There have been some unforgettable moments inside Craven Park this year, but when Tyrone May crossed under the posts to secure a first League Leaders’ Shield for Hull KR, it was hard not to feel a combination of euphoria, emotion and ultimately relief around this famous old ground.
Finishing top of the table has never quite felt as important as it should do in Super League given the big prize is still to be handed out, but for a club that have not achieved that feat since 1985, you always suspected this would be celebrated with proper merit. Having not won a trophy for 40 years, Hull KR have won two inside four months, and are now two wins away from an historic treble.
Top also brings the significant reward of a bye through the opening week of the playoffs, so there will be time to celebrate this moment, and enjoy it for what it is. But knowing Hull KR’s coach, Willie Peters, as we do, you suspect he will have already turned his attention to winning the Grand Final in a month’s time.
Because what felt like a formality for most of this season ended up becoming a nerve-shredding final few weeks. The Robins have set high standards throughout 2025 but in recent weeks they have began to stutter. They needed just one point from their final two games to secure top, but a shock loss to Wakefield last week meant it went to the final round.
Then, with 15 minutes remaining here, they trailed a spirited and youthful Warrington Wolves side 20-16 and the prospect of top spot going to Wigan on Friday evening was suddenly not out of the question. But good teams find a way, and after Arthur Mourgue’s long-range try put Hull KR back in front, May sealed it.
“It obviously got worrying towards the back end but I was comfortable,” Peters said. “We’ve not been shy about saying we want to go after trophies. There’s been two on offer and we’ve won two … but there’s one to go.” That is the Grand Final, with Hull KR now hosting the lowest-ranked winner from next weekend in a bid to reach Old Trafford again.
They overcame a sluggish start here to lead 16-6 with a try from May and two from Noah Booth. At that stage, you felt they would close it out with minimal fuss. However, Warrington, whose season was over weeks ago, deserve immense credit for silencing a Craven Park crowd who came for a party but were left clinging to the edges of their seats.
First, Sam Stone collected a Ewan Irwin kick before two tries in six minutes courtesy of Adam Holroyd and Josh Thewlis turned the game on its head. Suddenly, Warrington led 20-16 and a huge upset was possible. The loudest cheers probably came across the Pennines from Wigan, who suddenly thought they could claim top with a big win over Leeds on Friday.
But ultimately, the Robins held their nerve when it mattered as Mourgue broke free to put them back ahead, before May’s second clinched victory and sparked jubilant scenes. This is a night no Hull KR fan will forget in a hurry.
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But as their coach pointed out post-match, the one they really want is still two victories away. Their season, in truth, starts right now.
Hull KR Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Booth; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Interchange Luckley, Whitbread, Martin, Broadbent. Tries May 2, Booth, Mourgue. Goals Martin 4. Warrington Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, King, Dufty, Jake Thewlis; Irwin, Sneyd; Philbin, Walker, Thomas, Stone, Holroyd, Matterson. Interchange Powell, Green, Wood, McKinney. Tries Josh Thewlis 2, Stone, Holroyd. Goals Sneyd 2. Referee Alan Moore.