The Robins are now six points behind the pace being set by Leeds Rhinos at the Super League summit
Willie Peters, head coach of Hull KR(Image: Tony King/Getty Images)
Willie Peters refused to rule Hull KR out of the League Leaders’ Shield race following their 34-8 loss to Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.
The Robins were second best throughout the contest at Headingley and ultimately, they were handed a heavy defeat by the Rhinos, who retained their two point lead at the top of the Super League table.
Irrespective of results elsewhere this weekend, Rovers are now six points behind the pace at the top of the division and hopes of being able to retain their Shield are now fading fast despite having 11 games still to play.
Finishing in the top two is still very much a possibility and as the business end of the season begins to appear on the horizon, KR will be going all out to build as much momentum as possible.
However, as things stand, the Robins will only have a chance of taking top spot if Leeds take a massive dip in form and that looks unlikely at this point in time.
“If mathematically you can get top spot then I’ll never say we’re out of it,” Peters said after the game in West Yorkshire. “What we need to do at the moment, which is what we’ll do, is just worry about Hull FC next.
“There’s a period down the track where we have three games in a week. We’ve had a tough schedule but we can make up some points there.
“The most important game for us next week is Hull FC and that’s what we’ll worry about. I think Leeds are probably in the prime position to be able to get the League Leaders’.
“We’re not worrying around too far down the track, it has to be what we do next week.”
Errors punctuated Rovers’ showing at Headingley with 14 being made across the 90 minutes and four being made by Mikey Lewis alone.
That’s not something you associate with a Willie Peters team, nor is the ill-discipline that seems to be creeping in with Rhyse Martin being shown a yellow card for holding down just before the break.
“Last week was similar but we got away with it last week,” Peters added. “We need to find out why.
“For me it’s an individual thing, you have to play the ball and you play it correctly. If you pass from dummy half or you’re carrying the footy then make sure you get your timing right and make sure it’s not forward.
“We’ve had a couple of those. A silly 10 minutes for holding down just before half time, we’ve had two of those now, we need to learn. It’s those parts that we certainly need to be better at.”