ON the day Hull KR fans had to come to terms with the impending loss of their captain and their star prop, Craig Sandercock's class of 2013 proved there's life in Rovers yet.
In a season which has been built on defying the doubters, Rovers cast aside any recruitment disappointment to remind everyone that while focus has easily been diverted to 2014 with news of departures, the current campaign still holds promise.
A 24-12 victory at St Helens was a fifth in six games as the Robins' continued climb up the Super League table reached a season-high sixth place as they not only leapfrogged city-rivals Hull FC but also put three points between themselves and a St Helens team who were booed off the field at Langtree Park.
While the hosts were abject, Rovers deserve credit with a physical and intense performance that rattled Nathan Brown's men.
The game lacked quality at times in poor conditions, but while they didn't have to be at their best, Rovers were deserving victors on the back of an impressive defensive display.
The Robins' defence needed to be good too on the back of a lop-sided penalty count that could have cost them had Saints not been so woeful in attack.
Michael Dobson proved his worth on the day his departure was confirmed, but while the scrum-half may be leaving for pastures new, in Travis Burns Rovers still boast a quality half-back.
In the opening 20 minutes Burns ripped Saints apart scoring one try, assisting a second and knocking on when he should have had another.
An opening try for Burns, followed by scores for Alex Brown and Greg Eden gave Rovers a 16-0 lead and a platform which they used to secure a fourth successive victory.
Waking up on game day to the confirmed news of two high-profile departures Sandercock shouldn't really have been surprised given his luck so far this season.
Mickey Paea's switch to Hull FC was widely known and yet the timing of the confirmation must have stung ahead of such an important game with a place in the top-six at stake.
Likewise, Newcastle Knights' decision to
announce the capture of Rovers' captain and main influence Dobson was the type of preparation Sandercock and his side could have done without.
Sandercock's luck didn't improve before kick-off either.
Named in the starting 13, Rhys Lovergrove was a late withdrawal as Rovers were forced into a late reshuffle as Richie Beaumont was handed an unexpected call-up to the 17.
Sean Gleeson's illness during the week meant the centre's miserable season continued after only making his debut last week in France.
It meant Graeme Horne replaced Gleeson despite a fractured finger, while Alex Brown came in for Liam Salter on the wing.
There was even a Super League debut for young back-rower Aaron Ollett, who took his place on the bench.
Casting an eye over the club's under-20s side before kick-off alongside assistant Chris Chester, if Sandercock was feeling annoyed or even aggrieved at how his day had elapsed so far he was showing no signs.
That calm demeanour must even have broken out into a smile 10 minutes into the game.
Much has been made of Rovers' attacking prowess this season and they showed why with two early tries that owed everything to the quality of Burns, but it was Rovers' defensive resolve that enabled the visitors take the lead.
David Hodgson raced out from his own try line in the early exchanges to deny Jordan Turner, before Dobson's own try-line heroics prevented opposite number Gareth O'Brien from getting over.
Weathering an early test, Rovers marched down field and showed their hosts how it's done as Burns arced his run from 10 metres out to race through a gap and touchdown.
There was a brief moment of confusion as referee Robert Hicks initially awarded a penalty to the Robins' before his assistant intervened and the score was given. Two minutes after Dobson had converted Rovers were in again.
This time Burns turned provider with his superb kick allowing Eden to follow suit with a chip to the corner which Brown raced on to.
Saints' frustrations spilled over as two scuffles broke out, the second of which brought yellow cards for Paul Wellens and Burns.
The visitors had their hosts rattled.
Building the pressure and not relenting was key and Rovers did just that as Eden supported Cory Paterson's line break to race 30 metres and score.
Only 20 minutes had gone but already Sandercock's side were in a dominant position.
Saints were not going to lie down without a fight and as expected it came, helped in a large part by a mounting penalty count.
Standing resolute and well structured, Rovers' defence held out, while the Saints' own inadequacies hit their hopes too as unlike their opponents, they struggled to play in the conditions.
Three successive sets in front of the Rovers' try line came and went for Saints as they returned back down field frustrated.
It was as close as the hosts came to scoring until 10 minutes after the break they finally did get across the try line through Francis Meli's score in the corner.
O'Brien's touchline conversion meant it was a 10-point game, but a timely penalty in front of the posts shortly after allowed Dobson to extend the advantage to 12.
Rovers again invited pressure as the penalty count escalated to the point a team warning was placed against them.
When Paea caught James Roby with a high tackle soon after the prop found himself in the sin-bin.
KR extended their lead thanks to two more Dobson penalties as the game was taken out of Saints' reach.
Anthony Laffranchi went over for Saints' second try in the dying minutes, but it was too little too late with Dobson having the last say with yet another penalty.
• Reaction: Sandercock's delight at Hull KR spirit
