He might have been the last person back in the building for pre-season but Tyrone May hit the ground running during his first run-out of 2025. The Hull KR halfback was the best player on the field during Rovers' Challenge Cup victory over York Knights, producing big moments on both sides of the game in what was an excellent first performance of year.

There is a tendency for May's work to go unnoticed at times but he caught the eye on Friday night. He was the creator and facilitator of several Hull KR tries and defensively he came up with two big moments, producing an important tackle during York's spell in the opening quarter then dislodging the ball from a Knights players later in the half, from which Rovers scored from.

The former Penrith Panther was the man who set Peta Hiku away before Rhyse Martin's second try, producing a delightful long cut-out ball on the next play which allowed Mikey Lewis to put Martin to the line. He subsequently put Kelepi Tanginoa over the line with a late assist.

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It was an excellent performance from May, who has returned to Craven Park refreshed and refocused. Willie Peters believes that has come as a result of the pain he has felt during the last two years of his career.

"Since he's come back, he's had a different approach to his game," Peters said.

"He seems to be in a really good spot and that transferred onto the field. He's a key member of our team and his class showed today.

"He's hungry, he's played in a couple of Grand Finals now and just fallen short. He's hungry to win a competition, he's settled into the environment now and his good mate is here, Micky McIlorum, they live together and he's happy off the field, he's had a daughter. He's settled."

Most of the focus was on Rovers' four debutants, who all had their moments at the LNER Community Stadium. Peters commented on them all, as well as one of the club's longest-serving players.

"They all played and will get better," Peters said. The conditions, it was slippery at times. Jared has come over and has got to get used to the conditions, it takes time. Rhyse has been here a long time and you could see he felt really comfortable.

"Micky did the first 30 minutes, got our line speed going, made his tackles, then we got Jez on to add spark and I thought he did a tremendous job, I was really pleased with Jez Litten. It wasn't just attack but him getting off the line and hitting players. It's a really good start for him."