Hull KR snatch dramatic victory to deny Leeds

Betfred Super League

Leeds (6) 12

Tries: Martin, Miller Goals: Martin (2)

Hull KR (0) 20

Tries: Hall, Lewis, Whitbread, Litten Goals: Lewis (2)

Hull KR stunned Leeds Rhinos with a dramatic late victory at Headingley.

The home side thought they had given new coach Brad Arthur a winning start when Lachlan Miller’s late try put them in front.

But Jai Whitbread crossed the line moments later, before Jez Litten’s try made sure of the victory for the Robins, who stay third but join second-placed Warrington Wolves on 26 points.

Defeat for the Rhinos leaves them four points off the Super League play-off spots on an afternoon defined by individual errors being punished.

Leeds took an early lead when Rhyse Martin capitalised on Jack Broadbent misjudging Matt Frawley’s kick to score under the posts. He converted his try after a video check.

Hull KR won a penalty in front of the posts on the 20-minute mark and opted to run rather than kick without success. It was a story of the first half; their build-up play was impressive, but they struggled to find the killer moment.

With eight minutes remaining before half-time, David Fusitu’a kept Leeds in front with a superb catch under pressure from a cross-field kick as the home side were showing a lot of steeliness at the beginning of the Arthur era.

Fusitu’a should have added a second try for Leeds within minutes of the restart. With the line begging after brilliant footwork and a link-up with Paul Momirovski, he was thwarted by superb last-ditch defending by Mikey Lewis.

It proved costly, too. Almost immediately, Ryan Hall crossed in the corner for Hull KR as he bundled over the line, having been fed by Matt Parcell. Lewis converted from a tight angle to level the scores.

After more Robins pressure, Lewis forced his way through the Rhinos backline to cross for his ninth try of the season, but pulled his conversion wide.

Leeds hit back with 12 minutes to go in bizarre circumstances. Frawley’s kick bounced up, ricocheted off the crossbar, and fell into Miller’s hands after Broadbent misjudged the flight again. Martin edged the home side ahead with the kick.

But Hull KR were not done. Jai Whitbread’s took advantage of Fusitu’a’s fumble to go over, with Lewis’ successful conversion putting them back in front.

Then, with a minute on the clock, Litten punished a lapse in concentration from Brodie Croft to race in and complete the win.

Leeds: Miller, Fusitu’a, Momirovski, Newman, Handley, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Eseh, McDonnell, Martin, Smith.

Interchanges: O’Connell, Lisone, Domnaldaon, Edgell.

Hull KR: Broadbent, Burgess, Hiku, Gildart, Hall, May, Lewis, Sue, Parcell, Hadley, Opacic, Storton, Minchella.

Interchanges: Litten, Luckley, Whitbread, Tanginoa.

Referee: Liam Moore.