NEEDING a good performance to back up last week’s victory over the “Auld Enemy” the Saints turned in a below par display to again lose in what has become a bit of a graveyard for the U19s over the years.
Having said that they could, and arguably should, have won in the dying seconds – eventually being edged 20-16. Unfortunately Morgan Knowles was ruled offside in gathering Lewis Charnock’s chip over the defensive line before feeding Charnock for the score under the sticks which he could have converted blindfolded to give the Saints the win.
In total contrast to yesterday’s sunny conditions the match started in a downpour and was played for the most part in the rain.
However, the Saints started brightly taking the play to the home side and opened the scoring with a well taken try from Lewis Galbraith in the right corner.
Dave Hewitt’s neat grubber had given the Saints a repeat set. The ball was spread to the right on the third tackle catching the defence on the hop and giving the winger just enough space to get on the outside of his opposite number. To avoid touch he grubbered forward and won the race to the touchdown.
The conditions and some poor ball control and discipline then took over to pin the Saints deep in their own half for the remaining half hour.
As hard as they tried, however, Rovers never looked like penetrating the resolute defensive line until the final minute of the half.
Another repeat set after another careless penalty resulted in the hooker diving under the posts to level the scores at the break.
The Saints found themselves right against the wall as Rovers scored two tries in the opening 15 minutes to open a ten point lead.
On the hour André Savelio got the Saints back in it with a try in the right corner. Hewitt’s grubber and a good chase had earned a repeat set from which the ball was worked wide to Savelio who had too much for the cover.
The big prop was held up over the line five minutes later as the Saints started to mount a charge but again poor play needed a try saving tackle from Galbraith to keep the Saints in touch.
The home team again scored a try after a kick through beating some lethargic cover to the touch down.
As time ran out the Saints finally got some ball in the Rovers half and started to look dangerous.
Firstly Matty Fleming was held over the line and then big defence forced the knock on in the home 20 metre area. From the scrum quick hands found Ricky Bailey free on the left wing and he scooted in for the try.
With time running out Savelio went on a trademark bullocking 40 metre run from his own half swatting defenders away without a care to put the Saints in position for a final hurrah. Unfortunately the officials saw it differently to the Saints bench and the game was gone.
In truth this was a game that the Saints didn’t deserve to win. Defensively, especially in the first half, the Saints were great and rarely troubled but the attack struggled to find any fluency.
Centres Fleming and Jake Spedding along with Matty Fozard, Olly Davies and Morgan Knowles all had their customary quietly efficient games but as a team the Saints didn’t come together.
Match Summary:
Hull KR:
Tries: Alex Gilbey 2, Macca Duke, Elliott Bulmer.
Goals: Connor Robinson 2.
Saints:
Tries: Ricky Bailey, Lewis Galbraith, André Savelio.
Goals: Lewis Charnock, Dave Hewitt.
Half Time: 6-6
Full Time: 16-20
Teams:
Hull KR:
1. Josh Gudziek; 2. Corey Sanderson, 4. Alex Gilbey, 3. Macca Hallett, 2. Jack Stewart; 6. Matty Marsh, 7. Connor Robinson; 19. Chris Smith, 9. Macca Duke, 10. Ryan Devaney, 11. Aiden Armstrong, 12. Harry Aldous, 20. Kieran Moran.
Subs: 8. Tom Sullivan, 15. Elliott Bulmer, 21. Liam Wake, 23. Will Jubb.
Saints:
1. Ricky Bailey; 5. Lewis Galbraith, 4. Matty Fleming, 3. Jake Spedding, 2. Adam Saunders; 6. Lewis Charnock, 7. Dave Hewitt; 8. Phil Atherton, 9. Aaron Smith, 15. Matty Fozard, 11. Liam Cooper, 12. Olly Davies, 13. Morgan Knowles.
Subs: 10. André Savelio, 16. Chris Worrall, 17. Ross McCauley, 18. Danny Richardson.
