Lipowicz Double As Catalans Pile Misery On Hull KR

21 March 2026


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Catalans (14) 26


Tries: Lipowicz 2, Navarrete, Marc Goals: Sexton 5


Hull KR (6) 20


Tries: May, Burgess, Amone Goals: Lewis 4


Reigning Super League champs Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a third defeat in their opening four video games as Catalans Dragons made a remarkable 26-20 success in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champs last month, but the French side were exceptional as 2 tries from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It looked like Rovers, in spite of an unconvincing display screen, were hauling their method back towards triumph as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled the scores.


In a remarkable finale, Catalans increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which enhances them as much as seventh location.


It seemed like Rovers were finding their feet after losing their two opening video games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league component and recently's Challenge Cup meeting.


That proved to be a false dawn, nevertheless, as they showed protective weaknesses, poor discipline at key minutes and a lack of the style which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a practice of blowing hot and cold, were outstanding even though they lost three forwards to injury, forcing using their 18th male Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had actually started well enough as May, in his 100th Super League look and playing versus his former club, bounced off a deal with and stepped over the line.


But Catalans developed dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended out to touch down after being dealt with except the line.


The Dragons lost outstanding prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and after that Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle issue in fast succession however it did not interrupt their flow as Sexton's charge and his conversion of a 2nd try for Lipowicz had them 14-6 up at half time.


The home side even rode the loss of Dodd to extend their lead through Navarrete, however as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins began to get on top.


Oliver GIldart released Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League try, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a penalty to square it up and a KR comeback win looked inevitable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the winning moment however he unwisely attempted to offload, Dragons regained ownership and when they launched one last attack teenager Marc sparked mass events by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.


'A lot of mistakes and response


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves however you have to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy group who strive for each other and they discovered a method at the back end.


"But when I look at our efficiency, simply so numerous errors and penalties which put us in a bad position.


"What I was proud of was the method we resisted, we put ourselves back in the game but at the back end we were trying to find the fast repair as we desired the video game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into the end, however throughout the video game.


"My job now is to evaluate it, look through it and take ownership but when you're playing, players play the video game.


"They put themselves in a position to win however there was a duration where we did discover some flow, hold the footy and ask some questions, and when it was time to safeguard our line we did. We didn't do that for long enough periods."


Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Laulu-Togagae, Faatape, Marc; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Lipowicz, Laguerre, Garcia.


Interchanges: Satae, Bousquet, Leeming, Chan, Wilson (18th guy).


Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitehead, Batchelor, Minchella.


Interchanges: Amone, Luckley, Whitbread, Leyland.


Referee: Jack Smith.


Hull Kingston Rovers


Catalans Dragons