Saints » Results

HULL KR scored three tries in twelve second half minutes to hand Saints their sixth league loss of the season.

Jake Webster and a double from Daniel Fitzhenry eased the Robins to a 26-10 victory as well as their first Super League double over the Saints.

Saints found themselves 6-4 down at half time after dominating the majority of the possession and territory in the first half.

They plugged away for the opening 20 minutes but got no joy from the Robins’ defence until Leon Pryce’s 40:20 opened up the space for Jamie Ellis to feed James Graham for his seventh of the season.

Saints could have increased their lead on a couple more occasions but they were outdone when a loose pass was picked up by Kris Welham who went 50 yards for Hull KR to draw level – Michael Dobson putting them ahead with the conversion.

In the second half, three KR tries in 12 minutes finished off the game as a contest and whilst Saints toiled, they couldn’t get through a resolute defence.

Mick Potter had to make a couple of late changes to his side; Kyle Eastmond and Chris Dean both missing out with injury. That meant a call up for Jamie Ellis in the scrum half berth – his first ‘start’ in the red vee – and Lee Gilmour switching back to centre.

Andrew Dixon covered Gilly’s absence in the pack and Gary Wheeler made his first appearance in the 17 since he was injured in the Warrington game back in July.

Hull KR named an expected side with former Saint Nick Fozzard making a return after being reportedly ‘dropped’ for the last two matches.

After a poignant minutes’ silence for the fallen during the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Saints kicked off and proceeded to dominate the vast majority of the play.

James Roby kicked a 40:40 after five minutes to unlock the defence, but Lee Gilmour just couldn’t gather the pass with the line begging.

On 22 minutes, Leon Pryce matched Robes’ achievement and put Saints in prime territory. And they didn’t disappoint. Francis Meli went close before the ball went right from Roby and Pryce to Ellis, who floated the ball for a steaming Graham to run on to. Ellis wide with the extras.

Saints continued to knock at the door, but couldn’t get through, and to be honest, didn’t look like conceding either – with Wellens, Gardner and Meli covering everything Michael Dobson threw at them.

Then, with two minutes to go, a pass went loose and Kris Welham mopped up. Dobson added the extras to put KR ahead going into half time.

Half Time: Hull KR 6 Saints 4

In the second half, a cute Michael Dobson kick caused Saints to drop out and from there, Jake Webster ran on to the ball and put Rovers further ahead.

Two minutes later, Fitzhenry got the first of his brace and then 12 minutes into the half, he drove over from the play the ball.

Saints continued to battle – Jamie Ellis in particular looking lively but Peter Fox finished the game as a contest with ten minutes to go.

As the hooter went, Saints won a penalty and Jamie Ellis kicked into the corner for Ade Gardner to grab a scant consolation.

Match Summary:

Hull KR:

Tries: Welham, Webster, Fitzhenry (2), Fox

Goals: Dobson (3 from 5)

Saints:

Tries: Graham, Gardner

Goals: Ellis (1 from 2)

Penalties:

Hull KR: 3

Saints: 3

HT (Sts First): 4-6

FT (Sts First): 10-26

REF: Steve Ganson

ATT:

Teams:

Hull KR:

1. Shaun Briscoe; 2. Peter Fox, 4. Jake Webster, 19. Kris Welham, 5. Liam Colbon; 6. Paul Cooke, 7. Michael Dobson; 8. Nick Fozzard, 15. Daniel Fitzhenry, 20. Michael Vella, 11. Clint Newton, 12. Ben Galea, 28. Ben Cockayne.

Subs: 3. Chev Walker, 16. Jason Netherton, 18. Scott Wheeldon, 21. Chaz I’Anson.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 11. Lee Gilmour, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 27. Jamie Ellis; 10. James Graham, 14. James Roby, 16. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery, 24. Andrew Dixon.

Subs: 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 17. Paul Clough, 21. Gary Wheeler, 28. Matty Ashurst.