A 70th-minute try from cult hero Sam Lisone snatched the win for Rohan Smith’s side, but an inspired brace from birthday boy Ash Handley and five goals from Rhyse Martin helped propel them to the win.
Salford dominated much of the opening exchanges, and this helped Marc Sneyd notch the first points off the tee.
Leeds came back firing though, and quickly pulled level. A high tackle from Ryan Brierley saw him sent for a 10-minute breather and gave Rhyse Martin the perfect chance to open his account for the year.
Despite being a man down, it was the Red Devils who scored the next points as Cade Cust scored his first in Salford colours. A wicked kick from Sneyd gave the visitors the ball just 5 meters out, and his grubber bounced perfectly for Cust to score under the sticks
Leeds had to weather a Salford storm after this, but a superb solo effort from Ash Handley helped pull the sides level again. The winger put the afterburners on to run almost the length of the pitch, running around former teammate Nene Macdonald in the process.
Salford regained the lead in the dying embers of the first half through Oli Partington. The Red Devils again gained valuable territory from the boot of Sneyd; and they made the most of this gift as Partington burrowed over from close range to give his side a deserved half-time lead.
Leeds came flying out of the traps in the second half, and Handley reaped the rewards to grab his second of the night.
A fantastic piece of skill from Lachie Miller got the Rhinos on the front foot, but it took a cheeky grubber kick from Martin to split the defence open and send the English winger over in the corner.
The Rhinos hammered the Salford line, but to no avail as the Red Devils stood tall. This defensive effort allowed the visitors claw their way back into the game and march into the Leeds 10m, and eventually put them back into the lead.
A high tackle from Paul Momirovski saw the new arrival sent to the bin, and Sneyd knocked over his forth goal of the night.
As was the case in the first half, the yellow card lit a fire under the Rhinos bellies and they hammered the Salford line. An intervention from Amir Bourouh saw him sent to the bin, and Martin added his forth goal of the night.
He wouldn’t have to wait long for his fifth either, as Sam Lisone charged in for a try. The powerful Tongan prop cut a fantastic line to put his side in front for the first time.
The home side had to whether a late storm of their own in the dying embers, as Salford piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
They nearly got it from a sweeping move down the right edge, however a crucial tackle from Man of the Match Handley killed the move in it’s tracks and ultimately helped keep the two points in Headingley.
Tries: Handley (2), Lisone
Goals: Martin (5/5)
Tries: Cust, Partington
Goals: Sneyd (4/4)
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A last gasp effort from Rory Hutchinson stole the win for the Saints, but other tries from George Furbank and Callum Braley and an brilliant Ollie Sleightholme hat trick were enough to move the visitors back to the top of the Premiership table.
Both teams needed a fast start in this top of the table clash, but it would be the home side who dominated the early exchanges as they secured the bonus point in just 20 minutes.
The afternoon’s first try came through Jacques Vermeulen, who dotted down after some powerful pick and go’s from the Chiefs pack.
The second would come from in-form winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. A floated pass from Harvey Skinner fell perfectly into his path, but he still needed to pull off an acrobatic finish in the corner for the try.
Feyi-Waboso’s effort was swiftly followed by another try as Stu Townsend strolled in unopposed. A clever short lineout saw Jack Yeandle charge down the wing, and the experienced hooker put it on a plate for the scrum-half, who made no mistake.
If this wasn’t enough for the Sandy Park faithful, Vermeulen would secure the all important try-bonus point as he powered over from short range.
With the game in danger of slipping away from the Saints, they needed to hit back-which they did.
Chiefs skipper Dafydd Jenkins would be sent to the bin for a high tackle on his opposing captain George Furbank; and the Saints took full advantage of the numerical advantage with two quick tries.
The first came directly from the penalty as they tapped and went, which allowed Callum Braley to sneak over from short range. His effort was swiftly followed by an Ollie Sleightholme try. A pinpoint kick from Furbank fell perfectly into the path of Tom Litchfield, who sent his wing partner Sleightholme over for the try.
Fin Smith would be on hand to add both conversions to make it 26-14 going into the half-time break.
It was a turgid start to the second-half. Kick-tennis took over, but neither team could gain the upper hand.
No sooner had Dafydd Jenkins returned to the field Henry Slade would be sent for a 10-minute breather. The England centre collided with his opposite number Odendaal, and the Saints were again up a man. Could they make the Chiefs pay for their ill-discipline?
They sure could, as Furbank was put through a gaping hole in the Chiefs defensive line to score, with Smith again slotting the conversion. The momentum was starting to shift towards the visitors now.
Saints would make the most of this growing momentum as they took the lead through Sleightholme. Clever work from Alex Mitchell around the ruck saw him scamper through the Chiefs line, and he connected with Sleightholme for the score.
This try brought the game back to life, with the leads exchanging hands twice in three minutes.
Chiefs thought they had scored through replacement Ross Vincent, but his effort was stricken off. Luckily for Rob Baxter’s men though they had the penalty advantage, and Henry Slade slotted the three pointer to make it 29-28.
They weren’t ahead for long though as Sleightholme completed his hat-trick. Powerful work in the pack drew the defence in, and then silky play in the backs got the ball out to the winger for his third. Smith was again on target from the tee and the Saints led by six.
In a reverse of the opening 40, it felt like the game was getting away from the home side as they couldn’t break through the stubborn Saints defence. A moment of magic was needed-step forward Rusi Tuima.
The young lock threw a lovely inside pass to Greg Fisilau, who broke through the line. Fisilau shifted the ball onto Tom Cairns, who in turn found Tuima to finish off the move. Slade’s conversion was good, and Exeter were ahead by one with just seven minutes left.
The drama didn’t end there though as Northampton snatched the win at the death. Short range plays from the Saints forwards drew in the Exeter defence, which allowed space for Rory Hutchinson to break Exeter hearts. Smith added his sixth conversion to end the game 42-36 to the visitors.
Exeter Chiefs: 36
Tries: Vermeulen (2), Feyi-Waboso, Townsend, Tuima
Conversions: Slade (4/5)
Penalties: Slade (1/1)
Northampton Saints: 42
Tries: Braley, Sleightholme (3), Furbank, Hutchinson
Conversions: Smith (6/6)
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The Saints are currently on a six game winning run, including last weeks statement 21-17 victory over Sale Sharks, but they will be keen to make it seven in Devon.
Wins against Saracens, Gloucester and Harlequins have helped guide Phil Dowson’s side to the top of the table over the festive period, the first time they have been at the summit since 2019.
Much has been made of the Chiefs home form in recent times, but Northampton boss Sam Vesty said his side were not thinking about that ahead of the game.
“It’s the same (as any other game), it still starts at nil-nil and it lasts 80 minutes. I think that’s the mindset that you’ve got to have and we focus on ourselves and doing what we want to do and putting that on the park,” said Vesty.
They also boast an impressive record at Sandy Park as they have beaten the Chiefs on two of their last three visits to the South West, but will they make it three from four on Saturday?
In team news, Phil Dowson has given full-back George Furbank the captains arm band this week, and Furbank will link up with Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Litchfield in the back three.
Dowson has resisted the urge to start Tommy Freeman at outside centre this week, as Rory Hutchinson and Burger Odendaal line-up in the midfield. Fin Smith again gets the nod at fly-half, but he will be partnered up with Callum Braley who makes his first Premiership start of the season at scrum-half.
Up front, Tarek Haffar makes his first Premiership start too, as he joins Cornwall-native Sam Matavesi and Trevor Davison in the front row. Alex Moon and Chunya Munga line up in the second-row as Alex Coles slots in at flanker this weekend in place of Courtney Lawes. Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham complete the starting line-up.
Dowson has opted for a tasty looking bench this week as Curtis Langdon, Tom Pearson, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and the afore mentioned Freeman are all listed.
For the Chiefs, they will be looking to defend their fortress again this weekend as they look to maintain their 14-month unbeaten run at home, but it will be anything other than a walk in the park against table-toppers Northampton.
However, Rob Baxter insists his new-look young team should ‘be delighted’ by moments like these.
“The last thing I said to the players was this is a top of the table clash. This is brilliant, there’s no pressure here, this is just fun, this is just great. Every single one of you should be delighted by playing in these kind of games because the lads are enjoying it.” said Baxter
Rob Baxter’s men are also in something of a purple patch themselves ahead of this top of the table clash, with wins in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Last week’s win against Bristol was yet another huge statement from this young group, who are punching well above their weight this season. A win on Saturday would also see them leapfrog the Saints and move into first place in the table, but can they take this opportunity?
In team news, Baxter has made five changes to the side that beat Bristol last weekend.
Jack Yeandle returns to the side at hooker, and he is sandwiched between Nika Abuladze and Josh Iosefa-Scott in the front row. Lewis Pearson comes in for Rusi Tuima in the second-row, and Pearson will again link-up with skipper Dafydd Jenkin in the engine room.
Jacques Vermeulen returns to the starting team and he features alongside Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau in the back-row.
In the back division, Stu Townsend and Harvey Skinner will continue their blossoming half-back partnership. Joe Hawkins returns to the starting line-up in place of Ollie Devoto. The Welsh international will feature alongside man of the moment Henry Slade in the centres, and Tommy Wyatt returns to the side at full-back.
The red hot Immanuel Feyi-Waboso again features on the wing, as does Ben Hammersley after his cameo in the 15 jersey last week.
On the bench, in-form prop Ehran Painter will look to make an impact against his former employer.
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (c), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Litchfield, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Callum Braley; 1 Tarek Haffar, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Alex Moon, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Alex Coles, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 8 Sam Graham
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Tommy Freeman
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Tommy Wyatt, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ben Hammersley, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend; 1 Nika Abuladze, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements: 16 Max Norey, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Zack Wimbush
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Northampton romped to an impressive 34-19 victory against the Chiefs at Franklin’s Gardens back in November; but ahead of the sides next meeting at Sandy park this weekend Baxter has laid out what his side need to do to avoid another ‘seeing to’.
“Well, I mean they gave us a bit of a bit of a seeing to up at Franklin’s Gardens, so we’re very aware that there’s a lot of threats there,” he said.
“We’ve got to do two things. We’ve got to start well because we didn’t start well up at Franklin’s Gardens; and then we’ve got to show resilience and fight across the 80 minutes because they’re also very capable of scoring quickly towards the end of the game.”
Northampton Saints are unbeaten in their seven of their last eight games in all competitions ahead of this weekends meeting-a run which includes the previous meeting with the Chiefs back in November.
This good run of form has seen the Saints skyrocket up the Premiership table and they now sit at the summit; and it has drawn very high praise from the Exeter boss.
“I think they’re enjoying what they’re doing. I’ve said this for years, when you watch teams enjoying what they do, you know there’s always going to be a threat because there’s a reason teams enjoy what they’re doing, because training is going well and the performances are going well”
“There’s a lot they’ve got going right. Their set-piece is functioning. Defensively they’re functioning pretty well. There’s a lot of good things to say about them.”
Despite the mass exodus of the ‘golden generation’, Exeter also find themselves in great form this season and come into this weekend’s clash second in the table. A win for Rob Baxter’s men would also see them leapfrog the Saints into first place.
Whilst this could create some pressure, Baxter was very keen to highlight his players should enjoy moments like these.
“The last thing I said to the players was this is a top of the table clash. This is brilliant, there’s no pressure here, this is just fun, this is just great. Every single one of you should be delighted by playing in these kind of games because the lads are enjoying it.”
He also added the club are very much in the ‘week by week’ mindset: “I think we’re enjoying ourselves week by week. I think we’re keeping pretty level-headed on results.”
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Freeman-who has already won two caps for his country-was part of Steve Borthwick’s wider World Cup squad last summer, however he was not selected to go to the tournament in France.
Speaking to members of the media yesterday ahead of his side’s clash against Exeter Chiefs, Freeman detailed that conversations have taken place with Steve Borthwick ahead of the Six Nations this Spring.
“We’ve had a few conversations,” he said. “There were a few work-ons post World Cup camp that he made me go away and work on; so we’ve remained in touch but it’s all pretty quiet at the moment. Hopefully I hear from him very soon.”
Freeman has previously featured on the wing for England, however if he is recalled to Borthwick’s squad he could be wearing 13.
This season, the Saints back has shifted across into outside centre, however he opened up about finding it tough at first.
“It was tough at the start,” he said. “I probably struggled defensively at the start.”
Freeman has quickly found his feet in this new position though and has quickly showed what an asset he can be in the centres; and arguably his best performance came in the Saints recently Champions Cup victory over Glasgow as he was named Man of the Match.
Being in the 13 channel means Freeman is often in different areas of the pitch than he would be as a winger, and he told the media how much he enjoys working in these new spaces
“I feel like I’m popping up in different spaces and getting my hand on the ball a lot more. I’ve really enjoyed it and hopefully I can get a few more games there.”
He added: “It’s something I can add to my game. I’m getting good knowledge of being on the wing and understanding the 13 role and vice versa. It’s something that I obviously want to add to my game and maybe in the future for sure it’s a position I’d be looking to get after.”
Freeman’s new ability to cover both wing and 13 could make him an even more enticing player for Steve Borthwick, especially following the departure of Joe Marchant to France; and Freeman highlighted this ‘plays into his favour’.
“He’s quite happy with versatility, so that played into my favour. Having full-back and wing in the locker is definitely adding to the strength and now being at centre is a big one.”
Whilst this puts him in a good position to be called up, Freeman opened up on one of the parts of his game Borthwick wanted him to work on.
“The main focus I took from Steve’s chats was the high-ball focus; making that a super-strength of mine, which I will continue to do and hopefully not give him any excuse not to pick me.”
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The Devon side are unbeaten in their last 24 home matches-a run which stretches over 14 months; however the Saints travel down to the South West in fine form themselves as they sit top of the table.
Speaking to members of the media yesterday, Vesty described the mindset his group of players are in coming into this weekends clash.
“It’s the same (as any other game), it still starts at nil-nil and it lasts 80 minutes. I think that’s the mindset that you’ve got to have and we focus on ourselves and doing what we want to do and putting that on the park.” he said.
“It’s obviously a big challenge and I think they’re playing some really good rugby, their defence is putting teams under a lot of pressure and I think they’re playing with a lot of belief. They know exactly what they are and they look good being that.” he added.
“The challenge for us is being the best as we can be and taking it down on the road and really putting it on the park on Saturday. But I think you can overthink some of those things if you think too hard.”
Whilst the Chiefs are basking in glorious home form of late, the Saints have won their last three away games in all competitions-seeing off the likes of Saracens, Gloucester and Glasgow Warriors.
Their recent away form is one of the reasons they find themselves at the summit coming into the latest round of Premiership fixtures, and Vesty detailed why his side have finally delivered on their promise.
“I think there’s belief in what we’re doing and there’s trust in what the boys are doing and you only get that from doing it on the pitch and the experience of doing that.”
He added: “I think having, putting it together and having gone through some experiences, they know how to cope with those situations that perhaps in the past have we’ve struggled with a little bit and that experience is it is important and that belief and the trust that comes from knowing what you’re trying to do is evident I think.”
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A penalty try, alongside scores from Jacques Vermeulen, Henry Slade and Rusi Tuima were enough to steer the Chiefs to victory in front of a record breaking crowd at Sandy Park.
The home side would lay their stall out early, with two tries in the first ten minutes. The first would come through South African powerhouse Jacques Vermeulen, who crashed over from short range, and Leicester’s George Martin would cost his side seven more points just three minutes later.
The young England international tackled Rory O’Loughlin off the ball which gifted Exeter a penalty try and saw him placed on the naughty step for 10 minutes.
Trench warfare ensued after the early excitement, with both teams throwing the kitchen sink at each other. The next score felt crucial.
Exeter would have two golden opportunities to score this all important try, but it came to no avail. The first was probably the best of the pair. A great break found the ball in Lewis Pearson’s hands and the Chiefs had a three on one, but the towering second-rower caught white line fever and kept it himself-and ultimately let the chance go begging.
Jack Yeandle was on hand to dot down from short range shortly after; however it was stricken off for double movement. Momentum was still firmly with the Chiefs though, and they would eventually get their just deserved try.
A sloppy pass from Handre Pollard fell to floor, and the man of the moment Henry Slade reacted quickest to scoop the ball up and race home. He would knock over the easy conversion to make it 21-0 at the break, but it felt like a long way back for the visitors from here.
With play getting back underway, Exeter’s dominance in the scrum was clear for all to see and it helped Rob Baxter’s men their first points of the second half. A scrum penalty within kicking range gave Henry Slade an easy way to add to his points haul, and the centre duly obliged.
With the game seemingly getting away from the Tigers, they needed to score.
They nearly grabbed one back through Jasper Weise, but the powerful forward was denied by a sacrifice play from Tommy Wyatt; but they wouldn’t be held back for long as Anthony Watson crossed out wide.
Powerful work from the pack sucked in the Chiefs defence, and a lofted pass from Pollard found its way to Watson in acers of space to score. Pollard couldn’t add the conversion.
Poor execution and ill-discipline from the Chiefs would gift Leicester territory, which the visitors would eventually turn into points.
In a carbon copy to their first try, powerful work from the forwards sucked the defenders in, and a looping pass from former Chief Solomone Kata would connect with Freddie Steward out wide for the score. Jamie Shillcock couldn’t add the conversion.
Trench warfare would again ensue in the closing quarter, but there would be one last hurrah as Rusi Tuima secured the bonus point for the home side.
A fantastic break from Tommy Wyatt moved the Chiefs into touching distance of the line, and Tuima would make the most of this opportunity as he scored the all important forth try to give Exeter fans an early Christmas present.
Tries: Vermeulen, Penalty Try, Slade, Tuima
Conversions: Slade 2/3
Penalties: Slade
Tries: Watson, Steward
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The festive season has already brought the teams gifts, as they both have a 100% record in the Champions Cup; but they will be looking to kick-start their Premiership campaign this weekend.
The strange nature of the Premiership this season means every point is crucial, and both teams will see this as an opportunity to claim five points and rise up the table. The sides come into the match separated by just three points, but a win for either side could propel them into the top four for Christmas.
The Chiefs will be pumped up to defend their fortress. Sandy Park has regained the aura it once had; and Exeter are unbeaten in their last 23 matches at home.
Rob Baxter’s men have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including the late heroics so will be full of confidence ahead of the game.
Exeter have come out all guns blazing for their festive celebration, with the red hot Henry Slade the focal point of the side.
He will rekindle his centre partnership with Ollie Devoto, who returns to the starting line-up. They form a formidable looking backline alongside Tommy Wyatt, Ben Hammersley Rory O’Loughlin, Harvey Skinner and Tom Cairns.
The pack will also be vital for the Chiefs if they want to secure the five points; and Rob Baxter has turned to the weaponised front-row of Ehren Painter, Scott Sio and Jack Yeandle. Dafydd Jenkins again skippers the side from second-row alongside Lewis Pearson, and Ethan Roots returns to the side. Jacques Vermulan and Greg Fisilau complete the starting unit.
They also have a loaded bench, including Dan Frost, Rusi Tuima and Stu Townsend.
However, Leicester will be relishing the opportunity to spoil the Sandy Park Christmas party.
Leicester started the season slowly under new boss Dan McKeller, but they are now basking in a glorious run of form. The Tigers are unbeaten since early November, and in that time have romped to victories over the likes of Northampton Saints, the Stormers and most recently Stade Francais. Will they be the ones to end Exeter’s unbeaten run at home?
Dan McKeller has met fire with fire for their trip to the South West, as he names a very strong team. The back-line is loaded with international talent, with Ben Youngs, Handre Pollard, Anthony Watson and Freddie Steward all included. Former Chiefs man Solomone Kata combines with Dan Kelly in a heavy duty midfield, and Josh Bassett completes the back division.
The pack also includes plenty of quality, as Julian Montoya, Dan Cole, Ollie Chessum and Jasper Wiese all make the side. George Martin, Harry Wells and James Whitcombe are also named in the squad.
Joe Heyes and Mike Brown will be hoping to add plenty to the latter stages of the game as they are included on the bench.
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The sides now turn their attention to Headingley, with England on the hunt for a clean sweep.
A Matty Ashton double was the difference between the sides on a wet day in West Yorkshire; but both teams had plenty of chances to score.
After a physical opening exchanges, a piece of Tonga ill-discipline created England’s first chance at points; and Matty Ashton gleefully took this. Quick hands from Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman found the Warrington Wolves winger in space, and he made no mistake as he crossed the whitewash. Harry Smith was on hand to add the extras, and the home side led 6-0.
The Wire winger was in the thick of it again, as he denied Tolutua Koula a chance to score with a brilliant diving tackle to drag the Tongan into touch.
Koula would be denied another great chance just five minutes later. The winger sliced through the England defence, but couldn’t hold onto the greasy ball and the chance went begging. To rub salt into his wounds, England would extend their lead to 8-0 from the very next set as Harry Smith slotted a goal.
Another sustained period of Tongan pressure followed, but the home side would make the next dent in the scoreboard. Mikey Lewis’ grubber kick would cause all sorts of bother on the greasy surface, and Matty Ashton took full advantage of this as he pounced to score his second try of the afternoon.
Harry Smith couldn’t add his third goal, but England took a deserved 12-0 lead into the sheds.
England were presented a golden opportunity to add another four points early in the second half. A wicked spiral kick from Harry Smith was well collected by Matty Ashton. The Wire winger found Mike McMeeken, who put in a brilliant kick for his club-mate Tom Johnstone, but he spilled the ball and Tonga escaped scot free.
They would eventually grow their lead, as Harry Smith notched another goal to make it 14-0.
With the game in the balance, the next try felt crucial; and it fell to the tourists.
A sweeping move out to the left edge found the ball in Koula’s hands, and this time he made no mistake as he dived over in the corner for his sides first points. Isaiya Katoa couldn’t add the extras, but the Tongans were right back in the game.
England very nearly hit back through Mikey Lewis, with the Hull KR halfback coming within an inch of the whitewash, but ultimately England couldn’t convert this chance.
The visitors would pile on the pressure at the end, but England would stand tall to grind out a 14-4 win and secure the Autumn series with a game to spare.
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New arrival Brad Schneider cements himself in Hull KR folklore as he repeats his late heroics from last week by slotting a drop goal to take his new employers back to Wembley for the first time since 2015.
Both teams had already won at Headingley this season. Wigan downed the Rhinos on their way to the semi-finals, and Hull KR toppled Leeds here in golden point last week, but who would leave Leeds victorious this week?
Just before kick-off, Rovers took a heavy blow as Ryan Hall withdrew from the side. This lead to a reshuffle in their backline, with Ethan Ryan moving onto the wing and Mikey Lewis moved from the bench to start at fullback.
Wigan started the better of the two. An early mistake from Louis Senior gifted the Cherry and Whites possession in the 10 meter, but a sloppy pass from Harry Smith cost them a good chance to get on the board in the first three minutes. A sustained period of pressure followed for the Warriors, however the Robins would break the deadlock.
A mistake from Jai Field gifted Hull KR the ball in Wigan territory. From the following scrum a lovely play through the backs got the ball out to Senior, who made up for his early mistake to give the East Yorkshire side the lead.
Field would also make up for his earlier error, as he sliced open the Hull KR defence to score. A nice play through the Wigan attack saw Bevan French find his partner in crime to scamper over and pull the sides level. Harry Smith slotted the kick and Wigan found themselves in front.
The next try felt crucial, and the Robins would come closest. An interception from Shaun Kenny-Dowall turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye and started a sustained period of pressure from Willie Peters side. Wigan errors gifted Hull sets in enemy territory but they couldn’t convert these into points. Could this come back to haunt the Rovers?
Wigan got an easy get out card as Hull KR knocked the ball on, and then back to back penalties found Harry Smith with a chance to extend the Cherry and Whites lead at the break, which he took to give them a four point lead going into the sheds.
The Warriors got off to the worst possible start. Joe Shorrocks was sent for an early bath following a high tackle on Mikey Lewis. Wigan are no strangers to playing with 12 men though, after all they beat Warrington in the last round with 12 on the field; but would the same happen again?
The red card seemed to energise the Warriors. They dominated the next 10 minutes, and earned the reward as Harry Smith added two more points, but it could have been more. French and Kenny-Dowall collided as they went for the ball in the in-goal area, which earned the penalty and saw the Rovers captain sent to the sin-bin, but no try was awarded.
Hull KR were starved of possession for the early period in the half, but they eventually got a foothold in the game. They had plenty of chances, but would come up short on two occasions.
They would eventually get the break through their pressure deserved though, as Ethan Ryan slid over in the corner following great work from Brad Schneider. Schneider was on hand to slot the tricky kick to pull the scores level. This try brought the 9000 strong Hull KR fans back into full voice, and it felt like a momentum shifter in the contest.
Wigan could easily have been taken down to 11 men, as Abbas Miski put in a high tackle on Tom Opacic; however it was only deemed a penalty, but this only fuelled the tension in the tie.
More controversy followed as Wigan forced a goal line dropout, but replays seemed to show a Wigan player had interferred in the build up. This set the Warriors up perfectly for the drop goal, but French wasn’t able to execute. Could the Robins work themselves into a position to win it?
The Robins worked the ball down to a great position, however it would be their turn to miss an opportunity to secure their place at Wembley as Brad Schneider knocked the ball on. The scores remained level and we were destined for Golden Point.
As was the case last week, Brad Schneider was the hero in Golden Point as he slotted the drop goal to take his new side to Wembley to face the Leopards.
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