Hull KR created history in Amsterdam, but their only pre-season fixture ended in defeat as they went down 26-12 to York Knights. 2,715 were in attendance at the NRCA Stadium, a record crowd for a rugby league game in the Netherlands, and the travelling Robins supporters, as well as the 1,000 plus locals, were able to witness an entertaining contest.

Rovers' team was a mixture of first-team players and younger talent, and so this defeat should be put into context. Only two members of the Grand Final side, Jack Broadbent and Kelepi Tanginoa, featured here. Overall, Rovers will have got what they expected out of this, even if they had hoped for the result.

Danny Ward was put in charge of the contest, with Willie Peters on a watching brief. His starting side featured four new signings as Eribe Doro, Lee Kershaw, Bill Leyland and Leon Ruan all got their first chance to impress.

READ MORE: Three Hull KR players giving Willie Peters selection headaches after Amsterdam Challenge

READ MORE: Danny Ward delivers honest Hull KR verdict amid Amsterdam big picture assessment

Jack Brown was named captain and it should be said that he was among Rovers' top performers on the afternoon. The only major blotch on his record was an error at a play the ball from which York scored. They worked their way up field and after Doro shot out of the line, Jesse Dee was slipped through before rounding Jack Broadbent to score the opening points. Will Dagger, the former Robin, converted.

Rovers did have a spell on the back foot after that but they hit back out of nothing through Louix Gorman. The Ireland representative was the standout performer in the first trial of 2024 and he made his mark here with a brilliant intercept, plucking a pass out of thin air and racing 85 metres to score under the sticks, allowing Danny Richardson to level proceedings.

That spurred on Rovers who had a good spell after that, with the likes of Doro and Kershaw having good touches, and Leyland lively around the ruck.

However, they would be given a punch in the nose soon after. After Rovers missed an opportunity at one end, York went up the other and forced a drop out. There was some fortune in the try itself as Hingan's pass bobbled on the floor and hit the shins of Levi Edwards. But with no knock-on, he was able to ground the ball and put the Championship side back in front. Dagger couldn't convert this time.

However, Leo Tennison would soon arrive on the scene and once he did, he made an almighty impact. With his first involvement, he forced an error with a strong tackle. With his second, he bust through a hole after Doro's deft pass to score. Some impact! Richardson's conversion meant Rovers were ahead 12-10 at the break.

Before the hooter, York had been reduced to twelve men. Ata Hingano was shown a yellow card for gamesmanship after he threw the ball away when a kick he chased went dead.

However, that didn't bother York after the break as they scored quickfire tries. Liam Harris went over first after a weaving run saw him scramble over the line - disappointing defence from a Rovers perspective. After that, Harris was involved again on a short-side play with his bullet pass putting Myles Harrison away to the corner. Both tries came after set restarts. Harris, replacing Dagger on kicking duties, missed.

The game turned scrappy thereafter, the inevitable consequence of the rolling substitutes becoming more apparent as changes were made.

Rovers' effort was there, the likes of Tennison and Gorman working hard while winger Neil Tchamambe had a few nice touches. However, York would go on to score the next and final try. A really neat move saw York play direct to the line, produce two short, sharp passes, and that allowed Connor Bailey to ramp home for the score. Harrison converted.

Hull KR : Jack Broadbent, Harvey Horne, Louix Gorman, Connor Barley, Lee Kershaw, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e, Danny Richardson, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland, Jack Brown, Kelepi Tanginoa, Leon Ruan, Zack Fishwick. Subs: Lennie Ellis, Neil Tchamambe, Leo Tennison, Ajahni Wallace, Freddie Watts, Luke Phoenix, Aaron Powell.

Tries : Gorman (10), Tennison (30)
Goals : Richardson 2/2

York: Will Dagger, Joe Brown, Kieran Buchanan, Levi Edwards, Brad Ward, Ata Hingano, Liam Harris, Jack Martin, Paul McShane, Jordan Thompson, Jesse Dee, Connor Bailey, Jacob Gannon. Subs: Sam Cook, Joe Law, Brendan Santi, Joe Pemberton, Kieran Hudson, Myles Harrison, Oli Field, Jude Ferreira, Conor Fitzsimmons, Jack Teanby.

Tries : Dee (4), Edwards (23), Harris (42), Harrison (45), Bailey (67)
Goals : Dagger 2/3, Harris 0/1, Harrison 1/1