Champions Hull KR thrash Castleford to keep up fine run

Hull KR lost three of their first four games this season before finding form [Getty Images]

Betfred Super League

Hull KR (34) 50

Tries: Lawton 2, Amone, Davies 3, Hadley, Lewis, Burgess Goals: Martin 7

Castleford Tigers (0) 6

Tries: Mapapalangi Goals: Asi

Reigning champions Hull KR completed a 100% winning run in April by demolishing Castleford 50-6 at Craven Park to close the gap on leaders Leeds to two points.

After a sluggish start to their title defence, Hull KR have become a juggernaut again and made it six straight victories in all competitions with a commanding, one-sided win.

Treble-winning coach Willie Peters is leaving at the end of the season for Papua New Guinea but is now seeing his side back to their best.

They had gone 40 years without a league title before they beat Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final in October and look like contenders once more as they move up to third place.

Conversely, Castleford shipped 50 points to Hull FC a week ago and will be sick of the sight of teams from the eastern end of the M62 after another hefty defeat.

The visitors put in an error-strewn first-half, missing 22 tackles, and were punished by the ruthless champions.

Karl Lawton opened the scoring after KR jumped on a loose ball and soon took advantage of more sleepy defending to drive through a gap and over for his second.

Castleford could not gain any territory or momentum and the Robins soon had a third when debutant Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e lost the ball in a tackle just a few metres out and Tom Amone scooped up to score.