Rovers continue winning streak

Abstract

Doncaster went close from the kick-off before Rovers took the lead with their first real attack. Chris Ross was denied close to the line while winger Danny Mills was eventually caught after he intercepted Jon Steel's intended pass inside to [Leroy Rivett]. Mills made 40m before Ben Cockayne dragged him to the floor.

Ten minutes before the break, [Scott Murrell] increased the [Robins]' lead with a simple try. James Webster directed play to the right, but when that didn't work he switched play back to the left. His pass picked out Murrell and the Doncaster defence opened up. The stand-off failed to convert his 12th score of the season but Rovers still led 14-6.

The scrum-half pulled a rabbit out of the hat just as Rovers were under the cosh and facing another Doncaster attack. Webster read the play superbly and stepped in to pick off Chris Ross' pass outside for [Craig Lawton]. As soon as the little general got his hands on the ball on the half way line, there was no stopping him. Murrell added the extras for a 26-18 lead with 16 minutes remaining.

Hull Kr extended their club record to 19 straight wins as they survived their toughest National League One challenge with a far from convincing 28-24 win at Belle Vue.

Rovers were made to fight every inch of the way by a stubborn Doncaster side, who knew this was the perfect opportunity to end a formidable winning sequence.

Robins coach Justin Morgan had spoken about the need to "win ugly" in the run up to the game and his side will probably never win an "uglier" game.

Such is the demand to see Rovers this season, the kick-off had to be delayed five minutes to accommodate the massive crowd.

Morgan made four changes to his Challenge Cup quarter-final winning side.

Leroy Rivett, Andy Ellis, Phil Joseph and James Garmston replaced Gareth Morton, Ben Fisher, Michael Smith and Sebastien Martins.

For Ellis and Joseph it was a rare chance to show Morgan what they can do in a game environment.

Tony Miller included both players who spent last season in Hull as ex-Robin Kane Epati lined up on the wing, while prop Paul McNicholas, signed from Hull FC in the close season, played in the front row.

The Lakers came into the game refreshed after a ten-day break from action due to Rovers' involvement in the cup.

Miller's side were hoping it would be a case of after the Lord Mayor's show as far as Rovers were concerned after their 40-36 win over Warrington. But for Rovers, it was a chance to open up a four-point gap at the top of the table.

At the start of the game, players, officials and supporters paid tribute to Doncaster kitman Jack Wilkieson who passed away two weeks ago.

Doncaster went close from the kick-off before Rovers took the lead with their first real attack. Chris Ross was denied close to the line while winger Danny Mills was eventually caught after he intercepted Jon Steel's intended pass inside to Leroy Rivett. Mills made 40m before Ben Cockayne dragged him to the floor.

Twenty seconds later, in the same set of six, Doncaster were guilty of a poor pass that went to ground. Ellis reacted quickest and took the ball 95m for his first try of the season.

Scott Murrell made it a 6-0 lead with just seven minutes gone.

Doncaster had a try disallowed when Epati thought he had scored against his former side, but Shad Royston's pass to him was deemed to be forward by referee Ben Thaler.

Once again they were left to rue their misfortune as Rover s made them pay less than 60 seconds later.

Scott Murrell chipped over Doncaster's defence for Cockayne to chase. The full-back gathered the ball in and off-loaded to left centre Jon Goddard who scored his 15th try of the season from 10m out.

Murrell was off target with the conversion attempt.

Leroy Rivett thought he had extended Rovers' lead further when he danced his way down the right hand touchline, but he was flagged by the linesman for stepping into touch.

The home fans eventually had something to cheer when Royston crossed even though it looked like Graham Holroyd obstructed David Tangata-Toa. Holroyd converted and the score was 10-6.

Ten minutes before the break, Scott Murrell increased the Robins' lead with a simple try. James Webster directed play to the right, but when that didn't work he switched play back to the left. His pass picked out Murrell and the Doncaster defence opened up. The stand-off failed to convert his 12th score of the season but Rovers still led 14-6.

Doncaster never gave up and they were rewarded three minutes before the interval when Royston went over for his second try, under the posts. Graham Holroyd - the leading scorer in National League rugby - made no mistake with the conversion to leave just two points between the sides at the half-time break.

It was not the best 40 minutes of rugby Rovers have played this season with too many errors in a stop-start half that included nine penalties and ten scrums.

Rovers started the second half with a completed set and a James Webster chip deep into Doncaster territory. However, a penalty for offside negated all that good work and presented the home side with a great opportunity to take the lead, but they knocked on near the line.

Craig Lawton can consider himself lucky not to have been sent off for his cheap shot on Cockayne behind the referee's back. Cockayne chased Webster's chip over the top, but Lawton laid Cockayne out with a forearm to his face. Justice was done later in the set when Tommy Gallagher darted between two defenders to score his 10th try of the season under the posts. Murrell's conversion made it 20-12.

But Doncaster were playing like a toothache ... they just wouldn't go away. Danny Mills scampered over the line wide on the left side seconds after McNicholas was held up close to the line. Holroyd nailed the conversion and there were just two points between the sides again.

Rovers looked to be tiring after their weekend exertions. Cheered on by a large vociferous band of Rovers followers, Morgan's men needed inspiration from somewhere and in James Webster they found it.

The scrum-half pulled a rabbit out of the hat just as Rovers were under the cosh and facing another Doncaster attack. Webster read the play superbly and stepped in to pick off Chris Ross' pass outside for Lawton. As soon as the little general got his hands on the ball on the half way line, there was no stopping him. Murrell added the extras for a 26-18 lead with 16 minutes remaining.

Royston was named man-of-the-match just before he rounded off his game with his hat-trick try in the 78th minute. Holroyd converted leaving Doncaster needing to score a penalty to force a draw.

But the final act came from Rovers as Scott Murrell landed a long range penalty to leave the final score standing at 28-24.

The crowd deserved a more entertaining game than they actually witnessed but that was Thaler's faulty and he probably won't be seen in Super League any day soon.