Ben Guzdek reviews the epic Yorkshire clash between Hull KR and Huddersfield.
SCOREBOARD
Rovers – 25
Tries: Crooks (1,24), Lewis (27), Linnett (69)
Goals: Abdull (2,8,28,70)
Drop-Goals: Abdull (77)
Giants – 24
Tries: McGillvary (34), McIntosh (54,73), Wardle (60), McQueen (65)
Goals: Sezer (61,67)
MATCH REPORT
1st Half
Rovers took the lead straight from the kick-off by Jordan Abdull which which bounced awkwardly for the defending side; Ben Crooks nipped to claim the bouncing ball and dive over the line.
The clock read seven seconds, making it the fastest try in Super League history. Abdull’s extras gave the home side the perfect start for a 6-0 lead.
Rovers pressed again six minutes in as Korbin Sims flattened Kenny Edwards close to the Huddersfield line with both players needing treatment.
Sims was replaced by Albert Vete but the home side had claimed possession before the stoppage. From the next set, Rovers forced a penalty which Abdull kicked from in front of the posts to make it 8-0.
Rovers added their next try as Crooks went in for his second when he was first to a grubber kick from Mikey Lewis. With 25 minutes on the clock Hull Kingston Rovers led 12-0.
The Robins added a third a minute later as George’s King’s break set Abdull free; he sent in Lewis from 40 metres to cross under the posts. Abdull made no mistake this time to stretch the advantage to 18-0.
Six minutes before the break Matty English took Huddersfield close to the tryline, and Leroy Cudjoe’s pass put Jermaine McGillvary over in the corner, but a missed Aidan Sezer kick meant it was 18-4 at the break.
HALF-TIME: Hull Kingston Rovers 18 Huddersfield Giants 4
2nd Half
Crooks limped off early in the second half but it made little difference as the home side still looked the better.
Huddersfield got the important first score of the second half as Edwards’ offload and Lee Gaskell’s kick set up Darnell McIntosh to touch down in the corner to make it 18-8 after 55 minutes.
Huddersfield built on their momentum as Jake Wardle battled over on the left and Sezer’s first successful conversion made it 18-14 with 20 minutes left.
Huddersfield’s Chris McQueen levelled the game up with 65 minutes gone as he touched down after losing possession. After a long check with the video referee, he was ruled to have knocked the ball backwards.
Sezer’s conversion put the Giants head for the first time at 20-18.
But Rovers were soon back in the lead as McGillvary spilled Abdull’s high kick and Kane Linnett collected to cross.
The Giants ran in again down the left side as McIntosh scored his second try in the corner to level the scores at 24-24.
With three minutes left, Abdull kicked the all-important drop-goal and English lost possession in the Giants’ next attack as the home side were able to see out their first win of the season.
FULL-TIME: Hull Kingston Rovers 25 Huddersfield Giants 24
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