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Hull KR triumph over St Helens to secure Grand Final place and keep treble dream alive Hull Kingston Rovers defeated St Helens 20-12 in the Super League Play-off Semi-Final at Sewell Group Craven Park on Saturday, securing their place in the title decider and moving them one step closer to a historic domestic treble. The victory, played out in front of a capacity crowd in Hull, was defined by the Robins' relentless defensive pressure in the first half and two decisive second-half tries from centre Oliver Gildart. For four-time champions St Helens, the defeat brings their 2025 campaign to an abrupt close, raising questions about their inconsistent form this season under head coach Paul Wellens. The match served as a tense, high-stakes encounter, with the winner earning the right to face reigning champions Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final at Old Trafford next weekend. First Half Dominance Defines Robins’ Control Hull KR, who had earned a week off after securing the League Leaders' Shield, started the match with an intensity that suffocated the visitors. St Helens were unable to register a single play-the-ball inside the Rovers' 20-metre zone during a highly disciplined first 40 minutes, a statistic that underscores the home side's commitment in defence. Rovers quickly established a lead, with a penalty kick from Arthur Mourgue providing the opening points. The first try arrived courtesy of half-back Mikey Lewis, who benefited from slick passing play, culminating in a well-timed offload from Joe Burgess to cross the line. Burgess himself followed up shortly after, scoring the second try as the Robins' left edge proved consistently dangerous. With Mourgue adding the conversions, Hull KR went into the break with a commanding 12-0 advantage.
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St Helens looked weary and disjointed, a contrast to the heroic efforts required in their previous week's Elimination Final victory over Leeds Rhinos, which was secured by Shane Wright’s dramatic try after the final hooter. Saints Fight Back Before Gildart Clinches Victory The visitors emerged from the dressing room with renewed purpose in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, winger Deon Cross crossed the line, capitalising on a rare period of sustained pressure inside the Rovers' red zone. Mark Percival converted, halving the deficit to 12-6 and injecting a tense layer of intrigue into the semi-final. The match remained finely poised through the middle period of the half, characterised by robust midfield exchanges and strategic kicking. However, the momentum swung decisively back to the home side in the final quarter. Oliver Gildart, returning to the club this season, proved the difference-maker. The centre struck in the 63rd minute, finishing off a sweeping move to restore Rovers' two-score lead. He then added his second try just eight minutes later, pushing the score to 20-6 and placing the outcome beyond reasonable doubt. Although St Helens winger Harry Robertson scored a late consolation try in the 75th minute, it was too late to affect the final result.
Speaking after the victory, Hull KR coach Willie Peters credited the character shown by his side, contrasting it with their Grand Final appearance a year prior. “I don't think we were ready to win last year,” Peters stated. “We've shown this year we've been the most consistent side, and that consistency and resilience shone through in the way we defended in that first half. ” Historic Treble Beckons for Hull KR For Hull KR, the victory is the latest milestone in what has become the club's most successful modern era. Having already claimed the Challenge Cup earlier in the summer and the League Leaders' Shield at the close of the regular season, the Robins now stand on the precipice of securing a historic domestic treble—a feat only achieved by an elite few clubs in rugby league history. This success marks a significant departure from their previous reputation as a side often falling short in major finals, something the club has worked hard to shed over the past two seasons. Conversely, the defeat signals a potentially challenging off-season for St Helens. The club has experienced an uncharacteristic dip in form throughout the year, especially when facing the top-three sides away from home. Their failure to reach the Grand Final, having dominated the competition for much of the previous half-decade, has prompted scrutiny of their head coaching position. Paul Wellens, whose contract is understood to expire next month, was hesitant to speculate on his future following the final whistle.
“It's hugely disappointing to miss out on the Grand Final,” Wellens commented, but added, “It's not something I want to get caught up in right now. ” He praised the "grit and resolve" his players showed to fight back in the second half but conceded that they ultimately lacked the attacking cohesion required to defeat a team of Hull KR’s quality. The attention now immediately shifts to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford next Saturday, where Hull KR will meet the Wigan Warriors in a highly anticipated contest. The two dominant teams of the 2025 season will clash, with Wigan aiming for a third successive title, while Hull KR seeks to cement their current team as one of the greatest in the club’s history by securing an unprecedented treble. The outcome of the Hull KR v St Helens semi-final confirms a renewal of the fierce rivalry between the League Leaders and the reigning champions in what promises to be an explosive final fixture of the season. This video captures the highlights from the dramatic Super League Semi-Final between the two clubs. Hull KR vs St Helens | 2025 Betfred Super League, Semi-Final 2.
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