Danny McGuire kicks Hull KR to win in Golden Point thriller against Castleford. Here’s our verdict…
MATCH DETAILS
Rovers made the perfect start with two tries back-to-back, both profiting from Josh Drinkwater assists.
First, Daniel Murray crossed for his first in Red and White, pouncing in goal, before Adam Quinlan finished off a great move initially made by Ben Crooks.
Castleford hit back through Peter Mata’utia who converted his own score in the 16th minute but Shaw’s penalty goal put Rovers 14-6 ahead in the 28th minute.
Jordan Rankin’s converted score brought the Tigers to within two points in the 33rd minute. However, they went six points ahead thanks to an ‘eight-point try’ – when James Clare was caught high by Quinlan as he touched down.
Rovers threatened early in the first half but it was Castleford who extended their lead – as Danny Addy’s wayward pass was collected by Mata’utia who then sent Greg Minkin through 80m.
The Robins finally hit back with quick-fire tries in the 61st and 63rd minute – both through Crooks. First, he finished Chris Atkin’s break before coolly collecting Drinkwater’s cross-field kick for his second.
Shaw converted both to level the scores at 26 apiece and set up a thrilling final 15 minutes.
Danny McGuire’s drop-goal attempt on 71 went just wide of the upright, before his second on 73 was charged down by former Robins man Liam Watts.
Mata’utia then missed a penalty goal four minutes from time before Drinkwater and Jake Trueman’s respective one-point attempts were unsuccessful – as KR’s first-ever ‘Golden Point’ ensued.
Up stepped McGuire, who earned a 40/20 to then kick a drop-goal on play one to win the match.
FOUR POINTERS
The Plot Thickens
Hull KR secured another notable victory which adds to their list of wins over Warrington, Hull FC and Leeds. All three have come under Tony Smith.
It means they put themselves one step closer to Super League survival, especially after Salford beat London who remain bottom but are now two points behind Rovers.
Tough To Bare
Castleford couldn’t get over the finish line, and with Salford beating London it had meant the Tigers drop to sixth and are currently out of the play-off spots.
Head coach Daryl Powell expressed his disappointment following his side’s defeat and believed it was opportunity to gain some momentum, they went into this match with three wins in four.
Magic Man
Danny McGuire stepped up once again in fine fashion after getting a 40/20 in Golden Point which had set him up for a drop-goal in front of the North Stand.
It had meant Rovers secured a first win over Castleford at Craven Park since 2016.
A Spectacle
It was certainly a beautiful game of Rugby League for the neutral fans as they looked to have been no clear winner. Given how the possession and penalties kept switching between both sides.
In the final ten minutes there still wasn’t a clear winner, Peter Mata’utia had a chance to seal the win by a penalty kick but his effort went wide. But the stars were aligned towards a Rovers win.
THE RESULT
Hull KR + 27
Tries: Murray (9), Quinlan (10), Crooks (61,64)
Goals: Shaw (5)
Drop Goals: McGuire (80)
Castleford + 26
Tries: Mata’utia (15), Rankin (32), Clare (35), Minikin (48)
Goals: Mata’utia (5)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR: Adam Quinlan, Ryan Shaw, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Craig Hall, Josh Drinkwater, Danny McGuire, Mose Masoe, Chris Atkin, Daniel Murray, Joel Tomkins, Weller Hauraki, George Lawler.
Interchanges: Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Danny Addy, Robbie Mulhern.
Castleford: Jordan Rankin, James Clare, Greg Minikin, Cheyse Blair, Greg Eden, Jake Trueman, Peter Mata’utia, Liam Watts, Adam Milner, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Ollie Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Nathan Massey.
Interchanges: Grant Millington, Will Maher, Jacques O’Neill, Chris Clarkson.
