Leigh Leopards stun Hull KR in thrilling clash at Craven Park

Hull KR hosted Leigh Leopards tonight with the Robins aiming to start a Super League season with three wins for the first time ever.

Willie Peters’ men had been impressive in their two wins so far and this was on paper the easiest of their three opening games with the visitors winless after two.

Leigh were also on a shorter turnaround and had dealt with issues returning from Perpignan which stacked the odds further against them, whilst Rovers had some returning stars.

Despite being named in the 21-man squad Lachlan Coote missed out on the match day 18, however Ryan Hall and Rhys Kennedy were fit to return.

RD 3….let's do this! 👊🔥#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/0NsPFiyTFn

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) March 3, 2023

Leigh benefited from the return of hooker Edwin Ipape with new signing Joe Shorrocks making his debut for the Leythers.

📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 📋

Adrian Lam has locked in his team for our Round 3 clash against @hullkrofficial this evening. 🔒

𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦. #Leythers | @homestogether pic.twitter.com/aEHdPYNZva

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) March 3, 2023

It was the Robins who started off best as they forced a penalty via a dropped kick and then capitalised with captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall getting on the scoresheet for a fourth time this season.

The two sides traded scores throughout the first half 25 minutes to make it 12-12 with Tom Amone and Tom Briscoe crossing for the visitors whilst Mikey Lewis scored off a scrum for Rovers.

Rovers did go into half-time with a 19-12 lead though thanks to a James Batchelor try and a Jordan Abdull drop goal on the hooter.

The Robins lead at the break. 💥#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/EABjfSviqC

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) March 3, 2023

Josh Charnley scored within 10 minutes of the break which brought the game back within one point at 19-18.

Man of Steel frontrunner Jordan Abdull added to his brilliant start to this campaign when he extended the lead on the hour mark, darting in to make the game 25-18.

The final 20 minutes saw both sides trade blows and the game hung in the balance right until the end following a second Tom Briscoe try and a fourth Ben Reynolds conversion to make it 25-24.

Jordy pulling the strings tonight 💯#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/jGjDydx3UE

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) March 3, 2023

Despite Abdull being named as player of the match it was Josh Charnley who stole the show when he scored in the 79th minute to win the game for the Leopards 30-25.

It was Charnley’s second of the game and secured the Leopards their first win on their return to Super League, and also ended KR’s unbeaten start under Willie Peters.

COME ONN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 in partnership with @homestogether. ⏱️#Leythers pic.twitter.com/6VKNM3nyR7

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) March 3, 2023