Saints see off brave Rovers to maintain unbeaten start

Saints fought off a resilient Hull KR side to win their fourth game in a row on the back of the restart following a 32-12 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Coming into this one, Saints were without Tommy Makinson through suspension and Mark Percival through injury and a bruising encounter saw Saints Theo Fages limp off early in the first half with a knee injury, as well as former Saint Adam Quinlan who has reportedly broken a wrist.

It was Saints who came out of the traps quickest scoring after just five minutes through in form man Alex Walmsley. Having trapped former Saint Quinlan in goal, Saints got a fresh set of six on the Hull KR line, and the powerhouse drove through to score to the right of the sticks. Lachlan Coote kicked the conversion, giving the men in blue an early 6-0 lead.

After a few near misses, Saints doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Captain James Roby picked up on a dropped ball and found Jonny Lomax, who threw a huge cut-out pass out right over three players to find stand-in winger Jack Welsby to score in the corner. Coote added the extras to give Saints a 12-0 lead.

Hull KR got one back in the 24 minute, working the ball out right, and Quinlan dummied before stretching between the defence to touch down in the corner. Jamie Ellis converted to leave the score 12-6.

Rovers were on the up and came straight back at Saints, scoring in the 26th minute. Ellis’ looping ball to the far corner caused trouble for Regan Grace, who was making his 100th Saints appearance, but he couldn’t hold it and Ethan Ryan reacted first to dive on the ball to score. Ellis was unable to convert, meaning Saints still led.

Rovers pulled the score back to level on the hooter through an Ellis penalty, leaving it 12-12 at the break.

Saints started the second as we did the first and retook the lead in the 48th minute through Kevin Naiqama, his first try since Round One against Salford Red Devils. Quick play down the right found Coote who offloaded with great speed to find Naiqama who bolted through a gap in the defence to score. Coote scored the conversion, leaving the score 18-12.

Aaron Smith added a fourth in the 59th minute from dummy half after some lovely quick feet saw the hooker dance in between two tackles and dive over the line to the left off the sticks. Coote converted, giving Saints a 24-12 lead.

Three minutes later Welsby got his second of the match. Saints pushed down the right and James Roby, filling in for Fages in the halves, threw the ball out wide where Welsby held his run well before driving in to the corner to score. Coote maintained his 100% kicking record to give Saints a 30-12 lead.

Matt Parcell mirrored Smith’s try at the other end, squeezing over from dummy half to get Rovers over for a second half try. Ellis converted, leaving the score 30-12 after 71 minutes.

Rovers were penalised for a high tackle on Matty Lees, and Coote added two points with a penalty to give Saints a 32-12 lead with seven minutes to go.

Naiqama thought he’d score a second with a minute to go, but Lomax’ pass went forwards, and that was the last action of a gripping encounter, as Saints came away with a hard fought 32-18 victory.

Match Summary

Hull KR 13: Adam Quinlan, Ethan Ryan, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kane Linnett, Greg Minikin, Ryan Brierley, Jamie Ellis, Nathaniel Peteru, Matt Parcell, George Lawler, Matty Gee, Matthew Storton, Weller Hauraki.

Interchanges: Dean Hadley, Daniel Murray, Robbie Mulhern, Will Maher.

Tries: Quinlan (24), Ryan (26)

Goals: Ellis

Penalties: Ellis (40)

Saints 13: Lachlan Coote, Jack Welsby, Kevin Naiqama, Matty Costello, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, James Bentley, Zeb Taia, James Graham.

Interchanges: Dominic Peyroux, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Aaron Smith.

Tries: Walmsley (6), Welsby (15, 61), Naiqama (48), Smith (59)

Goals: Coote (5)

Penalties: Coote (73)

Half time: 12-12

Full Time: 32-18

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

Saints Line up

1 Lachlan Coote
1 Jack Welsby
3 Kevin Naiqama
21 Matthew Costello
5 Regan Grace
7 Jonny Lomax
7 Theo Fages
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
11 Zeb Taia
12 James Bentley
32 James Graham
12 Dominique Peyroux
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
18 Kyle Amor
19 Aaron Smith

Hull KR Line up

1 Adam Quinlan
2 Ethan Ryan
3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
4 Kane Linnett
5 Gregory Minikin
6 Ryan Brierley
7 Jamie Ellis
8 Nathaniel Peteru
9 Matt Parcell
10 George Lawler
11 Matthew Gee
12 Matthew Storton
13 Weller Hauraki
14 Dean Hadley
15 Daniel Murray
16 Rob Mulhern
17 William Maher

Last updated 30 Aug 20 14:52:45

FT: 🔴⚪ Hull KR 18-32 Saints 🔵⚪

A much improved second half display sees Saints come away with the two points after tries from Welsby (2), Walmsley, Naiqama and Smith.

79'

Lomax finds Naiqama out wide, but the referee calls a forward pass…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 18-32 Saints 🔵⚪

79'

LMS bursts through the line and finds Naiqama but he is held up and we will come again with just over a minute to go!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 18-32 Saints 🔵⚪

📸 A try for Az Smith this afternoon!

@plattyphoto

74'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Rovers are penalised for a high shot on Lees and Cooooote adds the two!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 18-32 Saints 🔵⚪

71'
Try
Matt Parcell for Hull KR

Parcell does what Smith did minutes earlier, scooting over from dummy half and the Rovers are on the board in the second half. Ellis converts.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 18-30 Saints 🔵⚪

70'

Welsby runs the ball dead after a clever Hull KR kick forces pressure. Time to defend, as Cooote drops out.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-30 Saints 🔵⚪

📸 LMS with a driving run!

@plattyphoto

64'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooote again is successful with his touchline kick and the 30 points is up!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-30 Saints 🔵⚪

63'
Try
Jack Welsby for Saints

We are in again! Roby again involved as his pass finds Welsby who grabs his second, strolling over in the corner!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-28 Saints 🔵⚪

61'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooote adds the extras and we have a 12 point lead!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-24 Saints 🔵⚪

60'
Try
Aaron Smith for Saints

YESSS! Az Smith dives over from dummy half after good play from James Bentley and Graham!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-22 Saints 🔵⚪

56'

Graham is back on for Peyroux who has been impressive on his return…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-18 Saints 🔵⚪

52'

Good defence sees Peyroux come up with it and we come forward as Walmsley is back on for Matty Lees…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-18 Saints 🔵⚪

50'

Costello does well to force a Hull KR knock on before Grace loses the ball on the next pass! Rovers then win a set restart…time to defend, Saints!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-18 Saints 🔵⚪

48'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooote adds the two to extend our lead!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-18 Saints 🔵⚪

47'
Try
Kevin Naiqama for Saints

GET IN!! Kevy strolls in after latching onto a short ball from Coooote and we are back in front! That’s more like it, boys!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-16 Saints 🔵⚪

📸 @regangrace5 on his 100th Saints appearance! Can he come up with another special try in this second half?

@plattyphoto

45'

Saints win a fresh set of six and look to make it count as Kyle Amor puts on a smart step, but loses the ball when trying to offload before Hull KR win a penalty.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-12 Saints 🔵⚪

43'

A sharp start by the Saints as Lomax and Roby link up and find Welsby, but his kick is into the hands of a Rovers defender…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-12 Saints 🔵⚪

41'

We are back underway in the second half and it doesn’t look like Fages will come back on as he takes his seat in the dug-out.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-12 Saints 🔵⚪

HT: 🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-12 Saints 🔵⚪

It’s all square at the break. We took a 12-0 lead through tries from Walmsley and Welsby, before Hull KR responded with tries from Quinlan and Ryan plus an Ellis penalty.

40'
Goal
Jamie Ellis for Hull KR

Saints concede a penalty for a high shot right on the half-time hooter and Ellis kicks the two and it’s all square…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 12-12 Saints 🔵⚪

39'

Bentley is held up on the Hull KR line, but it was on the last so the Rovers will come away with it as we approach the break…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

37'

Saints seem to have gathered their composure and are seeing most of the ball now as Smith is clattered and is down with a head injury. He is up and OK…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

32'

Hull KR kick a 40-20 as Ellis is held up on the Saints line before Bentley comes up with the ball! Theo Fages has limped off injured and Roby has gone into the halves with Smith on.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

28'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

28'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

28'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

28'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

25'
Goal
Jamie Ellis for Hull KR

Jamie Ellis converts from the right.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 6-12 Saints 🔵⚪

27'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

27'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

This time Ethan Ryan does score as he touches down a high Hull KR kick on the right side. The video referee looked at it after a push on Jonny Lomax, but the try is given. Ellis misses.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 10-12 Saints 🔵⚪

25'
Goal
Jamie Ellis for Hull KR

Jamie Ellis converts from the right.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 6-12 Saints 🔵⚪

24'
Try
Ethan Ryan for Hull KR

Ethan Ryan scores for Hull KR touching down in the far right corner.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 4-12 Saints 🔵⚪

22'

Dom Peyroux is on for his first appearance since the restart as Zeb Taia makes way!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-12 Saints 🔵⚪

📸 The skipper with a neat assist for Walmsley’s opening try!

@plattyphoto

17'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooote nails the touchline conversion to extend our lead!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-12 Saints 🔵⚪

16'
Try
Jack Welsby for Saints

James Bentley wins the ball back in the Hull KR half and Lomax finds Welsby out wide with a wonderful cut-out pass as the stand-in winger strolls in! Get innn!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-10 Saints 🔵⚪

14'

Coooote breaks through the line as he latches onto a short ball from James Graham. Our full back finds Grace out wide before the ball is swung to the right, but Naiqama loses the ball.

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-6 Saints 🔵⚪

📷 Big @engywalmsley powers his way over for the opening score of the game! 💪🏻

@plattyphoto

10'

We are close to going in again out wide, as Cooote finds Fages, but his pass is knocked on before Jack Welsby, filling in for Tommy Makinson out wide, can get the ball down…

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-6 Saints 🔵⚪

6'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote converts the two and we lead early here in Warrington!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-6 Saints 🔵⚪

5'
Try
Alex Walmsley for Saints

Saints get a fresh set of six right on the Hull KR line and we take advantage as Big Alex Walmsley powers his way over to the right of the sticks! The perfect start!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-4 Saints 🔵⚪

4'

A good start from the Saints sees Theo Fages’ high swirling bomb taken by former Saint Adam Quinlan who is trapped in goal and we will come again!

🔴⚪ Hull KR 0-0 Saints 🔵⚪

Here we go! The action kicks off at the Halliwell Jones Stadium! 🔵⚪

You can follow all the action live in our Match Blog! 👇

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/matches/2020/first-team/hull-kr-v-saints-2020-08-30/