The champions lost 19-18 to the Super League newcomers
York’s Ata Hingano kicks the game-winning drop goal against Hull KR.
York Knights ripped up the Super League form book on day one to shock treble-winning Hull KR with a dramatic 19-18 comeback victory. Mafia’aeata Hingano’s drop goal with four minutes remaining sent a sold out LNER Community Stadium wild as the top flight’s newest club picked up one of the biggest surprise wins.
York had already given a firm suggestion they won’t be the pushovers many tipped after making Hull KR dig deep to lead 18-6 heading into the closing stages of the game. Few expected the drama that followed, but with England half-back Mikey Lewis sent to he sin-bin, York’s Sam Wood grabbed a second try of the night to swing the momentum the host’s way and once they had it, the Knights were not going to let it go – even against last season’s all-conquering side.
Rovers must lick their wounds ahead of facing Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge next week, while York will roll on to Headingley looking to prove to much-fancied Leeds Rhinos that this was not just a freak result.
There was a worrying late amendment to the line-up with the versatile and always dependable Dean Hadley injured in the warm-up, meaning a hasty introduction for Jack Brown into the front row.
While that was an injury concern pre-match, worse was threatened after only the second carry of the game when hooker Jez Litten was floored by York’s big-name Aussie signing Paul Vaughan.
The ex-Kangaroos Test star sent the England hooker crashing to the ground with a typical bulldozing run, leaving Rovers supporters holding their breath as Litten departed for a head injury assessment that could have ruled him out of next week’s World Club Challenge. The cheer that greeted Litten’s return was as loud as for any try, with Rovers fans knowing the importance of his presence for next week’s clash with Brisbane Broncos.
The visitors thought they’d broken a stubborn and well organised York resistance after just 13 minutes with Tyrone May finding a hole to squeeze through. Celebration soon became frustration with the video referee chalking it off.
If Rovers were feeling they were in for a tough night, that will have intensified with a quarter of the game gone when they found themselves trailing to a Sam Wood try in the corner – KR’s England winger Joe Burgess showing a little rust to allow the centre in.
Patience was needed. KR were dominating the ruck, with York struggling to come to terms with the speed of the game. Willie Peters’ side knew chances would come, which they did with frequency throughout the first half.
Rovers knocked at the door enough times and finally kicked it open when Jai Whitbread crashed over as half-time approached, spinning out a tackle after powering onto a short ball from dummy-half. Rhyse Martin’s conversion briefly put KR ahead only for a penalty on the half-time hooter from scrum-half Liam Harris to level matters.
Whitbread was doing the forward’s union a great credit when he went in for a second shorty after the restart. KR prop Sauaso Sue soon got in on the act with his own try, hitting a gap big enough to drive a car through. Rovers had their breathing room, but a needless sin-binning for Lewis had them down to 12 men and York capitalised with a second converted Wood try as the hosts moved just six behind and sensed a shock.
The grandstand finish was fitting and when Scott Galeano crossed in the corner, it was left to ex-Hull KR player Harris to kick a touchline conversion to level the game. York piled forward with belief and won the game when Hingano slotted over the one-pointer.