After snatching a sensational last gasp winner last weekend against the Leeds Rhinos, Shane Wright eventually finding a way through the defensive line to break Rhinos hearts, St Helens were rewarded with a trip to east Hull to take on a Hull KR side who still have aspirations for a famous treble.

The Robins were the favourites to seal their first ever trip to Old Trafford to take on a Wigan Warriors side who defeated Leigh Leopards last night, and they were handicapped by eight points on the coupon.

KR have emerged victorious in the three previous meetings in 2025, most recently with a narrow 12-8 at the end of August when the two sides last met at Craven Park.

A great Harry Robertson tackle prevented a Joe Burgess try on four minutes, dislodging the ball in the tackle as the winger flew down the left wing.

St Helens lost Jon Bennison on eight minutes for a head impact assessment after he took a robust tackle from Jared Waera-Hargreaves. Two minutes later Jack Welsby was sin-binned for tugging the shirt of a Jez Litten as he chased his own grubber to the St Helens line. Arthur Mourgue kicked the resulting penalty for a 2-0 lead to the home side.

On seventeen the home side got the first try, talisman Mikey Lewis taking the final inside pass to go over from ten metres, the final pass looking suspiciously forward but not concerning the officials. Mourgue added the conversion for 8-0, Saints struggling to spend any time in the Robins half.

Six minutes after the opener and KR were in again, Burgess grounding after an Oliver Gildart offload from the ground a couple of metres out. Mourgue was just wide with his touchline conversion.

Peta Hiku went close to a third KR try on thirty-six minutes but grounded short of the line under a desperate tackle.  Lewis attempted a fifty metre drop goal with thirty seconds remaining but the ball drifted wide. Hull KR had dominated the half and were probably slightly unlucky to be just twelve points ahead.

From being behind the eight ball for the entire first half, Saints opened their own account within four minutes of the restart when Deon Cross threw an outrageous dummy which was bought ‘hook line and sinker’ by Arthur Mourgue, the Saints winger ghosting in to score down the right touchine. Jonny Lomax converted in off the far post, Saint suddenly back within a converted try.

A high tackle from Saints gave Rhyse Martin a twenty-five-metre-penalty opportunity fifty-four but the KR man pushed it wide.

With seventeen minutes remaining Oliver Gildart found space down the left wing after picking up a Burgess tap back of a Lewis high kick to the corner. Martin was again wide with the conversion attempt.

KR’s trip to Old Trafford was confirmed on seventy-one, Gildart smashing his way through the line and dropping over the line. Martin hit the near upright, a third miss on the night from the usually reliable kicker.

On seventy-four Moses Mbye found Robertson to beat his man and dive over. Lomax added the conversion, the lead down to eight points but the mountain was too steep to climb, Hull KR holding on for the win.

After a long season it is the top two who will play out the Grand Final at Old Trafford on the eleventh of October as Hull KR face Wigan Warriors in the showdown, a repeat of last years final game. It was a step too far for St Helens after last week’s miraculous win over the Leeds Rhinos last week. The Robins were the best side on the night and deserve their chance to improve on last years efforts and secure the treble.

Hull KR: Mourgue (G 2/3), Davies, Hiku, Gildart (2T), Burgess (T), Lewis (T), May, Sue, Litten Waera-Hargreaves, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Subs: Luckley, Whitbread, Martin (G 0/3), Broadbent. 18^th Man: Tanginoa. 

St Helens: Sailor, Bennison, Robertson (T), Whitley, Cross (T), Welsby (SB on 12), Lomax (G 2/2), Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Wright, Knowles. Subs: Mbye, Bell, Delaney, Stephens. 18^th Man: Wingfield.

Half-Time: 12-0.

Full-Time: 20-12.  

Score Progression: (SB), 2-0, 6-0, 8-0, 12-0 : HT: 12-4, 12-6, 16-6, 20-6, 20-10, 20-12 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Hull KR.

Referee: Liam Moore.