Official Match Report

Sunday 26th April 2009, 1500
Hull K R (18) 44
v
10 (6) Catalans Dragons
Attendance: 8,115, Venue: New Craven Park

Ben Galea and Jake Webster each scored twice as Hull KR maintained their superb start in the engage Super League by ending Catalans' recent revival with a 44-10 win.

In-form scrum-half Michael Dobson weighed in with 16 points at Craven Park as Rovers scored eight tries in total to lift themselves above champions Leeds.

Clint Greenshields pulled one back as the Dragons briefly threatened one of their famous comebacks late in the first half but Rovers proved too strong.

Liam Colbon, the outstanding Scott Murrell and Ben Fisher also got on the Rovers scoresheet as the below-par Dragons clearly missed the likes of Greg Bird, Thomas Bosc and Jason Ryles.

Rovers dominated the first quarter and opened the scoring after just four minutes as Scott Wheeldon drove close to the line to win a penalty.

The hosts opted to run and Dobson sent out a long pass for Webster to put Colbon over in the corner.

A strong run by Shaun Briscoe gave Rovers position to double their advantage 10 minutes later and Murrell finished off when he hit a Dobson pass at speed.

It immediately got worse for Catalans as the ensuing kick-off sailed over the dead-ball line to give Rovers the first of two penalties in quick succession.

Justin Morgan's men took full advantage as Galea darted over from dummy half. With Dobson converting all three, Rovers led by 18 inside as many minutes.

Rovers threatened again soon after following a Murrell 40-20 kick but Gregory Mounis intercepted from Dobson to spark the Dragons into life.

The visitors swept down field and Greenshields rounded off a swift counter-attack with a fine solo run down the right.

Mounis added the extras to further bolster the Dragons and the French side finished the first half in the ascendancy with Jamal Fakir being stopped just short.

The interval came at the right time for Rovers and they returned with renewed vigour.

A Dobson 40-20 set up a fourth try as the ball was quickly spread wide and Webster stretched out over the line.

Rovers followed up with another try just moments later as Fisher broke into the Dragons half and Galea sent Dobson speeding into the corner.

Catalans responded with Mounis kicking through for Dimitri Pelo to score after Rovers conceded two quickfire penalties.

It proved too little too late for the Dragons as Galea and Webster each claimed their second of the afternoon.

Galea barged his way over from close range with 10 minutes remaining before Paul Cooke kicked into the corner for Webster to pounce.

Fisher then forced his way through a weary Dragons defence in the final minute and three more goals from Dobson put the seal on a fine home performance.