Robins coach Justin Morgan put out a young side against York

Hull Kingston Rovers sent a youthful side to York City Knights and were beaten 14-12 in a pre-season friendly.

John Gay and Liam Welham scored the Robins' tries in a game that saw young half-back Ben Hardcastle carried off with a suspected broken leg.

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan told BBC Radio Humberside: "I thought they were excellent and the spirit and the way they played the game was great.

"Across the board I'm very pleased and it's a good sign for the future."

First-team regulars Makali Aizuee, Scott Wheeldon and Rhys Lovegrove did play but the onus was on the young players to impress the coach.

And Morgan said quite a few did just that, adding: "You have to remember for these players it's the first time in this environment.

"They've had two training sessions together as a team and I thought their professionalism in the way they approached the game was great."

Rovers have one more friendly, against Salford at Craven Park on Friday, before the big kick-off to Super League XIV at Bradford Bulls on Sunday, 15 February.

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