Hull KR Crush Castleford 50-6 to Cut Leeds Lead to Two Points

Key facts

• Hull KR defeated Castleford Tigers 50-6 at Craven Park on April 30, 2026.
• Tom Davies scored a hat-trick of tries for Hull KR.
• Karl Lawton added a brace of tries for the Robins.
• Rhyse Martin converted seven of Hull KR's nine tries.
• Hull KR moved up to third place in Betfred Super League, two points behind leaders Leeds.
• Castleford made four debutants due to an injury crisis: Tyler Dupree, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e, Tom Nicholson-Watton, and Brad Dwyer.
• The win was Hull KR's sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Champions Return to Form with Dominant Display

Reigning champions Hull KR completed a perfect April by demolishing Castleford 50-6 at Craven Park, cutting the gap on Super League leaders Leeds to two points. The victory, their sixth straight in all competitions, lifted them to third place and underscored their resurgence after a sluggish start to their title defence. Treble-winning coach Willie Peters, who is leaving at the end of the season for Papua New Guinea, saw his side return to the juggernaut form that brought them their first league title in 40 years last October. The Robins, who beat Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final, now look like genuine contenders once more.

First-Half Blitz Puts Game Beyond Reach

Hull KR raced to a 34-0 half-time lead, scoring with almost every set. Karl Lawton opened the scoring after pouncing on a loose ball, then drove through a gap for his second try. Debutant Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e lost the ball in a tackle just metres out, allowing Tom Amone to scoop up and score. Tom Davies finished quick hands to score in the corner after beating a tame tackle from Jason Qareqare, and Rhyse Martin's fourth successful kick made it 24-0 after 33 minutes. Elliot Minchella then put a grubber kick through for Dean Hadley to touch down, and Davies' acrobatic finish in the corner capped a sensational move on half-time.

Castleford's Errors Prove Costly

Castleford, hit by an injury crisis that forced four debutants into the side, were architects of their own downfall. The visitors missed 22 tackles in the first half and committed repeated errors that the ruthless champions punished. Zac Cini and Renouf Atoni both fumbled the ball, leading to Lawton's tries from dummy-half. At the start of the second half, Darnell McIntosh spilled the ball behind the tryline, allowing Mikey Lewis to fall on it for a seventh try. Castleford finally mounted sustained pressure but could not score, and Joe Burgess soon found the corner at the other end. Davies slid in for his hat-trick with six minutes left to bring up 50 points, before Castleford got on the board with seconds remaining when Laulu-Togaga'e kicked through and Krystian Mapapalangi scored.

Davies Hat-Trick and Martin's Boot Seal Rout

Tom Davies' hat-trick of tries and Rhyse Martin's seven conversions were central to Hull KR's commanding win. Davies finished with three tries, including a brilliant acrobatic effort and a late slide into the corner. Martin's kicking was flawless, converting seven of the nine tries. Karl Lawton, making a rare start at hooker, added a brace, while Tom Amone, Dean Hadley, Mikey Lewis, and Joe Burgess also crossed. The nine-try haul demonstrated the champions' attacking depth and ruthlessness.

Challenge Cup Semi-Final Looms

Hull KR now head into next Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington at Doncaster, a rematch of last year's showpiece, with significant momentum. The win extended their winning run to six games and restored their status as title contenders. For Castleford, the defeat compounds a miserable week after shipping 50 points to Hull FC seven days earlier. The Tigers, beset by injuries, will need to regroup quickly to avoid further damage to their season.

The bottom line

• Hull KR's 50-6 win over Castleford cuts the gap to Super League leaders Leeds to two points.
• Tom Davies scored a hat-trick, and Karl Lawton added a brace as the champions ran in nine tries.
• Castleford's injury crisis forced four debutants, and their error-strewn performance included 22 missed tackles in the first half.
• Hull KR have won six consecutive matches in all competitions, moving up to third place.
• The Robins face Warrington in the Challenge Cup semi-final next Sunday, a rematch of last year's final.
• Castleford have conceded 50 points in consecutive games, highlighting their defensive struggles.