2006 Hull Kingston Rovers season

Hull Kingston Rovers 2006 season
2006 National League One champions
National League One Rank1st
Play-off resultWinners
Challenge CupSemi-finals
National League CupRunners-up
2006 recordWins: 29; draws: 0; losses: 4
Points scoredFor: 705; against: 338
Team information
ChairmanNeil Hudgell
Head CoachJustin Morgan
Captain
StadiumCraven Park
Avg. attendance4,049
High attendance7,012
Warrington Wolves, 4 June
Low attendance1,748
York Acorn, 12 March
Top scorers
TriesBen Cockayne (17)
GoalsGareth Morton (59)
PointsGareth Morton (146)[1]
← 2005 List of seasons 2007 →

The 2006 season was Hull Kingston Rovers' ninth consecutive season playing in England's second tier of rugby league. During the season, they competed in the 2006 National League Cup, the 2006 National League One season, and the 2006 Challenge Cup.

2006 was Hull Kingston Rovers' first season in which they fielded a squad of fully professional players, funded by sponsorships from companies such as Lloyds TSB.[2][3] The club's victory in the National League One final against Widnes Vikings resulted in their promotion to the Super League, marking Hull Kingston Rovers' return to top-flight rugby league for the first time in 20 years.

Preseason friendlies

Date and time Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
8 January[a] Hull F.C. A KC Stadium L 6–34 Goddard Morton (1/1) 12,737 [4][5]
22 January Sheffield Eagles A Don Valley Stadium W 44–24 Ford (2), Goddard, Garmston, Rivett, Murrell, Walker, Williams Morton (2/4), Couturier (4/4) 1,164 [6]
27 January[b] Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium L 12–28 Murrell, Cockayne Morton (2/2) 5,800 [7]
5 February Gateshead Thunder A Gateshead International Stadium L 10–28 K. Welham, Brett Skelton (1/2) 287 [8]

National League Cup

Hull Kingston Rovers, defending champions of the 2005 cup, were drawn into Group 6 of the 2006 National League Cup:

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
12 February; 16:00 Round 1 York City Knights A Huntington Stadium W 32–2 Morrison, Ford, Murrell, Fisher, Smith Morton (1/1), Murrell (1/1), Couturier (3/3) 2,809 Not televised [9]
19 February Round 2 Featherstone Rovers A[c] Post Office Road W 32–6 Cockayne (2), Murrell (2), Smith Morton (4/4), Couturier (2/3) 2,046 Not televised [11]
24 February Round 3 Sheffield Eagles A Don Valley Stadium W 44–22 Cockayne (2), Steel (2), Gallagher, Barker, Ford, Goddard Couturier (5/7), Morton (1/2) 1,347 Not televised [12]
5 March Round 4 Featherstone Rovers H Craven Park W 50–18 Couturier (3), Goddard, Williams, Morton, Webster, Tangata-Toa, Murrell Morton (5/6), Couturier (2/3) 3,130 Not televised [13]
19 March Round 5 York City Knights H Craven Park W 52–14 Ford (5), Smith (2), Joseph, Steel, Fisher Morton (1/2), Couturier (4/6), Murrell (1/3) 2,649 Not televised [14]
26 March Round 6 Sheffield Eagles H Craven Park W 52–12 Ford (4), Morrison, Gallagher, Couturier, Goddard, Murrell Couturier (7/8), Murrell (1/1) 2,314 Not televised [15]
23 April Round of 16 Halifax R.L.F.C. H Craven Park W 88–6 Steel (2), Ford (2), Smith (2), Goddard (2), Aizue (2), Couturier (2), Barker, Joseph, Morton Couturier (14/15)[d] 2,306 Not televised [17]
7 May Quarter-finals Whitehaven R.L.F.C. H Craven Park W 37–10 Morton (2), Tangata-Toa, Gallagher, Cockayne, Steel Morton (6/7)
Drop goals Murrell 		2,366 Not televised [18]
18 June Semi-finals Doncaster Lakers H Craven Park W 38–6 Ford (2), Morrison, Gallagher, Webster, Cockayne Morton (6/6), Couturier (1/1) 3,016 Not televised [19][20]
16 July Final Leigh Centurions N Bloomfield Road L 18–22 Goddard, Ford, Cockayne Morton (2/3 + 1 pen.) 7,547 Sky Sports 2 [21][22]

National League One

Main article: 2006 Rugby League National Leagues § National League One

Fixtures

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Pos. Report
9 April Round 1 Oldham Roughyeds A Boundary Park W 48–8 Webster (3), Murrell (2), Couturier, Gallagher, Cockayne, Rivett Couturier (6/9) 1,658 1st [23]
14 April Round 2 York City Knights A Huntington Stadium W 51–18 Couturier (2), Smith, Steel, Webster, Aizue, Rivett, Cockayne, Goddard Couturier (7/9)
Drop goals Webster 		2,822 2nd [24]
17 April Round 3 Leigh Centurions H Craven Park W 30–6 Goddard, Rivett, Steel, Murrell, Fisher, Joseph Couturier (2/6)
Drop goals Webster (2) 		4,647 1st [25]
30 April Round 4 Halifax R.L.F.C. H Craven Park W 30–22 Cockayne (2), Netherton, Gallagher, Goddard Couturier (5/5) 3,045 1st [26]
14 May Round 5 Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 42–28 Cockayne (2), Gallagher (2), Morton, Murrell, Webster, Goddard, Morton Morton (7/8) 4,331 1st [27]
28 May Round 6 Oldham Roughyeds H Craven Park W 80–6 Steel (3), Smith (2), Martins, Gallagher, Webster, Murrell, Ford, Joseph, Price Morton (12/14) 2,859 1st [28]
7 June Round 7 Doncaster Lakers A Belle Vue W 28–24 Ellis, Goddard, Murrell, Gallagher, Webster Murrell (3/6 + 1 pen.) 2,190 1st [29]
11 June Round 8 Whitehaven R.L.F.C. H Craven Park W 74–12 Fisher (3), Morton (3), Steel (3), Cockayne (2), Joseph, Rivett Morton (11/14) 3,151 1st [30]
25 June; 12:45[e] Round 9 Rochdale Hornets A Spotland Stadium W 66–16 Cockayne (3), Ford (2), Tangata-Toa (2), Aizue, Murrell, Joseph, Morrison, Morton Morton (9/12) 1,131 1st [31]
2 July Round 10 Batley Bulldogs H Craven Park W 42–8 Ford (3), Webster, Morton, Murrell, Cockayne, Rivett Morton (3/5), Couturier (2/3) 3,013 1st [32]
9 July Round 11 Halifax R.L.F.C. A The Shay W 38–14 Gallagher (2), Goddard (2), Webster, Fisher, Ford Morton (5/8), Couturier (0/1) 2,106 1st [33]
23 July Round 12 Widnes Vikings H Craven Park W 49–24 Steel (2), Webster (2), Netherton (2), Cockayne, Goddard, Whittle Couturier (4/5), Morton (2/5)
Drop goals Webster 		4,128 1st [34]
2 August Round 13 York City Knights H Craven Park W 21–10 Aizue, Cockayne, Fisher, Steel Brooks (1/1), Weisner (1/3) 3,036 1st [35]
6 August Round 14 Leigh Centurions A Hilton Park L 10–36 K. Welham, Joseph Couturier (1/2) 2,810 1st [36]
13 August Round 15 Rochdale Hornets H Craven Park W 26–12 Cockayne, Gallagher, Goddard, Webster, Smith Weisner (3/5) 3,111 1st [37]
20 August Round 16 Whitehaven R.L.F.C. A Recreation Ground L 12–48 Brooks, Ellis Couturier (2/2) 2,063 1st [38]
3 September Round 17 Batley Bulldogs A Mount Pleasant W 28–24 Ford (2), Webster, Steel, Weisner Couturier (4/5) 2,027 1st [39]
10 September Round 18 Doncaster Lakers H Craven Park W 30–22 Ford (2), Smith, Tangata-Toa, Cockayne Couturier (3/5 + 2 pen.) 3,631 1st [40]

Table

This section is an excerpt from 2006 Rugby League National Leagues § Table.[edit]
Pos Club Pld W D L Pts for Pts agst Pts Qualification
1 Hull Kingston Rovers 18 16 0 2 705 338 32 Play-off Semi-final
2 Widnes Vikings 18 14 0 4 729 449 28
3 Leigh Centurions 18 13 0 5 549 334 26 Elimination Finals
4 Whitehaven 18 12 1 5 516 408 25
5 Rochdale Hornets 18 8 0 10 462 435 16
6 Batley Bulldogs 18 8 0 10 393 467 16
7 Halifax 18 7 0 11 461 508 14
8 Doncaster 18 6 1 11 458 533 13
9 York City Knights 18 5 0 13 476 553 10 Relegated to National League Two
10 Oldham 18 0 0 18 220 944 0

Play-offs

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
24 September; 15:00 Semi-finals Widnes Vikings H Craven Park W 29–22 Aizue, Steel, Cockayne, Fisher Morton (4/4 + 2 pen.)
Drop goals Murrell 		6,872 [41]
8 October, 15:00 Final Widnes Vikings N Halliwell Jones Stadium W 29–16 Goddard (2), Ford, Murrell, Weisner Morton (4/5)
Drop goals Murrell 		13,024 [42]

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2006 Challenge Cup
Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
12 March Round 3 York Acorn H Craven Park W 62–1 Goddard (3), Morton (3), Rivett (2), Smith (2), Fisher, Gallagher Morton (6/9), Couturier (1/3) 1,748 Not televised [43]
2 April; 15:30 Round 4 Hunslet R.L.F.C. A South Leeds Stadium W 22–0 Cockayne, Rivett, Fisher, Stephenson Couturier (3/4) 1,259 Not televised [44]
21 May; 15:30 Round 5 Featherstone Rovers H Craven Park W 44–12 Fisher, Netherton, Barker, Murrell, Rivett, Smith, Goddard, Cockayne Couturier (3/4), Murrell (3/3), Smith (0/1) 2,432 Not televised [45]
4 June; 14:05 Quarter-finals Warrington Wolves H Craven Park W 40–36 Ford (3), Cockayne, Aizue, Goddard, Morton, Barker Morton (4/9) 7,012 BBC Two [46]
29 June; 12:30 Semi-finals St Helens N Kirklees Stadium L 0–50 12,868 BBC One [47]

Transfers

Gains

Player Club Contract Date
Ben Cockayne Doncaster Lakers 2005
Ben Fisher Halifax R.L.F.C. 2005
Jon Goddard Oldham Roughyeds 2005
Kirk Netherton Doncaster Lakers 2005
Gareth Price Rochdale Hornets 1 year 2005[48]
Desi Williams Wigan Warriors 1 year September 2005[49]
Iain Morrison Huddersfield Giants October 2005[50]
Francis Stephenson London Broncos 2 years October 2005[51]
Phil Joseph Swinton Lions October 2005[52]
Scott Murrell Leeds Rhinos December 2005[53]

Loans in

Player Club Loan period Date
Sébastien Martins Catalans Dragons One month May 2006[54]
Jon Whittle Castleford Tigers End of season July 2006[55]
Matty Brooks Bradford Bulls One month July 2006[56]
Pat Weisner Harlequins RL End of season July 2006[57]

Losses

Player Club Contract Date
Dale Holdstock Sheffield Eagles 2005
Andy Raleigh Huddersfield Giants 2 years September 2005[58]
Paul Fletcher Sheffield Eagles 1 year September 2005[59]
Phil Hasty York City Knights September 2005[60]
Kane Epati Doncaster Lakers September 2005[49]
Paul Pickering Sheffield Eagles September 2005[49]
Loz Wildbore Doncaster Lakers September 2005[49]
Mark Blanchard York City Knights October 2005[61]
Jamie Bovill York City Knights Part-time November 2005[62]
Alasdair McClarron Sheffield Eagles January 2006[63]

Loans out

Player Club Loan period Date
Phil Joseph Celtic Crusaders End of season July 2006[64]

Squad

2006 Hull Kingston Rovers Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • (gk) = Goal kicker

Updated: 17 January 2006
Source(s): First team, Coaching staff

Notes

  1. ^ Clive Sullivan Memorial Trophy
  2. ^ Robbie Hunter-Paul testimonial match
  3. ^ Venue switched to Featherstone due to newly-laid pitch at Craven Park.[10]
  4. ^ Until the record was broken by Rhyse Martin in 2026, Couturier's goals during this fixture tied him alongside Alf Carmichael, Mike Fletcher and Colin Armstrong as Hull Kingston Rovers' highest goal scorer in a single fixture.[16]
  5. ^ Kick-off changed to 12:45 to prevent clashing with England vs Ecuador World Cup fixture.[31]

References

  1. ^ "National League One 2006 - Hull Kingston Rovers". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  2. ^ Ledger, John (24 December 2005). "Robins set to fly high again". The Yorkshire Post. Leeds. p. 1. ProQuest 335292346. That extra [sponsorship] income will enable Rovers to become the only existing National League One club to have a full-time squad next season, when the level of competition will be even greater than it was this summer following the relegation from Super League of Leigh and Widnes.
  3. ^ "Big bank's backing the Robins!". Hull Kingston Rovers. 30 November 2005. Archived from the original on 2 December 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Domic on mark as Hull sink Rovers". BBC Sport. 8 January 2006. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Morgan's Robins battle bravely". Hull Kingston Rovers. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Sheffield Eagles 24 Hull KR 44". Hull Kingston Rovers. 23 January 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Bradford Bulls 28 Hull KR 12". Hull Kingston Rovers. 28 January 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2006.
  8. ^ Bowron, Jeff (6 February 2006). "Thunder struggle to find form". The Journal. Newcastle upon Tyne. p. 52. ProQuest 350716765.
  9. ^ "Knights 2, Hull KR 32". The Press. York. 13 February 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Eagles will offer Morgan better gauge of Hull KR's chances". The Yorkshire Post. Leeds. 21 January 2006. p. 1. ProQuest 350748140. Hull KR, meanwhile, have switched their Northern Rail Cup tie with Featherstone Rovers on February 19 to Post Office Road to protect the newly-laid Craven Park pitch.
  11. ^ "Sporting digest". The Independent. London. 20 February 2006. p. 65. Retrieved 21 December 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Sporting digest". The Independent. London. 25 February 2006. p. 54. Retrieved 21 December 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Sporting digest". The Independent. London. 6 March 2006. p. 61. Retrieved 21 December 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Hull KR 52, York City Knights 14". The Press. York. 20 March 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Sporting digest". The Independent. London. 27 March 2006. p. 61. Retrieved 21 December 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Club honours & records". Hull Kingston Rovers. Archived from the original on 30 December 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
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  20. ^ "Morgan on the march". Hull Daily Mail. 19 June 2006. p. 56. ProQuest 333555289.
  21. ^ Parkinson, Dave (6 February 2012). "NRC Moments: Leigh stun Hull KR". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
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  23. ^ Wilson, Andy (10 April 2006). "Webster leads the way as Robins take flight". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  24. ^ "18 Knights; 51 Hull KR". The Press. York. 15 April 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  25. ^ Hulme, Mike (20 April 2006). "Centurions limp home to lick wounds". Leigh Journal. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
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  27. ^ McGrath, Mike (15 May 2006). "Widnes the latest victims of record-breaking Hull KR". Liverpool Daily Post. p. 56. ProQuest 341644988.
  28. ^ "HKR equal record with 14-try romp". Hull Daily Mail. 29 May 2006. p. 30. ProQuest 333566665.
  29. ^ "Rovers continue winning streak". Hull Daily Mail. 8 June 2006. p. 62. ProQuest 333550980.
  30. ^ "Morgan: Rest was justified by superb win". Hull Daily Mail. 12 June 2006. p. 56. ProQuest 333573870.
  31. ^ a b "Hornets hammered". Hull Daily Mail. 26 June 2006. p. 28. ProQuest 333583489.
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  34. ^ "Webster inspires return to winning ways". Hull Daily Mail. 24 July 2006. p. 30. ProQuest 333583428.
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  37. ^ "Morgan has time to pick and choose". Hull Daily Mail. 14 August 2006. p. 36. ProQuest 333552016.
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  40. ^ "Trophy time, but another scratchy win". Hull Daily Mail. 11 September 2006. p. 34. ProQuest 333598573.
  41. ^ "Hull KR close in on Super League". BBC Sport. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  42. ^ "Hull KR win place in Super League". BBC Sport. 8 October 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  43. ^ "Acorn down but not out". The Press. York. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  44. ^ "Scoreboard". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 3 April 2006. p. 11. Retrieved 20 December 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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  46. ^ "Hull KR 40-36 Warrington". BBC Sport. 4 June 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  47. ^ "Super Saints book cup final berth". BBC Sport. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  48. ^ "Price off to Hull KR as Hornets' search goes on". Manchester Evening News. 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  49. ^ a b c d Lloyd, Gwilym (29 September 2005). "Mass exodus from Robins' nest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  50. ^ Hadfield, Dave (8 October 2005). "Castleford suffer Eagar injury blow". The Independent. London. p. 64. Retrieved 21 December 2025. The Batley centre, Iain Marsh has been brought into the Scotland squad for the European Nations Cup as a replacement for Hull KR's new signing from Huddersfield, Iain Morrison, who has withdrawn for personal reasons.
  51. ^ Slater, Gary (18 October 2005). "Five uncapped players given chance by Britain". The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 19. ProQuest 321290045. Francis Stephenson, 28, the former Wakefield and Wigan prop, has joined National League One club Hull KR on a two-year contract.
  52. ^ "Lions make plans for next season". The Bolton News. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2025. Lions have also lost the services of Phil Joseph, who has joined Hull KR on a full-time contract.
  53. ^ Wilson, Andy (15 December 2005). "Deacon targets early comeback after 'lethal' Vagana tackle". The Guardian. London. p. 10. Retrieved 21 December 2025. However, another target, Scott Murrell, a former England Under-18 half-back, will join Hull KR in National League One from Leeds.
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  57. ^ "Weisner eyes up promotion". Hull Daily Mail. 29 July 2006. p. 52. ProQuest 333581091.
  58. ^ "Raleigh seals Huddersfield switch". BBC Sport. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  59. ^ Hadfield, Dave (24 September 2005). "Cooke confident Hull can stay on boil for play-off". The Independent. London. p. 66. Retrieved 21 December 2025. Rovers' long-serving forward, Paul Fletcher, who was released in mid-season, is to play with Sheffield next year.
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