Headlines
ROVERS RESERVES DRAW DERBY THRILLER
Monday 19th July 2010
Hull KR 26 - Hull FC 26
Rovers led 20-10 at the break after an impressive finish to the first half but with eight minutes to go, they found themselves trailing 26-20.
But Chris Chester’s battling young side dug deep into their reserves of character and commitment for Taylor to plough over for the all-important try.
The outstanding Scott Spaven – who produced a terrific performance at scrum half - then kept his composure to add the goal and level the scores.
Both sides desperately tried to win the game in the closing stages but were off target with drop goal attempts.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result – as Robins boss Chester admitted. He said: “It was a great game. We were comfortably ahead at half time but credit to Hull for the way they came back at us.
“In the end, a draw was a good result and I’m proud of the way we kept battling. It was a tremendous team effort.”
Hull started strongly and after having an early try ruled out for a forward pass, they took the lead when Chris Green touched down. Nicklas added the goal.
Rovers, though, levelled with a superbly taken try. Spaven’s clever chip over the top was re-gathered by Benn Hardcastle and he went away to score. Spaven goaled.
As play swung from end to end, Hull regained the lead when Nicklas crossed in the corner, too far out for the same player to add the goal.
However, Rovers powered back and scored three tries in the final ten minutes of the half to build that ten point interval lead.
Wingers Matt Cooke and Sam Bowring both went over along with Spaven whose trusty boot tagged on the extras.
Rovers appeared to be in control but Hull had other ideas as Green went over for his second try of the game. Second rower Liam Kent also crossed to level the scores at 20-20.
The game was balanced on a knife edge but Hull struck a vital blow when Jack Briscoe scored. Nicklas goaled to edge his side six points in front.
However, it was Rovers who had the final say and that burst of six points completed the scoring in a rip-roaring clash which was a credit to both sides.
Rovers: Wilson; Bowring, Johnson, Petersen, Cooke; Hardcastle, Spaven; Dee, Gay, J. Green, Mariano, Cox, Taylor. Subs: Powley, Moore, Mountain, Tognola.
Hull: Briscoe; Lynne, Morrison, Donkin, Tuffour; Nicklas, Williams; Bowden, Smith, Aldous, Kent, Burnett, C. Green. Subs: Pearce, Morris, Iley, Lazenby.
Rovers U18's won the second game of their play-off campagin with a 24-20 victory against Wigan Warriors. Full report will appear soon.
