Hull KR survived an almighty scare to get back to winning ways with a thrilling 34-28 victory over Leigh Centurions.
The Robins appeared to have the game in the bag early in the second half but needed a late try from Ryan Hall to spare their blushes.
Rovers reporter James O’Brien delivers the verdict from Leigh Sports Village.
Analysis
A win against Leigh has been a banker for Super League sides in 2021, a chance to boost morale as well as points percentage.
Rovers have never had an issue with morale under Tony Smith – even at their lowest ebb last year – but they needed a result to kick-start their season after back-to-back defeats to Catalans Dragons.
Such is the nature of Super League in the coronavirus era, the Robins moved back into the play-off positions without kicking a ball thanks to Castleford Tigers’ win over Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.
Smith’s side had the carrot of taking fifth spot off fierce rivals Hull FC but they were always going to be in for a difficult night against a team desperate to end their long losing run.
In the end, though, the biggest hurdle in front of Rovers was a mental one of their own doing as they gave an exhibition in how to throw a game away.
KR were down to 11 men at one point and allowed Leigh to take a firm grip on the match heading into the dying embers.
Dean Hadley (13) of Hull KR leaves the pitch after picking up an injury
(Image: Simon Whitehead/News Images)
But the Robins are made of stronger stuff in 2021 and they regathered their composure to claim a precious win in the race for the play-offs.
The tone was set for a helter-skelter contest when Matty Russell broke clear down the left wing inside 30 seconds.
Emergency full-back Ben Crooks hauled the winger down only for Leigh to score later in the set through Junior Sa’u.
It went from bad to worse for the visitors when Dean Hadley was forced off in real discomfort with a dislocated shoulder, adding to the injury woes following the loss of Adam Quinlan and Jordan Abdull.
Rovers were rocking and looked to have conceded again when Chris Kendall sent Joe Mellor’s effort up as a try.
The half-back beat Hall in a foot race after his original kick was hacked on but the experienced winger did enough to force the mistake.
The Robins composed themselves and got on the board in the 15th minute, Kane Linnett touching down a neat grubber kick from Rowan Milnes.
It was a big moment for the youngster after a shaky start by Rovers in attack and he was the architect of the second try, sending a high kick out to the right where Brad Takairangi leapt highest to give Greg Minikin an easy finish.
KR were into their stride with Matt Parcell having a field day in the middle, his break giving Shaun Kenny-Dowall the chance to cross from Mikey Lewis’ pass with Leigh all at sea.
Rovers kept their foot on the throat and were in again when Lewis dummied his way over after Matty Storton had been denied his first try by the video referee.
Mikey Lewis (20) of Hull KR celebrates scoring a try
(Image: Simon Whitehead/News Images)
Rovers were in full control at 18-4 but they were guilty of overconfidence as they let the Centurions back in before half-time.
Parcell went without the ball at dummy-half to give Leigh a rare look at the KR line and they punished the hooker, Craig Mullen going over out wide before converting to give the hosts a boost going into the break.
The Robins made the perfect start to the second half when Albert Vete powered his way over from close range but he soon became the villain of the piece in the eyes of the Leigh fans.
The big prop was sin-binned for an alleged shoulder charge to the head and he was immediately punished as Adam Sidlow ghosted in under the posts.
KR’s composure had deserted them as they imploded in front of a home end that was sensing a memorable win.
After Korbin Sims was penalised for a high shot, George Lawler saw yellow for a similar offence and Sa’u took advantage by going over out wide with Rovers down to 11.
The Robins lost Lewis to an apparent head injury and the writing appeared to be on the wall when Crooks dropped a high kick and Sidlow scored another simple try to put Leigh in front.
But the momentum shifted when Sims was caught with a high shot, although the away fans were miffed not to see a card.
Kenny-Dowall got his side level with a strong finish out wide but Crooks was wide again to set up a grandstand finish at 28-28.
Rovers were the team with the winning habit in 2021 and it showed in the closing stages, even if they benefited from a slice of fortune for Hall’s crucial try.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (4) of Hull KR celebrates scoring a try to make it 28-28
(Image: Simon Whitehead/News Images)
Milnes sent up a high kick that was contested by Crooks and bounced back into the hands of Linnett who just about picked the ball up and allowed Kenny-Dowall to put his winger over to spark jubilant scenes in the away end.
Leigh thought they had rescued the game when Liam Hood touched down but the video referee spotted an offside as KR survived a huge scare.
Key moment
Rovers appeared to be on course for an embarrassing defeat but got a lifeline when Sidlow caught Sims with a bell-ringer, allowing the visitors to play their way back into the game.
Good day – Shaun Kenny-Dowall
The Robins needed their leaders to step up and the captain did just that with two tries and the killer play to put Hall away for the winner.
Bad day – Dean Hadley
The forward was forced off inside five minutes and his season could be over.
Bigger picture
Rovers return home on Friday for a date with a resurgent Wigan Warriors. Smith’s men go into the game well placed in the Super League table but will have to improve out of sight.
Leigh: Keanan Brand, Matty Russell, Iain Thornley, Jack Logan, Junior Sa’u, Craig Mullen, Joe Mellor, Adam Sidlow, Josh Eaves, Alex Gerrard, Ben Hellewell, Matty Foster, James Bell.
Bench: Liam Hood, Jordan Thompson, Matty Gee. Mark Ioane
Hull KR: Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Brad Takairangi, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Rowan Milnes, Mikey Lewis, George King, Matt Parcell, Will Maher, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley, Korbin Sims.
Bench: Albert Vete, Jez Litten, George Lawler, Matty Storton.
