Hull KR shrugged off some early nerves to confirm second place in the Betfred Super League this season with a 26-16 win over Leeds at Craven Park.
Second-half tries from Tom Opacic, Sauaso Sue and Joe Burgess were enough to secure Willie Peters’ men a place in the play-off semi-finals at home in a fortnight’s time as they attempt to seal a place at Old Trafford for the first time.
The Robins, badly missing the suspended captain Elliot Minchella, have huffed and puffed through the first period and gave Leeds, smarting from last week’s 38-0 loss at the champions Wigan Warriors, thin hope of booking their own improbable play-off place .
Brad Arthur’s men should win and rely on at least two other results, but a series of handling errors meant they failed to keep their own part of the bargain, with Rhino missing out on the post-season for the second year in a row.
Victory for Hull KR also ensured Warrington Wolves finished second, despite this season’s Betfred Challenge Cup winners thrashing London Broncos 54-0 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Robins overcame early nerves for the second clinch
Hull KR, so clinical in last week’s shutout win at Leigh, was anything but in the early stages and the uncertainty was punished by Rhyse Martin, who has confirmed that he will move to Sewell Group Craven Park next season.
The Papua New Guinea second row jinked through a very short pass from Brodie Croft, but missed the chance to extend the Rhinos’ lead to six when he crashed a simple-looking conversion from the left-hand upright.
Martin arrived again before the hosts finally got into gear, with ex-Leeds hooker Matt Parcell evading two tackles to charge under the posts before Mikey Lewis kicked the Robins in front to the real relief of the home supporters.
But Hull KR failed to kick and, despite another half chance for Opacic, it was Leeds who took the lead through Alfie Edgell, who threw a dummy and held the Rovers defense flat to score the visitors’ second.
The brilliant Edgell had a moment to forget three minutes from the break when he unleashed a high kick from Lewis and slotted the hiding Peta Hiku to pounce on the loose ball to make it 10-10 at the break.
Hull KR came out firing at the start of the second half and it took eight minutes to restore the lead when they took advantage of a repeat set in the Rhinos’ 10 to execute a smart move that sent Opacic through before Lewis thundered home his spot-kick. .
Four points were clearly not enough to remove the jitters, but the front side looked more purposeful and after Hall, who will make his return to Rhinos next year, has tried to rule out the obstacles, they first managed to gain some. clear air.
Leeds invited pressure deep when Luis Roberts threw the ball high and when Rovers were given a repeat set at 10 for the visitors, he was treated to a stunning Sue and gave Lewis the easiest chance to find the kicking boot.
When another mistake in the defense of the visitor was Burgess to jump over in the right corner it effectively confirmed Hull KR’s win, when Andy Ackers crossed for the last consolation for Leeds before the final hooter brought silent celebrations and a distinct feeling of half the job. finished.
Warrington romp to a big win over the Broncos
Matty Ashton scored a hat-trick as Warrington maintained their excellent form to thrash London Broncos 54-0 in the final game of the Super League regular season.
Winger Ashton touched down three times in the first half and although Wolves went through seven more tries, it wasn’t enough to take second place from Hull KR.
Wolves, already confident of third place, have boosted their outside hopes of finishing second by beating Huddersfield Giants 66-0 last week, but now face St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday in the eliminators.
Second row Matty Nicholson and center Arron Lindop both touched twice and there were also tries for James Harrison, Josh Thewlis – the winger landed seven conversions – and Ben Currie.
Thewlis was denied an early try when tackled, but opposite wing Ashton raced onto George Williams’ looped pass to head in the corner for the opening try in the 10th minute.
Ashton then got in down the left wing for his second try and Wolves’ dominance was rewarded with a third touch as Nicholson put the home side 16-0 up in the 23rd minute.
The Broncos were pinned into their own half and grabbed two more tries before the interval for 26-0 as Ashton outpaced the visitors’ covering defense after picking up a loose pass for a hat-trick and Lindop avoided a tired Broncos rearguard to zig-zag. through for Wolves’ fifth goal.
Thewlis’ offload sent Lindop over for a second try soon after the restart before Ashton’s strong tackle denied the Broncos a consolation try through wing Lee Kershaw.
James Harrison dragged a tackler with him as he crashed under the posts for a converted score to put Wolves 38-0 ahead and Thewlis headed in the corner for his eighth try, which he failed to convert.
Nicholson went in for his second try and Ashton’s inside pass sent Currie running to finish the score.
What’s next?
Hull KR have a week off before hosting the highest-ranked team remaining from the elimination play-offs in the semi-finals on Friday 4 October or Saturday 5 October.
Warrington Wolves now ready to face an old rival St Helens in the elimination round on 28 September at Halliwell Jones Stadium (17.30 kick-off), with the match live on Sky Sports +.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight fight with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday 21st September live Sky Sports Box Office. Book Joshua vs. Dubois now!