May's Hat-Trick Powers Hull KR Past York Knights in Challenge Cup Quarter-Final
Tyrone May achieved the first hat-trick of his senior career as Hull Kingston Rovers delivered a commanding performance to defeat York Knights in the Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Tries: May 3, Sue, Broadbent, Whitbread, Lewis, Burgess
Goals: R. Martin 4, Lewis 3, Litten
Tries: Va'a, Harrison
Goals: Harrison
Hull KR, the defending champions, advanced to the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a dominant display against York Knights. Earlier in the season, York had stunned last season’s treble winners with a victory on the opening night in February. However, this time Hull KR came out determined to defend their title and did not allow York to replicate their previous success.
May opened the scoring within 90 seconds and added two more tries early in the second half, as Hull KR overwhelmed a York side that had managed only one Super League win since their historic victory two months prior.
Willie Peters’ squad secured their fifth win in six matches across all competitions, with tries also from Sauaso Sue, Jack Broadbent, Jai Whitbread, Mikey Lewis, and Joe Burgess. For York, Xavier Va'a and Myles Harrison crossed the line.
Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis demonstrated exceptional skill to open the scoring in the second half.
York’s earlier win at the York Community Stadium was a historic achievement, but injuries have severely impacted their squad depth. They fielded four loan players at Sewell Group Craven Park against a Hull KR team now in strong form.
Lewis made a break early as Hull KR attacked from the outset. Oliver Gildart supported Lewis and passed to May, signaling the beginning of York’s struggles, as they started the match sluggishly.
Sauaso Sue powered over the line following a pass from the ever-present Jez Litten. York responded when the wind shortened Lewis’ goal-line drop-out, allowing Xavier Va'a to capitalize and score.
Hull KR immediately answered as Lewis assisted Broadbent for a try, followed by Whitbread’s powerful run to score. Rhyse Martin, returning from injury, contributed a penalty and two conversions to extend the lead at halftime.
Early in the second half, Lewis produced a moment of brilliance by chipping ahead, leaping to control the ball after an awkward bounce, and acrobatically grounding it just before leaving the in-goal area.
York’s loanee Harrison scored in the corner, but Hull KR’s momentum continued unabated. May scored two quick tries to complete his first senior career hat-trick, and Joe Burgess finished spectacularly in the corner as the final whistle sounded.
Reaction - 'We were outplayed'
Hull KR boss Willie Peters told :
"There's things I really liked but there's things we need to do better, that's for sure.
Everyone wants to start well. We're no different. We wanted to start well in that second half as well but there were moments when I didn't think we did.
Every team always talks about a good start and then hopefully you keep momentum off the back. And we did start the game well."
Hull KR scrum-half Tyrone May told :
"Going into every match of the Challenge Cup it's do or die. Everyone has the same amount of pressure.
All the talk about us being the holders - yes we are, but we also know it's not ours at the moment and we have to go and get it.
[On his hat-trick] "It's nice. Most of them were just support tries and it's good to get it when you're supported and it came off today."
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told :
"I thought KR showed exactly why they're a champion team today. It was a disappointing start. They left us chasing our tail a little bit.
I can understand the disconnect given the changes we made. But one thing I am pleased with is that we kept on fighting to the end.
Congratulations to Hull KR. We'll be alright. We'll stick together. There's some pretty harsh lessons there but as long as we are learning, we'll move forward.
We weren't naive to not know there would be some scorelines like that this year. Especially if we lost some of our key members.
There's a lot of lads hurting in there and it's my job as coach to make sure everyone stays together and doesn't start turning on each other.
Sometimes you've got to tip your hat and say you were outplayed, and I thought we were outplayed against Hull KR."
Team Line-ups
Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, R Martin, Batchelor, Hadley.
Interchanges: Luckley, Whitbread, Brown, Lawton.
York: Williams; Harrison, Law, Buchanan, Galeano; Hingano, McShane; Va'a, Balmforth, Vaughan, Field, Dee, Griffin.
Interchanges: J. Martin, Sangare, Cook, Smith.
