 Hull's Garret Crossman tries to get through the Saints defence |
Hull KR: (16) 24
Tries: Jake Webster, Fitzhenry, Newton, Briscoe
Goals: Murrell 3, Jake Webster
St Helens: (6) 22
Tries: Cunningham, Flannery, Clough, Tyrer
Goals: Tyrer 3
Hull KR held off a second-half comeback from St Helens to claim a thrilling Super League victory at Craven Park. The home side led 22-6 after 43 minutes with tries from Jake Webster, Daniel Fitzhenry, Clint Newton and Shaun Briscoe and three Scott Murrell kicks.
But Saints levelled it with Chris Flannery, Paul Clough and Steve Tyrer adding to Keiron Cunningham's first-half effort.
Webster's penalty edged his side ahead before Tyrer missed a late penalty.
There was further drama at the death when play was allowed to go on after the final hooter with Matt Gidley crossing the line, but the try was ruled out for a Lee Gilmour pass after the tackle had been completed.
Rovers dominated matters in the first half with Webster opening the scoring after seven minutes before Fitzhenry took Murrell's high kick to touch down and a one-handed offload from Chev Walker sent in Newton.
Saints introduced Cunningham, after coach Daniel Anderson opted to start with James Roby, and he dived in to score to the left of the posts after Rovers had been penalised on the other side of the field.
Tyrer added the extras but Rovers went into the break leading 16-6 before Briscoe extended his side's advantage just after the break.
Saints needed to respond and they put themselves back into contention before falling just short at the end.
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan:
"I thought the first half we were very good but after the break we were a bit scratchy and made back-to-back errors.
"Last year at this stage we beat Leeds and then went fourth bottom and finished 11th. Let's not get too carried away.
"It's a nice scalp to get and I said before the competition started I wanted some points out of the first two weeks and we have done that."
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson (on the late disallowed try):
"They are all wired up and the touch judge could have told the ref earlier and stopped the whole rigmarole.
"But I was really happy with the way we played in the second half.
"Rovers were awesome in the first half. I don't think they made an error, they had plenty of possession and they punished us and I thought we fought back well."
Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Walker, J. Webster, Fitzhenry, Chester, J. Webster, Vella, K. Netherton, Mills, Newton, Galea, Murrell.
Replacements: Crossman, Aizue, Gene, Cockayne.
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Tyrer, Meli, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Roby, Graham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery.
Replacements: Bennett, Cunningham, Clough, Fa'asavalu.
Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)
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