Hull KR suffered rare back-to-back defeats with a 28-10 score against Leigh Leopards at the Leigh Sports Village, unable to overcome early adversity in the scorching temperatures.
It marked the first time in 16 months that Rovers have lost twice on the bounce, falling to a 14-8 defeat to Leeds Rhinos in Super League Round 17.
Hull KR went into the match without reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis, who was ruled out on head injury protocols. He was replaced by Danny Richardson in the halves. However, the 28-year-old – making just his fourth appearance of the year for Rovers – was forced from the action against Leigh after just 16 minutes through an ankle injury.
Richardson was recalled in the week from a loan spell with Salford to replace Lewis, but eventually succumbed to the blow. It forced a major reshuffle, in which Rovers were ultimately unable to overcome.
Leigh back-rower Ethan O’Neill opened the scoring inside eight minutes, leaping the highest to collect a dangerous Lachlan Lam kick to touchdown for 6-0.
Richardson went down not long after, which forced Peta Hiku into the halves and James Batchelor, returning after a two-game absence due to a throat injury, moved to the centres.
Hull KR hit back through Tyrone May in the 20th minute, with the Australian playmaker selling a huge dummy to split Leigh’s defence and score under the sticks for 6-6.
But Leigh took charge of the half soon after, scoring twice for a 14-6 lead at the break. Umyla Hanley beat Jack Broadbent on the outside to score in the corner, before Keanan Brand stretched out to place the ball on the whitewash with Rovers unable to deal with a kick to the corner.
Kelepi Tanginoa gave the strong travelling supporters something to cheer about when he scored on 48 minutes. Bailey Hodgson was unable to deal with a high kick in the sun, and the Rovers back-rower picked up the loose ball and used all his strength to cross with Lachlan Lam and Josh Charnley on his back.
Leigh however regained a 10-point lead through a long-range try. Tesi Niu outpaced opposition Batchelor from deep inside his own half, and the strong centre found Lam in support for a 20-10 scoreline after 50 minutes.
Hull KR didn’t look like hitting back after that, and Charnley crossed twice to surpass 250 career tries in a rare off day for Willie Peters’ Rovers.
Leigh Leopards: Bailey Hodgson, Keanan Brand, Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Gaz O’Brien, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Joe Ofahengaue, Frankie Halton, Ethan O’Neill, Isaac Liu. Bench: Jack Hughes, Alec Tuitavake, Matt Davies, Ben McNamara.
Tries: O’Neill, Hanley, Brand, Lam, Charnley.
Goals: O’Brien 2/5, McNamara 0/1
Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta, Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess, Danny Richardson, Tyrone, May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jai Whitbread, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella. Bench: Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa.
Tries: May, Tanginoa.
Goals: Mourgue 1/2