Rovers hold off Bulls

Hull KR held on for a hard-earned 20-18 victory over Bradford Bulls at Craven Park on Sunday.

Tries from Peter Fox, Clint Newton and Ben Cockayne, combined with four goals from Paul Cooke, proved just enough for the hosts.

Bradford piled on the pressure late in the game, Paul Sykes and David Solomona both scoring tries in the final quarter, but fell just short.

Opposing wingers Fox and Semi Tadulala traded tries in the opening five minutes.

Fox crossed with just two minutes on the clock after collecting Ben Fisher's kick to the corner, while Tadulala was quickly in at the other end.

Ben Jeffries' long pass put Tadulala over in the corner and Iestyn Harris matched Cooke's earlier touchline conversion to level matters at 6-6.

Newton try

Cooke edged Rovers' 8-6 in front with a sweetly-struck penalty and then created his side's second try for Newton.

Newton collected the stand off's reverse pass in full stride and spun away from Dave Halley's tackle to cross the whitewash. Cooke's conversion opened a 14-6 lead.

Bradford wasted the opportunity to claw points back before half-time when Wayne Godwin's kick proved too strong for James Evans.

Rovers weathered an early second-half storm and a penalty for a high tackle by Bradford hooker Terry Newton - in his first game back from suspension - gave them breathing space.

After James Webster had been held up over the line, Cooke created Rovers' third try with with another fine kick that Cockayne collected and touched down.

Cooke added the extras and at that stage the hosts led 20-6, but they were put under pressure when Newton was sent to the sin-bin for a late challenge on Jeffries.

The Bulls made the most of their extra man with Sykes scoring from a Terry Newton pass and Harris adding the extra two to reduce their deficit to 20-12 with 18 minutes left.

Despite enjoying plenty of possession and territory it was not until the last minute that Solomona breached the line again for the Bulls and, despite another Harris goal, it was just too late.