Leigh 28 Hull KR 34: Ryan Hall Makes Unlucky 13 for Hosts Yorkshire News

The Rovers played for nearly 20 minutes of the second half with just 12 men and briefly fell to 11 after yellow cards from forwards Albert Vete and George Lawler.

At 24-10 after 45 minutes, Leigh, now winless in 15 games, staged a thrilling comeback to lead 28-24.

But Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s second attempt at a thrilling spectacle and Hall’s final touchdown to extend his lead as the competition’s top scorer of attempts ensured that Rovers outscored rivals Hull FC to fifth in the table in percentage. of victories.

Even then, Leigh’s captain, Liam Hood, had a potentially equalizer attempt for offside canceled.

Leigh got off to a turbocharged start, as Junior Sa’u finished a fluid move after just 58 seconds before Joe Mellor had a ‘try ruled out by video referee Liam Moore.

But Leigh couldn’t keep up his momentum, young midfielders Rowan Milnes and Mikey Lewis at the heart of a Rovers revival that brought in 14 points in seven minutes.

Kane Linnett and Greg Minikin both benefited from Milnes’ intervention, the youngster’s second angled kick thrown from the air by Brad Takairangi to send his winger running down the short side and landing.

Then it was Lewis’s turn, who provided the pass assist for Kenny-Dowall’s attempt in the 23rd minute before showing up and making an attempt in the 34th minute to make the score 18-4.

A Craig Mullen try, who also converted, dragged Leigh back into contention, but Vete’s sturdy barge, marked by Crooks, restored Rovers’ 14-point cushion.

However, that advantage quickly evaporated when the Tonga giant Vete and Lawler fell into the trash. Leigh noted the two-man advantage when Sa’u lunged for a second try. And although Vete returned, Lewis was forced to leave with a head injury.

With Rovers still under 12, Sidlow’s second attempt put Leigh back in front at 28-24.

Kiwi ace Kenny-Dowall tied the scores with his own second attempt after 67 minutes before Hall went over to the end to seal an impressive victory.

Tony Smith believes that KR’s spectacular late comeback will serve him by his side for the remainder of the Super League campaign.

“There was an ugly rugby league, a lack of control on the part of both teams,” said head coach Smith. “It was a bit messy.

“But you have those days. Going down to 11 men was huge and tests the determination of most teams.

“The other thing we haven’t had to do too much in the past is come from behind to win games. It is something we must do.

“It wasn’t planned that way and I didn’t purposely set it that way. It was not part of our tactics to go back.

“But it will do us good. It was a great experience. And we were up against a dangerous team.

“So, I’m not going to be too harsh on the players. They are working hard for each other and there is great spirit in the camp.

“The effort was there, but sometimes we lacked intelligence.

“I was completely relaxed about it,” Smith insisted on Leigh’s attempt to end his losing streak. “If we had lost, we would have lost.

Therefore, I was not panicking. As I get older, I might become a little more like this. I’m just willing to accept whatever the outcome is. “

Leigh: Brand, Russell, Thornley, Logan, Sa’u, Mellor, Mullen, Bell, Hellewell, Foster, Sidlow, Eaves, Gerrard. Substitutes: Hood, Thompson, Gee, Ioane.

KR Helmet: Crooks, Minikin, Takairangi, Kenny-Dowall, Hall, Lewis, Milnes, Sims, Hadley, Linnett, Maher, Parcell, King. Substitutes: Go Litten, Lawler, Storton.

Referee: Chris Kendall (RFL).