Rampant Rovers march on
A 24-point haul from Michael Dobson inspired Hull KR to a comprehensive 64-22 victory over York in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 08/05/11 6:06pm
A 24-point haul from Michael Dobson inspired Hull KR to a comprehensive 64-22 victory over York in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Dobson scored one of Rovers' 11 tries and kicked 10 goals as the visitors cruised through to the last 16 at the Huntington Stadium.
However York, who rested influential playmaker Chris Thorman, wasted a glorious chance to draw level in the 16th minute when they failed to convert a goalline drop-out.
Rovers started strongly with two tries in the first nine minutes. First Peter Fox opened his account for the season against his former club after five minutes and Blake Green got Rovers' second under the posts after smart work by fellow half-back Dobson, who added the extras to both tries.
Intensity
York hit back through Mark Barlow following a neat break down the left by Jonny Presley.
After forcing a goalline drop-out, York winger James Haynes found his path to the line blocked by several Rovers defenders and the chance was gone when he was bundled into touch.
Rovers stepped up their intensity after that let-off and scored five more tries before the interval.
Ben Galea's try disheartened the Knights, who were blown away by Rovers in a devastating nine-minute spell that brought four tries.
Louis Sheriff followed up his debut try against Harlequins with his second senior touchdown before Dobson, who kicked all seven goals in the first half, scored his second try of the season. Matt Cook then took Ben Fisher's pass to score and make it 36-6 to the visitors.
Jordan Cox, making his senior debut for Rovers, marked the occasion with a try five minutes before half-time.
Consolation
York mounted a mini-revival at the start of the second half with Jack Stearman scoring in the 46th minute and Barlow getting his second following Anthony Thackeray's 40/20 three minutes later.
The gap was 24 points, but that was as close as it got as Rovers centres Kris Welham and Jake Webster notched tries in the 55th and 65th minutes respectively.
Cox and Fox then scored a second try each before Lee Waterman's unconverted try provided some consolation for York.
Dobson added the extras to all the tries except Welham's second-half effort.
