Hull KR stun Leeds Rhinos in golden point

Debutant Brad Schneider was the hero for the Robins as he slotted the crucial drop goal to secure the two points.

Schneider’s boot was the difference, but tries from Tom Opacic, Louis Senior and the main man himself guided the Robins to victory, and ultimately get a two point buffer over the Rhinos in the league table.

The stage was set for a tense encounter between the resurgent Rhinos and the Robins. A win for both sides would see them enter the top six, and put some breathing room between them and the chasing pack; but who could do it on a cold, wet Friday night in Leeds?

The teams would have been excused for a slow start, but it was anything but as three tries were scored in the first 15 minutes.

Hull KR got the first, as Brad Schneider scored within five minutes. The new arrival was put through a gaping hole by Shaun Kenny-Dowell to notch his first try in his new colours. Rowan Milnes added the extras to give the Robins a six point lead.

However the Rhinos would respond quickly. They nearly broke through via the boot of Aidan Sezer, however his kick was batted away by Ethan Ryan, otherwise it was a shoe in for Ash Handley in the corner. But the Rhinos wouldn’t be held out for long, as Jarrod O’Connor sniped from the ruck to put the Rhinos on the board. Rhyse Martin slotted the conversion and the scores were tied.

The Robins would retake the lead pretty sharply though. Another good set found the Robins deep in enemy territory, and this time Schneider was the creator as his kick caused havoc for the Leeds defence, and Tom Opacic reaped the rewards as he pounced on the ball to score. Milnes was again on hand to add the two and Hull led 12-6.

The next try felt crucial in the game. If Hull KR scored it they would have a handsome lead, however a Rhinos try would make it all even.

It would be the visitors who scored this all important try. Quick play through the Hull KR backline got the ball to Louis Senior, who went over in the corner to grow the Robins lead to 10 points. Could the Rhinos respond?

They responded perfectly, as Corey Johnson went over. A break from Nene Macdonald created a 2-on-1, and he was able to connect with Johnson for the Rhinos second of the night. Martin was again able to add the conversion.

On the hooter, Milnes made up for the missed conversion as he slotted a penalty goal to give Hull KR a deserved six point lead at the break.

The Rhinos dominated the opening exchanges of the second half. They got an early reprieve as Ash Handley intercepted a pass on his own line to bring the Rhinos out of danger, however this helped them get much more of a foothold in the game. A repeat set in Hull KR’s 20, and a scrum 10 meters out gave them chances to pull level, but they couldn’t take them

Their early dominance was finally rewarded though as Handley scored his 100th Super League try. The winger latched onto Aiden Sezer’s grubber. Martin slotted his third kick of the evening and the scores were even.

With the scores level, both teams shifted to a more direct approach, but could anyone break the stalemate?

Leeds came the closest as they let two chances go unconverted. The first came through Rhyse Martin as he danced through the Hull KR defence on the last tackle but he was held up, however the second was the easiest. Cam Smith burst through the tackle deep in Hull KR territory and got an offload away to Sezer, but the halfback couldn’t hold onto the ball and the chance went begging.

Leeds had one more opportunity to seal the win. Aidan Sezer set himself up for a crucial drop goal in the dying embers but the play was pulled back for a knock on. The game was headed to golden point.

Leeds were their own worst enemy in golden point. A spilt ball gave the Robins the perfect opportunity to secure the win, but Schneider’s drop goal hits the bar. However he wouldn’t have to wait long to get another chance as the visitors were awarded a scrum 20 meters out. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again as he slotted the second kick to seal the 19-18 win for the Robins.