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Ben Crooks makes statement with surprising statistic despite defeat to Leeds Rhinos

It would be easy to assume that Hull KR were poor offensively against Leeds on Friday, however that wasn’t entirely the case.

Granted the Robins often shot themselves in the foot with needless penalties as well as a number of errors but they also continually carved open Leeds especially down the right with Jordan Abdull combining masterfully with Lachlan Coote before the fullback had to go off with a HIA which could see him miss next week’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield.

Leeds were forced to make some despairing tackles to deny the Robins including one from Liam Tindall to stop juggernaut Ryan Hall down the Robins’ left following a break down the right whilst Jack Broadbent was also called into action to stop a breaking Ben Crooks later in the game.

Crooks was exceptional on the night making a try saving tackle of his own earlier in the contest on Ash Handley but what was truly impressive was the inroads he continually made down the right. He made a huge 264 metres which was nearly over 100 more than what Leeds’ highest metre making made on the night in Rhyse Martin who finished the game with 159 metres. It was also well above the impressive totals of Ryan Hall (144), Ethan Ryan (181) and Matt Parcell (110).

Crooks also made two line breaks making a statement with his performance after being in and out of the side since the start of the season having to fight with Ethan Ryan, Sam Wood and Brad Takairangi for a place in the side.

To produce such a performance in a Robins side not nearly at their attacking best deserves credit and could see him nail down a place as Tony Smith’s go to right centre and with a semi-final and potentially a final on the horizon, that would be massive boost for Crooks.

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