Robins bob into play-offs

Dobson: a try and three goals in a thrilling win for the Robins

Hull KR clinched the final berth in the Super League play-offs with a thrilling 26-24 triumph over Castleford at Craven Park.

The on-song Robins clinched an eighth win in their last nine outings to make sure they, and not the Tigers, would finish the regular season in eighth spot.

However they were pushed hard by their rivals in a see-saw contest between two clubs who will both have new coaches at the helm next season.

In the end it was Rovers' Justin Morgan who was given the chance to have one more match in charge, meaning fellow Australian Terry Matterson must now pack up his desk after six years in charge of Castleford.

Patched up

It was Matterson's patched-up side, with Richard Mathers becoming the latest casualty after injuring his knee on Friday, who landed the first blow in the slug-fest, when a fumble by Michael Dobson allowed Adam Milner to set up the supporting Danny Orr to break the deadlock.

The veteran half-back also landed the conversion before Rovers finally awoke midway through the opening half, Craig Hall being put clear down the left wing by some quick passing to set up Dobson for his first try since January.

Like his rival half-back Orr, Dobson slotted over the extras to level the match at six apiece. He then landed a second conversion just three minutes later after his pass had set up Michael Vella for a farewell try at Craven Park.

The Tigers, though, hit back thanks to a moment of magic from Rangi Chase, the half-back throwing a pass back across his body as he headed in the other direction to put Richard Owen in for an easy score that Orr converted.

A Dobson penalty did edge the hosts back in front, though, and they then struck a timely blow with the final play of an absorbing half, working the ball wide from a scrum on the left for winger Sam Latus to get in.

Kris Welham came within an inch of stretching Rovers' lead even further straight after the break, the free-scoring centre letting the ball slip from his fingertips at the line, before Castleford clawed their way back on level terms.

Spinning over

Back-to-back penalties led to Steve Snitch, who would not have been playing had Mathers been fit, spinning his way over for his first try of the season.

Rovers might have thought that Jake Webster's score that followed in the right corner was enough to finally see off their opponents, only for their rivals to climb off the canvas again and come back swinging.

Joe Arundel picked off a pass nearly on his own line and carried the ball deep into Hull KR territory and on the next play Jordan Thompson crossed out wide. Orr kicked his fourth goal of the night, making it 24-22 to the visitors.

However the knockout blow was finally landed nine minutes from time when Latus dived over in the right corner, edging the Robins back ahead.

This time they managed to hang on too, meaning their season goes on for at least another week. The Tigers, in contrast, now have the winter to lick their wounds.