Hull KR moved another step close to claiming the League Leaders’ Shield as they edged out St Helens 12-8 at Craven Park.
Here’s our talking points.
Rovers grind it out
This wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but Rovers got the job done against a stubborn St Helens outfit. Let us be clear, this really was a tough watch at times, with neither side finding opportunities to attack for large periods.
That’s partly due to some ferocious defending from both sides, but largely it was because what felt like constant visits to the video referee, particularly in the first half. As such, highlights were few and far between at Craven Park, with Rhyse Martin going closest to getting over the line before the video referee concluded he was short, after taking a very long look at it.
As such, the score was 2-2 at half-time with both sides kicking penalties late in the first half. Martin slotted three more two-pointers in the second half before someone else finally got on the Rovers scoresheet as Joe Burgess got over in the corner. Mikey Lewis laid the platform with a superb 40/20 and a bit of attacking shape opened up the space for the winger to finish.
Deon Cross got over late to add some jeopardy to the final few minutes of the game, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Rovers will be six points clear for 24 hours at least, with Wigan Warriors facing Catalans Dragons on Saturday night, but with three games to go, there’s a chance they could wrap up that League Leaders’ Shield next week against Hull FC.
Litten for England
If Friday night was a head to head battle for the hooker spot this autumn, Shaun Wane’s decision would be straightforward. Daryl Clark had a good game for the Saints but Jez Litten was the best player on the park.
The hooker was everywhere defensively, ironing out Saints players with regularity and on the other side of the ball, he was a real livewire. He’s in superb from at present and as Wane ponders his final selections, he has to be in the squad.
Knowles blow
Morgan Knowles has been St Helens’ best player this season, but Paul Wellens will be without him for the derby next week when the Saints take on Wigan Warriors. The forward was caught high by Rhyse Martin inside the first 15 minutes of the contest before hitting his head off the turf with force.
The contact more than warranted the yellow Martin received and it was clear that Knowles would not be returning as he staggered off the field, with the help of St Helens’ medical staff. Because the injury was caused by foul play, Saints activated their 18th man in George Whitby at Craven Park. They missed the loose-forward, though and his absence will certainly be felt next week.
A busy night for Chris Kendall
Chris Kendall and his video referee Jack Smith had plenty to do in the first half at Craven Park with two players being sin-binned and a raft of decisions being sent up for assessment.
The first big call came inside the opening 15 minutes as Martin was probably correctly shown a yellow for a high shot on Knowles. George Delaney met the same fate when he caught Eribe Doro high. Both incidents were different but on both occasions a yellow card was probably the correct call.
What we do have a problem with is the sheer amount of time every decision took to make, whether it was a captain’s challenge or checking potential tries, every decision took a needlessly long time and it spoiled the game. It was clunky, stop-start and impossible for any side to build pressure due to the amount of stoppages. The first half took 57 minutes alone to complete. Something needs to change.
