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 head coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds:

“It’s disappointing, disappointing for our players and for our fans. They came out today to Headingley and really supported us; they got behind the boys.

"It would’ve been nice to send them away with a victory, we tried hard enough. Our effort was there but we lacked detail. That put us under pressure but it was better than last week.

“We started well, we got into the grind and went set for set. They stuck at it even in the second half, we didn’t start great but we could’ve scored to make it 10-0.

"From there they go on to score. We stayed in it and got ourselves back in front with six minutes to go. From there you’ve got to find a way to win.”

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

"We had to dig deep and I’m extremely proud; we toughed that one out. That was a tough, physical game in hot conditions.

“I’m really proud of the result but there was a lot of things to like about the performance. I’m really happy with the defensive display and the way the group defended the line for each other.

"We didn’t get off to a fast start but we challenged our interchanges to come off the bench and make a difference with energy. They did that."

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.