Hodgson stars in Rovers romp

Dave Hodgson scored a hat-trick on his return from a knee injury as Hull KR crushed London Broncos 44-16 at Craven Park.

Rovers ran in seven tries in all with further scores for Kris Welham (two), Graeme Horne and Blake Green.

The hosts got off to the perfect start with two tries in the first 10 minutes.

With the Broncos attacking Rovers' line, Craig Hall intercepted Craig Gower's pass and advanced it 50 metres before being grounded by Dan Sarginson. Play was soon spread to the left where Hodgson, a late inclusion in the KR squad, took Michael Dobson's long cut-out pass over.

In their next set, Ben Galea kept play alive on the left touchline before sending Welham over from 15 metres out. Dobson was on target with his second conversion to make it 12-0 after just eight minutes.

London slipped further behind when Rovers attacked their right-hand side once again and Welham turned provider, sending Hodgson through for his second try of the game. Dobson's left foot made it 18-0 with just 13 minutes on the clock.

London were in danger of being blown away but they kept the game alive by scoring the game's next try. Shane Rodney powered his way through and though he dropped the ball en route to the line, referee James Child allowed the try to stand. Rodney converted to make it 18-6 after 21 minutes.

It was the tonic London needed and they cut the deficit to 18-12 when Chad Randall backed himself to score from dummy half from a couple of metres out.

But Rovers regained control when Dobson's kick was followed up by Welham before Galea sent Hodgson over for his hat-trick try in the 34th minute.

Pressure

Dobson made it four from four with another successful conversion from the left hand side and extended the Robins' lead further with a penalty when many expected Rovers to keep the pressure on London.

That made it 26-12 at half-time but London were first on the scoreboard after the interval when Luke Dorn's break opened up the Robins' defence on their left and Kieran Dixon slid over.

But the game was over as a contest on the hour when Welham crossed after exchanging passes with Hodgson down the flank and Dobson's conversion made it 32-16.

On their next attack, Rovers scored on the opposite side after Dorn did well to avoid a goal-line drop but it backfired when Graeme Horne went over. Dobson's seventh goal from seven made 38-16.

Dobson was stamping his authority on the game and his chip through and pass sent his half-back partner Green over for his second try in two games. Dobson completed a perfect kicking day to make it 44-16.