MATCH DETAILS
Leeds Rhinos came from behind before holding on to a nervy 20-18 win against a spirited Hull KR.
It was a much-needed win for the Rhinos after two consecutive narrow defeats, and they got the job done despite being under huge pressure for large periods of the game.
There were two tries apiece in the first half, but three Ryan Shaw penalties put Hull KR six points in front at the break.
The first of those came after nine minutes, and shortly after Rovers got the first try. Robbie Mulhern scored but Danny McGuire created it, with a fantastic 40/20 from which he tapped quickly with the Leeds defence unprepared and played in Mulhern.
Two tries in five minutes swung the game towards the Rhinos, however, the first from Joel Moon who danced through the line and then past Adam Quinlan to score a great individual try.
Then, Parcell found a gap in the Hull KR defence and played a short pass to Jamie Jones-Buchanan, with two Kallum Watkins conversions putting the Rhinos 12-8 in front.
The home side regained the lead with a try from short range from Mase Masoe, with another two Shaw penalties stretching the advantage into half-time.
Masoe was sin binned early in the second half for a high tackle on Ashton Golding, and Leeds took advantage with a Ryan Hall try made by Moon, which Watkins converted before slotting a penalty to give the Rhinos the lead.
Hull KR should have had a try through Chris Atkin, but the referee had already stopped play for a Leeds knock on rather than playing the advantage.
Rovers kept forcing repeat sets to keep the Rhinos on the ropes, with Justin Carney twice coming within centimetres of the line.
However, frustration and errors cost them towards the end as they desperately searched for a try, and Leeds held on for the win.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
Rovers Deserve Victory
On the balance of play there can be little doubt that Hull KR were the better of the two sides, with their forwards on top throughout and the whole side putting in a monumental effort.
However, it is scoring tries that counts and Leeds were clinical when they had to be, with the score in the second half while the influential Masoe was in the bin the difference in the end.
They failed to take advantage of plenty of good position in the second half, and could also be aggrieved by a number of harsh calls from the officials.
Lacklustre Display Doesn’t Halt The Rhinos
Leeds have lost a number of games recently by the tightest of margin, but despite the win this one was arguably the worst for some time.
Joel Moon was a bright spark throughout and had a strong influence on two of their three tries, but apart from him there was little in attack to excite.
The one positive would be the great effort required in defence to keep the Robins out in the second half, but Leeds will need to be much better to have a chance of making the top four.
Man Of The Match- Justin Carney (Hull KR)
Every Rovers player put in a great effort, but this was most epitomised by winger Justin Carney, who looked lively and dangerous every time he had the ball.
He made a number of great carries and tough tackles, and came very close to grabbing a couple of tries as well.
THE RESULT
Hull KR 18
Tries: Mulhern, Masoe
Goals: Shaw 5
Drop Goals: n/a
Leeds 20
Tries:ย Moon, Jones-Buchanan, Hall
Goals: Watkins 4
Drop Goals:ย n/a
SQUADS
Hull KR: Quinlan; Shaw, Greenwood, Vaivai, Carney; McGuire, Lee; Mulhern, Atkin, Masoe; Clarkson, Tickle, Kavanagh
Interchanges: Scruton, Donaldson, Marsh, Cator
Leeds Rhinos: Golding; Briscoe, Watkins, Handley, Hall; Moon, Myler; Singleton, Parcell, Cuthbertson; Jones-Buchanan, Ward, Ablett
Interchanges: Delaney, Mullally, Ferres, Oledzki
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
