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Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons (H) 30 - 16 W |
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01/08/08 |
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New Craven Park
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Richard Silverwood
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Catalans Dragons
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30 - 16
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Hull Kingston Rovers responded to coach Justin Morgan’s play-off
challenge by producing a fine performance to overcome the Catalans
Dragons 30-16 at Craven Park.
A run of six defeats in seven league games had left the Robins’ bid to
reach the top six in severe danger, but Morgan this week told his men
that four wins out of their last five games could see them make the
cut.
This win over Mick Potter’s Catalans side - who already have their
play-off spot assured - got their quest off to the perfect start, and
it was a victory they thoroughly deserved.
There was little between the sides in the opening half, but Rovers were
far more enthusiastic than their opponents in the second, although had
Catalans been more ruthless with the ball then the scoreline could
easily have been reversed.
With Morgan still refusing to pick Paul Cooke for disciplinary reasons
the loose forward watched from the stands with his agent as his side
opened up an interval lead that they would never relinquish.
Whilst Catalans remained the more composed side throughout a tight
opening period, Rovers looked the most dangerous, especially with the
chaotic running of Stanley Gene driving them forward.
The veteran laid on Chaz I’Anson’s try just before the interval after
bouncing his way through the Catalans defence, allowing Rovers to lead
12-10 when the hooter sounded.
Catalans started the brighter with a promising chance for Younes
Khattabi, but they had to wait until the 20th minute to open the
scoring when Greg Mounis nipped in to ground after an excellent
stand-up pass from Aaron Gorrell.
Sebastien Raguin’s length-of-the-field run set up the score, but Rovers
were soon level despite losing Chris Chester to a nasty-looking neck
injury that held up play for five minutes.
Kris Welham was the scorer of their try, following up Michael Dobson’s
kick before kicking ahead himself and touching down with some ease.
The visitors hit back and should have posted an instant response when
Adam Mogg threw out a forward pass after bursting through three
tackles.
A second French try did follow though, with Khattabi overpowering three
home defenders for a score that was given with benefit of the doubt by
video referee Richard Silverwood.
I’Anson then pounced to nose Rovers in front for the first time and
their momentum carried over into the second half as Ben Fisher extended
their lead with a third try, taking in an offload from Jason Netherton
to race clear and score.
Dobson then had a try chalked off by Silverwood before Catalans very nearly hit back with a score of their own.
Bosc had three support runners as he skipped clear and could have
easily picked any of them out, but he was far too casual with his pass
and saw the ball picked up by the covering Ben Galea.
The stand-off was made to pay too as Ben Cockayne slid over for a
fourth home try after a fine run from Dobson, and when Mick Vella
slipped over after some nice work from Ben Galea, the home side were
cruising.
Vincent Duport did steal an immediate response for the Dragons as he
swooped on a loose ball following a scramble close to the line, and a
second in as many minutes would have followed had Greenshields’ pass to
Khattabi not been forward, but the Dragons had left themselves with too
much to do. |
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| Cockayne, Fox, Welham, Lovegrove, Steel, Galea, Dobson, Crossman, Fisher, Mills, Vella, Gene, Chester. |
Greenshields, Wilson, Mogg, Raguin, Khattabi, Bosc, McGuire, Chan, Gorrell, Elima, Mounis, Croker, Carlaw. |
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