Hull KR have gone 40 years and not using a main trophy and lifted their solely Problem Cup even additional again, in 1980.

However hopes are sky excessive in Humberside, with Rovers sitting prime of Tremendous League and now of their ninth Problem Cup last after an emphatic second-half show.

KR confirmed first as either side ignored the unusually excessive spring temperatures and went full-tilt in a breathless first half.

Batchelor chased down Lewis’ kick by way of to attain after Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet didn’t punch the ball out of the in-goal space, after which added a hotly-debated second attempt after a prolonged video evaluate.

Matthieu Laguerre appeared to floor the ball concurrently the second-rower, however video referee Ben Thaler couldn’t overrule Chris Kendall’s onfield determination to award the attempt.

Dragons supplied little in assault within the opening quarter-hour however then exploded into life, as Smith in the reduction of inside to separate open the Rovers defence and cross close to the posts.

And when Keary chased down a chip forward quickly after, Thaler did this time overrule Kendall – who had known as offside – because the Dragons pinched the lead.

Catalans went near extending that lead moments later, however Julian Bousquet’s rash flicked offload simply metres from the road as a substitute discovered a Rovers hand.

However the match turned once more earlier than half-time as Jai Whitbread’s sensible offload within the deal with despatched Lewis flying over to revive the Hull KR benefit.

Lewis booted a penalty as Rovers piled on the stress after the restart after which cracked the French facet when Broadbent noticed a spot and launched a scorching diagonal run by way of it to the posts.

Jez Litten’s thrilling run from his personal half sparked a breathless transfer which fell simply quick, however KR killed the sport with 10 minutes left as Catalans visibly wilted.

Kelepi Tanginoa was despatched clear by Lewis’ cut-out go and fed Joe Burgess, whose go inside gave Broadbent a transparent run to the road earlier than Burgess ran in on the left nook for attempt quantity six.