Hull KR chief's fury after Cup exit shock

Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell has promised to "smoke out" what he has described as "dishonest people" at the Super League club.

Hudgell's extraordinary attack came in the wake of Rovers' 36-22 Challenge Cup defeat to Oldham Roughyeds at the Lightstream Stadium.

Rovers were Challenge Cup runners-up last season, but less than eight months on they were dumped out of the competition by a team fourth from bottom of the second tier.

And after seeing the Rovers players booed off by what remained of the 3,056 supporters who braved the cold conditions, Hudgell took to social media to vent his frustrations.

"Credit to Oldham, they were deserved winners. Really pleased for Chris Hamilton after nearly 20 years owning the club," Hudgell wrote on his official Twitter account.

"Ordinarily, I keep things in house, but today was a step too far. My first thoughts are with our fans who have been embarrassed and short-changed.

"They spend money following us they can ill afford, and deserve way better.

"Apologies are not enough, action has to trump words. Too many cheap words by too many people who haven't bought into what we are trying to deliver.

"We have dishonest people in our club, and they will be smoked out.

"Changes will be made, and we will be better for it. I can assure all our supporters we are working tirelessly to deliver that."

Rovers are currently one place off the bottom of Super League having won only two of their 11 games.

Coach James Webster, the former Balmain and Parramatta halfback, responded to the Oldham shock by calling the defeat the biggest embarrassment of his time involved in rugby league.

"I've protected these boys since I've been here, but I have to apologise to everyone associated with this club," Webster said.

"That is not of a level that's needed to pick up the wage they pick up.

"Supporters give up cars, holidays to follow this club because I deal with these people every day. I understand what people think and it's all true."