May hat-trick helps holders Hull KR thump York in cup

Betfred Challenge Cup Hull KR (24) 48 Tries: May 3, Sue, Broadbent, Whitbread, Lewis, Burgess Goals: R. Martin 4, Lewis 3, Litten York (6) 10 Tries: Va'a, Harrison Goals: Harrison Tyrone May claimed a hat-trick as holders Hull Kingston Rovers reached the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a dominant display against York Knights. The Super League newcomers shocked last season's treble winners with a victory on the opening night of the season in February, but this time they ran into a side which was out for revenge and in no mood to give up the first of those trophies they won in 2025.

May opened the scoring after 90 seconds and added two more tries inside three minutes in the second half as Rovers suffocated a side which had only won one Super League game since that momentous victory two months ago. Willie Peters' side made it five wins from the past six in all competitions as Sauaso Sue, Jack Broadbent, Jai Whitbread, Mikey Lewis and Joe Burgess all went over the line, with Xavier Va'a and Myles Harrison replying for the away side. York made a little bit of history when they pulled off that win at the York Community Stadium, but injuries have bitten deep into their squad, and they had four loan players on the field at Sewell Group Craven Park against a Rovers side that is now in full flow.

Lewis made a break as the Robins attacked from the start and when Oliver Gildart supported him and fed May, the writing was already on the wall for York, who started sluggishly. Sue barged over the line from a pass by the ubiquitous Jez Litten, but York threatened to make a game of it as the wind blew Lewis' goal-line drop-out short, and Xavier Va'a made use of the attacking platform to barge over. The response was instant as Lewis fed Broadbent for a try and Whitbread muscled his way over, while Rhyse Martin, back from injury, kicked a penalty and two conversions to put distance between the sides at half-time.

Lewis conjured a typical piece of magic shortly into the second half, chipping ahead, leaping high to get a controlling touch to the ball after it bounced awkwardly high, before acrobatically touching down just before he ran out of in-goal. Harrison, one of York's four loanees, scored in the corner, but the procession continued for the hosts as May struck twice in quick succession to secure the first hat-trick of his 12-year senior career, and Joe Burgess finished spectacularly in the corner as the full-time hooter sounded. Reaction - 'We were outplayed' Hull KR boss Willie Peters told BBC Sport: "There's things I really liked but there's things we need to do better, that's for sure.