- Hull KR secures victory
- Defensive prowess highlighted
- Key moments decide match
Early indications suggest that Hull Kingston Rovers possess exactly what it takes to win a rugby league match and have a significant impact on the Super League title race this season.
The aim of last week’s opening night triumph at fierce rivals Hull FC was to effectively manage the situation in the presence of over 20,000 spectators, a tumult of emotion, and the attention of the rugby league community. It would be an understatement to say they accomplished that, considering their 22-0 victory served as an early reminder of who dominated the city of Hull. But in the current era, mere municipal dominance is no longer sufficient for a club that sincerely hopes to secure a championship this season.
They hosted their first home game on a quagmire-like field against a Leeds side riding high off their victory on the opening weekend. However, despite a slow start, Willie Peters’ squad exhibited steady improvement throughout the evening and ultimately emerged as deserving winners. Possibly most impressively, they have allowed only two tries in their first two matches; and Ash Handley scored one of those tries, which was a contender for the try of the season.
Hull KR’s Gritty Path to Victory
Hull KR, who finished fourth the previous year and were beaten finalists in the Challenge Cup, appear to possess the quality that every prominent side covets: the ability to find a way to win despite appearing to be underperforming. “The most satisfying victories are those in which one manages to secure a win,” Peters conceded post-match. “The pitches are in dreadful condition at this time of year, so the players performed exceptionally well.”
Early on a night when discipline was once more of the utmost importance, they fell behind 4-0. As officials continue implementing the new regulations pertaining to penalties for head contact, they adjudicated sin-bin against three players. However, the decision to sin-bin Peta Hiku of Hull KR for a professional foul after seven minutes was beyond dispute. Leeds capitalised on the situation when Brodie Croft and Harry Newman completed a pass at the centre for the opening try of the evening.
However, the Rhinos squandered several opportunities to extend their lead, and the illness-related withdrawal of fullback Lachlan Miller minutes before kickoff did not assist their cause. On short notice, teenage prospect Alfie Edgell performed admirably, but the Rhinos’ assault stalled throughout the evening. And Rovers had the opportunity to take the lead at halftime on a Sauaso Sue try off a Jez Litten kick; the hooker then converted two goals to make the score 8-4.
Tense Moments Tilt the Scales
Following the Sue try, James Donaldson was sent to the sin bin for Leeds, a decision that could have been deemed red due to his interaction with the head of Oliver Gildart. Ryan Hall for Rovers and Handley for Leeds exchanged tries upon his return. Handley, representing Leeds, collected a cross-field kick from Croft in an attempt to race the length of the pitch. It was a world-class effort. The contest was in a delicate balance at 14-12.
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“I was pleased with our defensive performance,” said Rohan Smith, the defeated coach. “A few scrappy moments honestly defeated us.” A close and challenging contest, the outcome could have been different.” However, the fact that the referee showed Sam Lisone of Leeds the third yellow card tilted the scales in favour of Rovers. After Litten converted a penalty kick to make the game 16-12, a delicate kick by Tyrone May enabled Hiku to score and effectively conclude the match in the dying moments.
May Lewis; Whitbread, Litten, King, Tanginoa, Batchelor, Minchella; Hull KR, Hiku; Evalds, Opacic, Gildart, Hall; Batchelor, Minchella. Substitutes: Sue, Aydin, Hall, and Shorten. Tries: Sue, Hall, and Hiku. Goals: Litten 5.
