Hull KR 26 St Helens 18: Hall produces Cup shock

Rovers winger Hall had already crossed for one when he broke through again in the 33rd minute only to be felled by a crude high tackle from Francis Meli.

The Saints wideman was red-carded - the visitors had already seen Jon Wilkin and Ade Gardner put on report for late challenges - and Hall immediately made him pay to put the hosts 16-6 up at the interval.

Mickey Paea had also crashed over after Rovers’ forwards terrorised their counterparts early on and shellshocked Saints - seven times winners in the summer era - were knocked out at the first stage for the first time in 18 years.

However, it did not come easy for Craig Sandercock’s men.

The visitors fought back brilliantly with tries from Paul Wellens and Mark Percival to take an unlikely 18-16 lead in the 51st minute.

It needed dazzling full-back Eden - who came up with some massive defensive plays - to slice through to put them back in charge before he set up another for Liam Salter near the end as relieved Rovers recovered to make Monday’s draw.