HULL KR 12 ST HELENS 8
ARINDAM REJ, Sewell Group Craven Park, Friday
JOE BURGESS delivered the crucial try as Hull KR triumphed after an engrossing and intense battle – and benefited from Rhyse Martin booting eight points from four penalties.
Table-topping Hull KR gave another gritty performance and survived a late fightback from St Helens on the way to a deserved victory.
Although the hosts had the better of the first half, it had been 2-2 after a physical 40 minutes during which both teams had a yellow card – and St Helens crucially lost key man Morgan Knowles after a failed HIA.
Knowles’ absence clearly affected Saints who fell 12-2 behind before a late try from Deon Cross set up a tense finish that Rovers survived.
It was a fitting contest to be played out in front of the biggest-ever attendance at this ground, 12,169 – on a pitch that looked in sound condition after hosting band Coldplay.
St Helens had won nine from 10 going into this game but, despite a big effort here, they went on to suffer a fifth defeat in a row to the Robins.
Ahead of an interesting forwards battle, Rovers were without injured Sauaso Sue and Michael McIlorum plus suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – and they went for Bill Leyland on the bench as a second hooker option.
Saints, meanwhile, had the issue of being without injured wing men Owen Dagnall and, after a failed HIA, Kyle Feldt – and they fielded Tristan Sailor and Cross as starting wingers.
Rovers made a hard-working start, but had an early setback when Martin was sin-binned for his high shot on Knowles, which ended Saints loose-forward’s night.
Some further hard-hitting tackling was soon on show though – including, notably, energetic Jez Litten on Daryl Clark – and there was then a green card after Mikey Lewis was hobbling from being brought down by Alex Walmsley. With Rovers two men down, Saints wasted a chance as Jack Welsby uncharacteristically dropped the ball as the visitors attacked.
Hull KR did well to resist any damage in that period – and get back to 13 against 13 with the score still 0-0. And Saints then suffered a numerical disadvantage themselves when big hitter George Delaney was yellow carded for his fierce high shot on Eribe Doro.
Martin came agonisingly close to bulldozing his way over but he was held up, as Jonny Lomax made a vital defensive intervention. James Batchelor then also failed to ground close to the line for the Robins.
But the home team did edge ahead just before Delaney returned, when Joe Batchelor gave away a penalty for his late contact on Lewis – given after a successful captain’s challenge by Hull KR – and Martin kicked two points.
The absorbing and hard-fought first half ended level though as Clark won a penalty just before the break for ruck interference – and Mark Percival booted the two points to make it all square.
Rovers quickly made a second-half impact though – after Moses Mbye kicked out on the full – and Lewis attempted a chip-and-chase but was impeded by Joe Batchelor, leading to a second penalty for Martin to successfully add points from.
And it nearly got worse for Saints when Tom Davies then went over but a try was not given as Peta Hiku’s foot was on the line when delivering a crucial pass in the build-up.
Hull KR gaining two kickable penalties in quick succession helped them stretch the lead to 8-2 though, with Martin profiting. The first came after a ball steal from Clark, and the second happened when Delaney held down Lewis as he dashed forward.
Lewis then delivered a 40/20 with impressive technique and that was promptly followed by the current Man of Steel flinging out an assist for Burgess to cross for a try. The celebrations in the aftermath spoke volumes about the importance of that moment.
Saints though struck when Cross touched down, before a cool kick from Percival cut the gap to four points. While they threatened in the closing stages, Rovers hung on and bounced back from the defeat at Leeds.
GAMESTAR: Jez Litten looked like a man with a point to prove – and the message should be noted by club and country – as he showed his value with a lively, influential display.
GAMEBREAKER: Joe Burgess jumping over for a try in the left-hand corner extended Rovers’ lead from 8-2 to 12-2.
HIGHLIGHT REEL: Mikey Lewis nailing a classy 40/20 was an eye-catching and pivotal moment, leading to a Joe Burgess try.
ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Jez Litten (Hull KR)
2 pts Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
1 pt Elliot Minchella (Hull KR)
MATCHFACTS
HULL KR
35 Arthur Mourgue
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
18 Jack Broadbent
5 Joe Burgess
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
11 Dean Hadley
9 Jez Litten
16 Jai Whitbread
12 James Batchelor
17 Rhyse Martin
13 Elliot Minchella
Subs (all used)
15 Sam Luckley
20 Kelepi Tanginoa
24 Eribe Doro
25 Bill Leyland
18th man (not used)
21 Jack Brown
Also in 21-man squad
33 Harvey Horne
36 Noah Booth
38 Cobie Wainhouse
Tries: Burgess (67)
Goals: Martin 4/5
Sin bin: Martin (8) – high tackle
SAINTS
1 Jack Welsby
6 Tristan Sailor
26 Harry Robertson
4 Mark Percival
36 Deon Cross
7 Jonny Lomax
14 Moses Mbye
8 Alex Walmsley
9 Daryl Clark
10 Matty Lees
11 Curtis Sironen
16 Matt Whitley
13 Morgan Knowles
Subs (all used)
12 Joe Batchelor
17 Agnatius Paasi
19 George Delaney
23 Jake Burns
18th man (used)
27 George Whitby
Also in 21-man squad
15 James Bell
31 Leon Cowen
34 Jake Davies
Tries: Cross (76)
Goals: Percival 2/2
Sin bin: Delaney (23) – high tackle
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2-0, 2-2; 4-2, 6-2, 8-2, 12-2, 12-8
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hull KR: Jez Litten; Saints: Daryl Clark
Penalty count: 6-4
Half-time: 2-2
Referee: Chris Kendall
Attendance: 12,169