Rovers down Rhinos
4 Apr 2019
Konrad Hurrell’s four-try display proved in vain as Hull Kingston Rovers got back to winning ways with an entertaining 45-26 triumph over Leeds Rhinos at the KCOM Craven Park.
Hurrell crossed twice in each half during a stellar performance but Rovers had Craig Hall and the returning Danny McGuire to thank as they guided the home side to a seven-try victory which kept the 2017 Betfred Super League champions at the foot of the table.
Tommy Lee, McGuire, Will Oakes, Mitch Garbutt and Junior Vaivai all crossed for Rovers in a dominant first half, with Hurrell's brace offering some food for thought as the Robins led 31-10 at the break.
Brad Singleton crossed 10 minutes after the restart for the Rhinos and Hurrell completed his hat-trick to give Leeds real hope of a comeback.
Josh Drinkwater bundled his way over for the hosts to end Leeds’ challenge and despite Hurrell's late fourth, Hall’s eighth goal and Ben Crooks' try in the dying seconds sealed the Robins’ first success in four matches.
Rovers coach Tim Sheens said: “A very good first half. I wasn’t expecting for us to score as many as that in the first half.
“We had to win the second half, it’s simple. You win it 1-0, you win the game. It’s two halves of football, it’s always about two halves of football.
“The Catalans game and Salford game here were used as a reminder. We led those two games heading into the last 10 minutes, seven minutes in one of them and we got beat. So you have got to keep playing.
“But we held together, kicked the goals we needed to kick and managed it pretty well and come up with some points at the end to put the icing on the cake. Still messy in some ways but courageous in others. It was a big effort.??
