Hull KR are now just one point away from winning the League Leaders’ Shield after their 18-4 win over Hull FC at Craven Park.
Here’s our talking points.
KR all but there
Given Wigan Warriors won on Friday night, Hull KR could never mathematically win the league against the Black and Whites but they’re all but there now. The gap stands at four points with two games to go and Rovers’ superior points difference effectively makes that five points.
They’ll wrap that up with a win over Wakefield Trinity next Saturday.
It all started so well for KR, who dominated the early stages of the contest against the Black and Whites and grabbed the lead as Noah Booth got over in the corner.
Arthur Mourgue missed two first half penalties though to ensure the scoreline remained 4-0 until Jez Litten got over in the second half.
Jack Broadbent got KR’s third, slipping through a hole left by Cade Cust, who left his post to get wrapped up with Mikey Lewis. Tom Briscoe scored in the corner for Hull but Tom Davies made sure of the result by touching down in the corner with four minutes remaining.
Litten for England
We made this point last week and we’ll make it again: Jez Litten simply has to play for England in the Ashes this autumn. He’s the best hooker in the competition right now and he showed why again against his former club.
He was electric against the Black and Whites, with his deception around the ruck getting him over for the decisive try early in the second half, scooting out of dummy half and squeezing over the line under the sticks. He kicked well, dictated play and kept a lid on things when things threatened to boil over.
Defensively he was outstanding as well, making tackle after tackle. Shaun Wane has options but Litten is his best.
Huge decision
Just before the break, the biggest refereeing decision of the game came as Mikey Lewis touched down after appearing to strip the ball in a one on one tackle from Cade Cust. Lewis raced 90m to finish in style and referee Liam Moore made on the on-field decision of try before sending it upstairs for Jack Smith to assist.
Smith spent two or three minutes assessing the footage only to rule out the effort. It was the correct call, with Lewis clearly knocking the ball on into Cust as he stripped him of possession, with the ball bouncing back off his chest onto the Hull man.
The frustration came from the amount of time it took to reach that decision, which most could see in the first two or three watches.
Disciplinary action
It’s fair to assume Yusuf Aydin can expect a charge from the Match Review Panel on Monday afternoon. The forward had a busy game but he let himself down with a clear hip drop tackle that could have caused some serious damage to Arthur Mourgue.
The forward dropped to the ground and pulled Mourgue down with him, trapping his legs underneath his body. Mourgue screamed out in pain but he was fortunately able to continue.
Elliot Minchella was shown a yellow with around 20 minutes of the game left for what was clear shoulder to head contact on Lewis Martin. The loss of height provided mitigation but it still warranted a sin bin.
Jordan Rapana was sin-binned a minute or so from the end for a high shot.
It’s not over for Hull
The Black and Whites have an army of key players sat on the sidelines, but if they play like that against Warrington Wolves and Catalans Dragons over the next fortnight, they might just find themselves in the six.
John Cartwright’s side were gritty, determined and full of heart, despite the odds being stacked against them at Craven Park. They got stuck into KR, slowed play down and they had chances to get over the line, particularly in the first half.
Wakefield Trinity sit a point ahead of them in the league table and they’ll be reeling from their loss at Castleford Tigers, but they have Hull KR and a game Salford Red Devils team still to play. It’s not over.
