Hull KR still in Super League title race with valuable win over St. Helens - Rugby
Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR) have booked themselves a play-off spot within the Engage Super League after bagging a tight win of 24-22 over St. Helens on Sunday, August 21, at New Craven Park.
This defeat has terminated the five-match winning streak of St. Helens whereas Rovers’ have bagged their fourth successive win and are only a point behind Hull FC within the league hierarchy. With this victory under their belt, Rovers have managed to successfully
cement themselves in the top eight berths within the table.
The Saints are floating on the third spot, with a three-point lead over the Huddersfield Giants and are hoping to march into their sixth consecutive grand final showdown with a win.
Hull KR had gone into Sunday night’s fixture lined up with a 19-man squad, which included Liam Salter for the centre’s spot, who was appearing for his first professional game. There were some other tweaks done in Rovers’ pack that included the replacement
of winger, Peter Fox, with Craig Hall.
Ben Galea, who had recovered from his last week’s injury against the Bradford Bulls was also named by Justin Morgan, Hull KR’s coach to battle against the number three within the league.
The 19-man squad of Robins included; Shaun Briscoe, Hall, Salter, Scott Wheeldon, Michael Dobson, Clint Newton, Ben Fisher, Ben Galea, Blake Green, Josh Hodgson, Liam Watts, Sam Latus, Scott Murrell, Netherton, Mick Vella, Jordan Cox, Jake Webster, Kris
Welham, Scott Taylor.
The latest recruits were Tom Makinson and Scott Hale in the 19-man squad of Saints. Makinson was a replacement of injured winger Ade Gardner, who was taken on board for two-year contract, whereas Hale’s contract term is of one year.
Lomax sat out of the Saints’ squad on account of injury. James Graham was rested by their coach because of his badly injured leg.
While speaking about Hull KR’s victory over Saints, Morgan discussed, "This was a massive game and a huge win for us. To keep us very much in the hunt is something the players need to take great credit for.
"Saints beat us quite comfortably in the Challenge Cup so to turn that result around in a month is credit to them. We made some really strong carries and, although we still made a number of unforced errors, we showed great spirit to hold them out."
On the other hand, Helens’ coach, Royce Simmons admitted that their rivals performed better, as they seemed hungrier for the win and said, "They're playing for eighth spot and competing with the side from across the river so they had everything to play for."
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