Hull KR 40 Crusaders 22: Only try is missing for Mason on Rovers’ bow

He was named as man of the match by the sponsors and it would be hard to deny him the accolade after a slick showing, which saw him run and tackle with purpose and have a hand in two of their seven tries.

It was an offload from Mason that laid the platform for his side’s opening score after six minutes, setting Shaun Briscoe free and, after Blake Green had also burst through, captain Ben Galea was on hand to score.

Crusaders’ defenders were then foxed by Green’s kick, allowing Craig Hall to put Scott Murrell in for a second try. In the 17th minute, Mason side-stepped his way through before handing a pass inside to Liam Watts who did the rest between the posts.

Crusaders then got on the board thanks to Stuart Reardon, but Rovers underlined their dominance with a fourth try a minute before the break, with Hall, who converted all four, taking a pass from Kris Welham before putting his centre back in.

Clint Newton’s delayed pass allowed Jake Webster to end any doubt about the final outcome, with Green then going over the line from close range.

He then got a glare from Mason when he failed to play the star attraction in for what would have been a walk-in score.

Jarrod Sammut jinked his way in for a consolation try for the Crusaders, his fifth of the season, and even when Peter Lupton and Reardon followed him in with scores in the corner, the end result remained in little doubt, especially after Welham broke away for his second score.

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Webster, Welham, Hall, Green, Murrell, Watts, Fisher, Netherton, Newton, Mason, Galea. Substitutes: Wheeldon, Cockayne, Hodgson, Lovegrove.

Crusaders: Schifcofske, Reardon, Martin, Mellars, R. Williams, Witt, Sammut, O’Hara, Withers, Bryant, Lupton, Chan, Flower. Substitutes: Moore, Dudson, White, Murphy.

Referee: R Hicks (RFL).