A triumphant win for Hull KR after a three match losing streak but yet another defeat for Leeds leaves them rooted at the foot of the Super League table. Here’s what happened last night.
MATCH DETAILS
Hull KR put in a sublime first half performance against an extremely disappointing Leeds side and went into half-time 31-10 up. Even four tries from Leeds’ star man Konrad Hurrell wasn’t enough for the visitors to win.
Rovers started the game like a house on fire, scoring three tries within the first quarter. After a knock-on from Robbie Mulhern in only the second pass of the game, it looked like it could be a long night for the Robins. However, Leeds were caught napping in defence on several occasions and Rovers took full advantage.
Tommy Lee opened the scoring within four minutes before Danny McGuire and Will Oakes crossed. Along with a Craig Hall penalty, it gave them an 18-0 advantage and Leeds looked shot already.
Brad Dwyer, preferred over Matt Parcell by coach David Furner, made a great break to set up Hurrell for his first try and Leeds looked like they may have some fight in them.
Hull KR might have took their foot off the gas slightly but they were back in full control soon enough and tries from Mitch Garbutt and Junior Vaivei, as well as a McGuire drop goal, gave them lots of confidence going into half-time.
Hurrell’s second try came a couple of minutes before half-time but other than his efforts, Leeds looked like they needed half-time more than ever, going into the sheds 31-10 down.
The second half was a slightly different story. After Rovers domination in the first forty, the second forty was a little scrappier. The windy conditions didn’t help but there were mistakes all over from both sides.
Brad Singleton managed to find his way over after some dodgy Rovers defence and it looked like Leeds might be back in it.
Starting a one-man comeback it seemed, Hurrell secured his hattrick before Josh Drinkwater added his own effort onto the scoresheet.
Hurrell was the only Leeds man that the Rovers defence couldn’t stop, giving him try number four for the evening, before Ben Crooks ended the evening on an even higher note for the Red and Whites, scoring on the final hooter to finish 45-26.
Hull KR moved up to seventh in the table, just behind neighbours Hull FC, and Leeds sit at the foot of the table, looking up and wondering what is going wrong.
FOUR POINTERS
Leeds: relegation a real possibility?
With only two wins so far this season and a busy Easter period on the horizon, can the Rhinos make it out of the doldrums any time soon? It looks like the top five finish is out of the question but at this moment in time, can they even make it to 11th and secure a Super League spot for next season?
McGuire comes back to haunt former club
Despite not winning Sky’s MOTM, Danny McGuire looked like his former champion self on show. He was in control, both in attack and defence, and was involved in most try-scoring opportunities. The Rhinos just couldn’t seem to get a handle on him or read his plays whatsoever. He may be 36 but he’s still got it!
Don’t write Rovers off
They may have a few injury concerns currently but one thing the Red and Whites always have is team spirit. Having six ex-Leeds players on the field may have helped but they looked in control throughout the majority of the game. Even when Leeds would score, they didn’t looked panicked.
Is Jack Walker ready for the big time?
Being given the number one shirt has to come with some pressure and tonight was just not Walker’s night. His attempts at kicking were miles off and he got himself in some dubious places in defence. Has he been hyped up too much or was it just a bad night at the office? Make no mistake, he is a talent but Leeds in general were poor and he was just at the forefront of several errors.
THE RESULT
Hull KR 45
Tries: Lee, McGuire, Oakes, Garbutt, Vaivai, Drinkwater, Crooks
Goals: Hall 8
Drop Goals:ย McGuire
Leeds 26
Tries: Hurrell 4, Singleton
Goals: Sutcliffe 3
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR: Hall, Vaivai, Crooks, Linnett, Oakes, McGuire, Drinkwater, Masoe, Lee, Mulhern, Tomkins, Hauraki, Lawler.
Interchanges: Lunt, Keinhorst, Addy, Garbutt.
Leeds: Walker, Briscoe, Watkins, Hurrell, Handley, Sutcliffe, Lolohea, Peteru, Dwyer, Oledzki, Smith, Jones-Buchanan, Merrin.
Interchanges: Cuthbertson, Singleton, Albert, Donaldson.
