Burgess’ double helps Robins exact sweet revenge over Leigh
KR BOOK SEMI-FINAL PLACE AT EXPENSE OF CUP HOLDERS
Hull KR are one win away from a return to Wembley after coming out on the other side of an enthralling battle with Leigh Leopards. In a repeat of last year’s Challenge Cup Final, it was the Robins who took the honours in another classic between these two sides, winning 26-14 and now face Wigan Warriors.
This was a classic Challenge Cup clash, two sides leaving nothing on the field to ensure they got the win.
It was full of brilliance, controversy and emotion. But most importantly for Hull KR, they advanced.
Credit to Leigh, who more than played their part in the spectacle, their defence of the trophy is over, but their heads can be held high.
But what a win for Rovers, who arguably had their toughest test of the season here and came through it.
They had difficult moments and adversity to face, but they overcame it. They’re now in another semifinal.
Willie Peters made four changes to the side that defeated London
Broncos the week before.
Jez Litten, Joe Burgess and Dean Hadley were all recalled after being rested and there was a first appearance of the season for Leo Tennison after an impressive outing for Featherstone Rovers last week.
They replaced Louis Senior, Ben
Reynolds, Corey Hall and Sam Luckley.
It was a frantic start to the game, with both sides creating chances. Ryan Hall made a superb cover tackle to deny Brad Dwyer after a
Kai O’donnell break, racing from the other end of the field to stop him metres out. From the next set, Hall tried to release Niall Evalds after a break but the fullback couldn’t keep hold of his pass.
But the try came on nine minutes, and what a score it was.
Joe Burgess embarked on what appeared to be a simple yardage carry.
However, he showed dazzling footwork to step Tom Amone and break through the line, then beating Matt Moylan for pace to score an 80-metre solo try.
Mikey Lewis couldn’t convert, and a few moments later, Rovers were behind.
After Evalds dropped the ball under pressure, Leigh worked their way forward and after a neat play constructed by Lachlan Lam and Moylan, O’donnell caught the Robins defence cold to charge over from 10 metres out. Moylan’s conversion gave the holders a twopoint lead.
In truth, Leigh looked more dangerous in the period thereafter, constantly probing down the left and forcing Rovers to end their sets in a scruffy manner due to their kick pressure.
The hosts had a try disallowed when former Robin Frankie Halton lost the ball when being barged behind the try-line, but Elliot Minchella was deemed to have stolen the ball.
That was a fair call, but the decision to disallow a second try was much more controversial.
Hadley had a try ruled out after he went over. It was adjudged that the pass from Minchella was forward. However, replays suggest it was a harsh call.
Leigh rubbed salt in the wounds a minute or so after, with Moylan kicking a penalty goal after Rovers knocked on and they were then penalised from breaking from the scrum too early. It meant Leigh had an 8-4 lead at half-time, with the wind in their favour heading into the second half.
But Rovers’ response after the break was excellent. They came out with more intent, more energy and better execution.
After forcing an error out of Zak Hardaker, Tyrone May produced an excellent cut out ball to expose the visitors, with Peta Hiku giving Burgess enough space to score his second.
Lewis’ excellent touchline conversion gave his side the lead, and his next kick was much simpler when Kelepi Tanginoa scored under the sticks after running a superb line to breach the Leigh defence from Lewis’ short pass. Suddenly, they had a two-score lead.
The game appeared out of sight when they ‘scored’ on the next set, May finishing off a clever left-edge move after Hall kicked back in-field.
However, it was ruled out because Jez Litten was ‘downtown,’ never onside from the play the ball.
That meant Leigh got a penalty on halfway and they scored from it, with Umyla Hanley finding space down the wing to beat Hall and score. Moylan’s kick meant the lead was only two, rather than 14, a huge swing.
What followed was a nervy period, though both teams still went blood and thunder, chancing their arm looking for points.
Another score arrived on 71 minutes, and it was to the Robins.
After a knock-on against Leigh on their own line, Rovers shifted the ball right and after backing off just a bit too much, Evalds was able to squeeze over the line and stretch over.
Lewis’ missed conversion meant it was just a six-point lead heading into the final eight minutes.
Leigh gave everything to get back into it but in the end, they chanced their arm and it backfired.
On the last play of the game they threw a looping ball, but May intercepted, gave the ball to Minchella and he scored under the sticks, sparking jubilant scenes around Craven Park.