Hull KR were unable to extend their lead at the top of Super League after Leeds Rhinos stunned the Challenge Cup winners with an extraordinary second half fightback to prevail 14-8.
The Robins were 8-0 ahead at half-time but tries from Sam Lisone and Lachie Miller, plus three Jake Connor goals, saw the Rhinos become the first team other than Wigan to defeat the Robins in 12 months and mean the Robins remain four points ahead of Wigan at the top of the league.y
But Rovers will be kicking themselves after wasting three huge chances in the first-half, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be disappointed at being penalised for dissent which allowed Connor to kick the game level from the tee.
It was, all being said, a tremendous game, with the physicality a clear step up from most matches in which the Rovers have been involved this year. Leeds, who scared the Robins earlier in the year, will feel they deserved a victory based on the two contests between the sides.
Waerea-Hargreaves and Micky McIlorum both returned to action, replacing Jack Brown and Bill Leyland.
Both teams had early chances that they couldn’t take. Joe Burgess raced on to a high Leeds kick at pace to launch a counter, but when he found Arthur Mourgue, the fullback tried to pass under pressure from Hall, and it went forward. Rovers would have had a full set 15 metres out had he kept the ball.
At the other end, Leeds were raiding Rovers’ right edge and it almost ended with points when a high Connor kick caused chaos, but after finding Alfie Edgell with a pass, Tyrone May denied the young winner with a great defensive play.
Rovers would open the scoring on 11 minutes. Former Rhino Rhyse Martin, cleared of a suspension in the week, bamboozled Connor with his footwork to step through and cross the line. Mourgue’s kick made it 6-0.
Leeds, though, remained dangerous and earned territory through their work. But when in position, they made silly errors, dropping the ball on play one while James McDonnell fumbled when Leeds had a clear overlap on the other edge.
The next points came through Rovers in what proved a key moment. The Robins successfully used their captain’s challenge to prove Harry Newman had tackled Mikey Lewis high when he dropped the ball. But Lewis failed his HIA after being forced off. Mourgue did kick the penalty for an 8-0 lead.
However, what proved key was the 10 minutes after Lewis’ exit as Rovers couldn’t convert two chances. On the right edge, Tom Davies dived home but only after Mourgue’s pass was judged forward.
But the real key moment was two minutes before the break. Jez Litten sent Kelepi Tanginoa hurtling through, the back-rower drew the fullback but his pass for Broadbent was way forward. It was a moment Rovers would live to regret.
After the break, Leeds came out firing. Sam Lisone, heavily expected to join Hull FC next year, changed the game with a huge stint. He earned his side a penalty then smashed through the Rovers defence to score by the sticks.
Connor added the extras, and a few minutes later, he kicked a penalty after Waerea-Hargreaves was foolishly penalised for dissent. That brought the game level.
Rovers appeared rattled and went through a spell under the cosh as errors made life hard. They defended frantically, but frankly, there was nothing they could do about the winning try.
Leeds scored the try of the season on 68 minutes. Miller started and ended a sublime counterattack. The fullback found Alfie Edgell, who beat Peta Hiku in his own 20 and found Ash Handley. The ball found its way to Jake Connor, who raced away, found Handley, and he then found Miller to score a sensational try. Connor converted.
Leeds huffed and puffed thereafter but without Lewis, they looked sloppy and never really looked like getting the score required. The scenes from the away end were joyous after, as Rovers suffered just their second defeat of the year. They remain four points clear of Wigan Warriors at the top of the table.
Hull KR : Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Dean Hadley, Rhyse Martin, Jai Whitbread, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa.
Tries: Martin (11)
Goals: Mourgue 2/2
Leeds Rhinos: Lachie Miller, Alfie Edgell, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia. Subs: Sam Lisone, Tom Holroyd, James Bentley, Cameron Smith.
Tries: Lisone (46), Miller (68)
Goals: Connor 3/3