SAINTS are still seeking their first league win at Hull KR since 2007 after they were edged 24-22 on Sunday.
A brace from Jamie Foster, a rare Matty Ashurst try and a late Lee Gaskell marker were not enough as the playoff chasing Robins fought back from behind in the second half.
It was all square at half time as both sides went toe-to-toe in an entertaining clash.
Down in the forwards through injury, Saints matched their ‘bigger’ opponents and went ahead after Sia Soliola cut through the middle of the defence to create field position for the first of Jamie Foster’s double.
Blake Green and Sam Latus then put Hull in charge but Matty Ashurst levelled it up after cute work from Jonny Lomax.
Green grabbed his second as the Robins looked to resume control – only for Foster to nab his second as the hooter went.
But Michael Dobson penalties sandwiched a Craig Hall try in a second half that Saints struggled to lay any kind of platform in – and that was the difference.
Lee Gaskell crossing as the hooter went.
Injuries reared their ugly heads once again and forced Royce Simmons to move Sia Soliola to prop to start alongside Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Chris Flannery was recalled into the second row with Jon Wilkin and Andrew Dixon retained his place at 13.
Lee Gaskell on the bench.
Saints almost scored off their first set when James Roby fed Sia Soliola – the big man breaking down the middle with Paul Wellens in support.
Saints then shipped the ball left but Leon Pryce was taken high as he attempted to ground the ball.
But from the penalty Jamie Foster finished off a slick move which had Pryce and Wilkin at the heart – totally exposing the Robins’ right hand side.
Foster converting the try from the touchline.
On 12 minutes Saints had the chance to go further ahead – but Wilkin opted to go alone instead of choosing the two men on his shoulder.
As a result, he was penalised for obstruction and from the penalty, Blake Green brought Hull KR right back into it.
And seconds later, after a massive 40:20 from Green, Sam Latus cut inside some poor defending on Saints’ left.
But Saints were soon back in it when Jonny Lomax chipped on the last to give Matty Ashurst the easiest try of his career.
Foster making it 12-10.
Blake Green nabbed his second of the night as Saints gave away a penalty, goaled by Dobson, to give the home side a 16-12 lead.
But Saints weren’t done and after the home side were penalised and Tom Armstrong held up, the ball went left and Foster grabbed his second of the afternoon to level it up at half time.
Saints had the best of the early stages and Wilkin could have had his side ahead – but was called for a double movement.
Seconds later the Hull KR faithful screamed for a penalty and it was duly given – Dobson slotting it between the posts.
McCarthy-Scarsbrook made a try saving tackle on Dobson but on 62 minutes but after three sets on Saints line, the pressure did count.
A curling chip did the damage with Craig Hall latching on to Dobson’s boot.
Dobson then added a penalty after Wilkin tripped Kris Welham – Saints #12 lucky to stay on the field – and that eventually secured the win for the Robins.
Saints had the last laugh though – Lee Gaskell finishing off a superb team move right on the hooter.
Match Summary:
Hull KR:
Tries: Green (2) Latus, Hall
Goals: Dobson (4 from 6)
Saints:
Tries: Foster (2), Ashurst, Gaskell
Goals: Foster (3 from 4)
Penalties:
Hull KR: 4
Saints: 5
HT: 16-16
FT: 22-24
REF: Steve Ganson
ATT: 8356
Teams:
Hull KR:
1. Shaun Briscoe; 19. Craig Hall, 4. Jake Webster, 3. Kris Welham, 21. Sam Latus; 6. Blake Green, 7. Michael Dobson; 20. Michael Vella, 18. Josh Hodgson, 22. Scott Taylor, 11. Clint Newton, 12. Ben Galea, 14. Liam Watts.
Subs: 9. Ben Fisher, 13. Scott Murrell, 15. Scott Wheeldon, 27. Jordan Cox.
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 24. Tom Armstrong, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 6. Leon Pryce, 20. Jonny Lomax; 4. Sia Soliola, 9. James Roby, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 13. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin, 19. Andrew Dixon.
Subs: 14. Scott Moore, 16. Paul Clough, 18. Matty Ashurst, 25. Lee Gaskell.
