Morgan fury as weakened KR roll over

Abstract

The home side ran in nine tries to Rovers' two, and it was enough to upset Rovers coach Justin Morgan who refused to speak to the media afterwards.

[John Duffy] was heavily involved in the home side's second try when he tapped behind Rovers line. Ben Cockayne scampered across to kill the ball, but he was beaten to it by [Carl Rudd]. Rudd made no mistake with the goal.

Rovers offered very little going forward while defensive Whitehaven punished any mistakes they were forced into. Rovers' discipline was called into question after penalties were conceded on a regular basis.

Whitehaven staked their claims as possible Grand Finalists by beating league leaders Hull KR 48-12 at the Recreation Grounds.

Rovers still need a point to make sure of first place in the table after Widnes' 78-28 demolition of Oldham.

And if Rovers continue to chop and change the side from week to week, they may have to wait a bit longer for that point.

Yesterday they made 11 changes to the side that beat Rochdale last week - and it showed.

The home side ran in nine tries to Rovers' two, and it was enough to upset Rovers coach Justin Morgan who refused to speak to the media afterwards.

It was his side's fourth defeat this season, after beginning with a club record 24 straight wins.

While it was a second string side, Morgan cannot afford to lose any more games. But the 48-12 victory will help build momentum for Dave Rotheram's side as they prepare for the play-offs.

Meanwhile, a disappointed Morgan rounded up his troops and left the Recreation Ground without giving any interviews to the press who had made the eight-hour round trip to Cumbria.

The Robins coach rested a number of key players but even with a good number of regulars, they were unable to stop Whitehaven who have lost just once at home in the last three seasons.

Rovers will hope they win promotion in October because they won't want to come to the Recreation Ground next season. This heavy defeat comes on the back of a 51-0 defeat here last year.

Morgan decided to keep his cards close to his chest and rest the likes of skipper James Webster, leading try scorer Byron Ford and others including Ben Fisher, David Tangata-Toa, Jon Goddard and Jason Netherton.

Michael Smith captained a very youthful side with seven under-21s involved. The Welham brothers occupied each wing while Dave Wilson and Kirk Netherton also started.

Lee Gomersall and Jon Fallon were joined on the bench by another debutant, Aaron Bradley.

Rovers arrived at the ground just over an hour before kick-off and it showed in the early stages of the match.

Whitehaven, who had their application for Super League rejected last week, had to do without Carl Sice who was last week jailed for 90 days for fighting in a Whitehaven nightclub.

Aaron Smith moved to hooker for Dave Rotheram's side who needed the points in their quest to finish third.

And it showed as they started well. John Lebbon finished well in the left-hand corner after getting a pass from John Duffy. Carl Rudd missed the touchline conversion.

Duffy was heavily involved in the home side's second try when he tapped behind Rovers line. Ben Cockayne scampered across to kill the ball, but he was beaten to it by Rudd. Rudd made no mistake with the goal.

Ten minutes gone and Rovers were 10-0 down.

Justin Morgan abandoned his vantage point in the stand to come down to the dug out. He was clearly unhappy with what he was seeing as Makali Aizue bore the brunt of his frustrations.

Rovers' were forced to play the final 65 minutes without the services of centre Jon Whittle who injured himself after making a tackle.

And things got worse for Rovers mid-way through the half when Steve Maden capitalised on an error from Liam Welham.

Rudd's kick looked to be covered by the young winger, but he dropped the ball for Maden to score a simple try. Rudd added the extras for a 16-0 lead.

Rovers offered very little going forward while defensive Whitehaven punished any mistakes they were forced into. Rovers' discipline was called into question after penalties were conceded on a regular basis.

From another penalty deep inside their own half, Derry Eilbeck got over the advantage line. After selling Liam Welham a beautiful dummy, he drew full-back Cockayne in before offloading to a try-hungry Maden who grounded under the posts.

Rudd's boot made it 22-0 and he was back converting on the stroke of half-time. By this time, Justin Morgan was making his way back to the changing rooms. Graeme Mattinson's fashioned the score in midfield with a clever pass inside to the supporting Leroy Joe who took the ball home from 35 metres.

Rovers had it all to do in the second half trailing 28-0. It was all about restoring some pride on the scoreboard.

And they did. After Graeme Mattinson stormed over in the 43rd minute, Matty Brooks scored his first try in Rovers colours.

He'd have wanted it to have been in more favourable circumstances, but it was still a good try. He combined well with Michael Smith who delivered the ball back to the scrum-half who touched down under the posts.

Damien Couturier cut the deficit to 34-6 with the conversion.

Any hopes of a second half comeback were thwarted when Howard Hill sidestepped Ben Cockayne to score. Rudd added the extras again before Rovers crossed for a second time in the 57th minute.

On the last tackle, Andy Ellis darted through the covering defence to score. Couturier was again accurate with the kick.

In the final 20 minutes, Whitehaven went over for two more scores. Spencer Miller got the first before John Lebbon, who began the scoring, finished the scoring in the 77th minute.

Rovers now have a week off due to Saturday's Challenge Cup final and Morgan will want to field his strongest side for the final two games in order to build some momentum going into the play-offs.