Hull KR.
Hull KR Responds Strongly After the Break
Hull KR, likely motivated by a halftime team talk from head coach Willie Peters, returned to the field with renewed intensity. Broadbent scored by collecting a short-range kick from May. Lewis then completed a hat-trick with a deceptive dummy and sprint. He followed this by evading three defenders to score his fourth try, a personal best in his senior career.
Hiku added another try from May's kick over the top, and Martin completed the scoring with his eighth successful conversion, bringing his personal tally to 20 points.
Team Lineups
Bradford Bulls: Ryan; Wynne, Russell, Chamberlain, Eden; Aekins, Atkin; Ormondroyd, Souter, Lewis, Fulton, Peposhi, Hallas
Interchanges: Douglas, Gardiner, Ruan, Gill.
Hull Kingston Rovers: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Martin, Booth; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.
Interchanges: Luckley, Whitbread, Dezaria, Leyland.
