Hull KR 12-6 Widnes: Rovers back in Super League
Last Updated: 10/09/17 3:23pm
Hull KR are back in Super League following a day of high drama in the Super 8s Qualifiers.
Eleven months on from suffering the heartbreak of defeat in the Million-Pound Game, Rovers secured an immediate return to the top flight with two rounds to spare thanks to a nail-biting 12-6 victory over Widnes at KCOM Craven Park.
That followed an equally tense 32-30 win by Warrington over Leigh which ensured Tony Smith's side keep their place in Super League and leaves Widnes to battle it out with Leigh and Catalans Dragons for the other automatic place.
The outcome of Hull KR coach Tim Sheens' 700th club match was decided by an 80-metre interception try from winger Ryan Shaw, who picked off a pass from Widnes second rower Matt Whitley to break up a dangerous attack and sprint unopposed for the match-winning score.
It brought to an end Widnes' three-match winning run but there was never much to choose between the sides in an absorbing encounter watched by a crowd of 8,227.
In a cagey opening, Rovers took the lead when Jamie Ellis opted to kick a penalty after Widnes had declined a similar option at the other end, but the visitors scored the first try midway through the first half.
Winger Ryan Ince regathered possession from Danny Craven's high kick and second rower Chris Houston took his offload to get loose forward Hep Cahill over for his second try of the season which was converted by Lloyd White.
Craven, who was not in coach Denis Betts' initial 19-man squad, hardly looked fit but his heavily-bandaged right knee did not appear to hamper his kicking, which helped keep the Vikings on top for much of the first half.
Hull KR gradually began to get the measure of their visitors, though, and hooker Shaun Lunt went close after Jordan Abdull, back in the side after a three-month absence with a broken foot, and Maurice Blair forced goal-line
drop-outs.
Already without full-back Rhys Hanbury, Widnes lost second-choice Corey Thompson with concussion two minutes before the break and they conceded a try to centre Thomas Minns a minute later following a superb one-handed pass out of a three-man tackle by prop Mose Masoe.
Ellis converted from the touchline to give his side an 8-6 half-time lead and Widnes' injury woes continued in the second half when Craven was forced off with a head knock.
That meant winger Stef Marsh taking over the jinxed full-back role until Craven passed his head test and was able to return for the last 16 minutes.
With defences on top, Ellis sought to put more points on the board with a long-range penalty but he was wide and the game was eventually settled by Shaw's opportunism.
