It was a tough day in the searing heat for Hull KR as the leaders suffered back-to-back Super League defeats for the first time in 16 months. Hosts Leigh Leopards prospered 24-10 after proving far more clinical, backing up their own win against champions Wigan with another fine performance.
Papuan star Lachlan Lam led the show from half-back, scoring one brilliant try and setting up two for Josh Charnley, who bagged his 250th and 251st Super League tries. Ironically, Charnley’s first came while playing for KR on loan back in 2010 and he heaped the misery on his former club after last week’s loss to Leeds.
Arthur Mourgue – 5: Dropped a couple of high kicks and was hit by a fierce Edwin Ipape tackle.
Tom Davies – 6: Chalked up his 200th career appearance and worked away tirelessly in the heat before copping a stray Josh Charnley elbow near the end and going off with a bust nose.
Peta Hiku 5: Switched to stand-off for a spell when Micheal McIllorum went off for a breather but couldn’t spark Rovers.
Jack Broadbent – 5: Surprisingly caught out defensively when Umyla Hanley fended him off for his try.
Joe Burgess – 5: Won an early Captain’s Challenge after being deemed to have fumbled but spilled Gareth O’Brien kick to concede Keanan Brand try.
Danny Richardson – N/A: In for a rare shot with Mikey Lewis sidelined but picked up his own injury in the 12th minute. Tried running it off but had to relent just four minutes later, hobbling off on a frustrating afternoon.
Tyrone May – 6: Scored a great try with his cheeky dummy but Rovers needed more from him with Lewis and Richardson out of the picture.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – 5: Was always going to be tough for the big Kiwi in the searing heat and seemed sapped of energy.
Michael McIlorum – 5: Defended well enough in opening stint and then must have feared the worst when coming on for Jez Litten near the end and seeing yellow – only to realise it was for Litten!
Sauaso Sue – 6: Making his 250th career appearance, he showed plenty of industry in the middle but Leigh had the upper hand.
Jai Whitbread – 5: No happy return to LSV for the former Leigh forward.
James Batchelor 6: Back from that nasty throat injury but moved to centre in forced rejig and left chasing Tesi Niu for Lachlan Lam try.
Elliot Minchella 7: Gave a typical captain’s knock in the middle. Battled away.
Jez Litten – 6: Initially came on at No7 with Richardson crocked but better at hooker until getting that bizarre yellow card and another bust nose for good measure.
Dean Hadley – 5: Made a couple of uncharacteristic errors but battled hard.
Sam Luckley – 5: Didn’t have his usual impact and struggled to make inroads in Leigh pack.
Kelepi Tanginoa – 6: Brought some punch off the bench and came up with a try.